Assembly/Convention lunch ideas?

[pineapple005]

We have an assembly coming up this month and looking to change things up from the usual sandwich! Would love to hear what you usually prepare for yourself or your family for the lunch break?

[Qapla]

We have been doing the sandwich thing for a while. One thing we do is to make sure we get some "premium" lunch meat and cheese. We also get some sort of sub-roll for the bread. Something that is "bakery" quality, not "loaf" or "sandwich" bread.

 

We do NOT put condiments, tomatoes or the such when we make the sandwiches because we do not want them to be "soggy". If we want those things, we take them in a separate container.

 

Before doing the sandwiches, we used to take "crackers and cheese". We liked the Triscuits for the crackers and again, we use "quality meats and cheeses". We have the deli slice the meet and cheese thicker then used on a sandwich.

 

Many in our Circuit bring some very nice salads.

 

The biggest thing I would say is avoid anything that needs to be hot, can get soggy, is overly bland or overly spicy. Most of all, do not "scrimp" on the cost of what you take - make the meal "special" - it always tastes better that way.

[PrairieGirl]

We have done cold meatloaf sandwiches (again put together on site not at home to avoid soggy).

 

We have done salads for many years, usually a chef salad, and corn bread. Hard boiled eggs also kept seperate, and I usually shape them into something, a heart, last time I made hello kitty and teddy bear shaped eggs for the kids.

 

Last assembly  I made buffalo chicken salad (chicken salad made with Franks Hot sauce, celery and blue cheese dressing), in a tortilla, rolled up and then cut into slices-pinwheels. I've also made just with cream cheese, spinach, and lunch meat-pinwheels.

 

I've also made chicken pasta or tuna pasta salad.

 

Hummus and veggies

 

For my real little kids sometimes it's just a pb sandwich, to make thiers special I usually cut them into a shape, last time it was a train for the boy and hello kitty for the girl.

 

Dessert-I made buckeyes last time...big hit with the kids. Usually though it's fruit, like apple slices, and grapes and such. Sometimes bran muffins.

[Tcvancoops]

I usually pack a small lunch and eat awkwardly usually by myself.  I'm making a personal goal to try widening out, breaking out of my comfort zone, and sit/talk to new people.

[Shawnster]

My wife does tuna/relish spread on crackers.  I'm usually doing a sandwich, chips, snack cake and soda.  I tried a stromboli one day at the convention 2 years ago, but that did not go well at all,  We have convention at a college sports arena and eat at our seats.  The stromboli was a mess and a bad idea, but I wanted to try something different.

 

The assembly is a little different as we have an assembly hall with a cafeteria.  Still, without access to a microwave to reheat leftovers, my choices are a bit constrained.  We have a Subway and a pizza place in walking distance to the assembly hall, so I've had some hot subs on occasion.  

[PrairieGirl]

yeah In Kansas we also have to eat at our seats. In NYC we could eat at the table in the cafeteria sooo much easier, and our assembly halls do have microwaves! What most sisters do though is use good coolers, and hot bricks and towels to keep things warm. I would bring soups sometimes for that. Use the coffee pot in the morning and heat up the thermous, then put in the soup, and then wrap in towels in a cooler with a hot brick works well for hot soups. I did grilled fish hot like that once and it worked good... had it with biscuits, and apple butter.... I liked it. lol ;) I try to keep things less mess, especially with kids... having a table helps a lot, now that we have to eat at our seats it's harder. The pin wheels seem to be easier for small fingers... no crumbs, etc..

[4th Generation]

I love cold pizza and a bottle of frozen water so it stays cool all day. It's only one meal so it's not too bad.

[bagwell1987]

Erin that almost perfect isn't it? I wish I could do that cause it's perfect. 

 

I am going to take -forgive me for this- trisket and spray/can cheese and cherries/grapes/apples. I don't want a cooler or a packet of ice. I just want it to be simple and fit in a small bag in my book bag. I always pack my dinner so will make sure I have veg then. Trying so hard to keep it simple but, like John said, I want to enjoy what I take the time to eat and I really like the cheddar cheese in a can.    But the trisket is good....keeps you cleaned out.......

[4th Generation]

What's a trisket?

I like pizza because it's flat and doesn't take up much room plus it's yummy.

[PrairieGirl]

I have diabetes, so I have to make sure I pack a well rounded real meal for lunch, otherwise come afternoon, I miss the last half of the convention/assembly for getting a low blood sugar and passing out, and having to have the ambulance called (procedure for assemblies/convenitons for the past several years now when that happens) and that's so embarrassing. That has happened twice with me, and I learned my lesson... I can't go too simple...have to make sure we have all the same kind of lunches I would have at home-carb, protein, and veg/fruit.

[PrairieGirl]

I also usually at home drink water... but for assembly I can't help it, I like the flavored water, fuji apple pear water sobe... the weird thing is... except for sunday mornings on our way to meeting, I rarely if ever drink anything but water cause I don't like it. But, come a assembly or convention I look around at every one else with other drinks and for some reason I want more then just water... lol so the sobe drink does it for me.

[MizPeg]

One thing about the word lunch. It doesn't mean you have to pack away a lot of calories. I find these sandwich thins, are the perfect size, as you get full enough to feel satisfied, but don't get quite so sleepy afterwards. I have a problem with that in just about any meal. Blood sugar goes up, I go down.     

 It only takes about 20 minutes, and I am ready to go again. That sandwich, some chips, and either grapes, or cherry tomatoes go over really well.

[Qapla]

Trisket = Triscuit (Brand Name)

 

A Triscuit is a snack cracker, made by Nabisco, which takes the form of square baked whole wheat wafers. It was invented in 1900, a patent was granted in 1902, and the Shredded Wheat Company in Niagara Falls, New York began production the next year

 

We have found that what we do works for the tables at the Assembly Hall and the Arena (where we eat at our seats) for the Regional Convention.

 

A few vegetable sticks can be added

 

Of course, Scottish (scotch) Eggs would also be an option

[pineapple005]

I'm absolutely loving all these ideas! So much variety and creativity for little ones too!

[bagwell1987]

I love trisket, it's the one that I can eat that doesn't make me feel weighed down. I love it with all different kinds of hard cheeses but when it comes to CA, RC I don't know what it is, hand over the canned cheddar! Or even cheddar with bacon! And coffee, I don't drink much of it but when I do I use a little canned milk and hazelnut, just a teaspoon cause I don't really like sweet. BUT come the CA, RC I only drink it black. I'll even make it at night and 1/2 freeze it for the next day. Cold black coffee, yum.  

[4th Generation]

Thanks for that picture of the triscuit. They are a good idea too although the crumbs can be difficult to control.

I also find flat bread stuffed with chicken and salad then rolled up is delicious and easy. Or a nice container of salad with chicken or ham, a boiled egg, all in one really.

[outwalkin]

We’ve tried a few things and tend to always come back to salad. I make an individual covered container with a couple crunchy lettuces, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, mushrooms, red pepper slices, snap peas, cucumber, purple cabbage, small slices of grilled chicken, sliced mozzarella sticks… and just for assemblies. . . add cheese tortellini’s. Bring a small container of dressing to add at lunch time. Our CA (if the weather cooperates) is a tailgate party in the parking lot. Lots of talking, laughing and eating.

[Stormswift]

A sister here makes the most gorgeous curry and rice rolls made with Fijian Roti rolled up with the curry and rice inside. So if you have a nice curry and rice recipe use that and roll it up like a wrap. Quite delicious and healthy.

[shali]

Here's a link to another thread in which we discussed this - you might get more ideas reading that thread too! 

 

http://jwtalk.net/forums/topic/9059-convention-lunches/?view=findpost&p=146405&hl=%2Blunch+%2Bconvention

Edited April 23, 2015 by shali

[bobby]

I go to whole foods and by the pre-made lunch

sandwich chips cookie small drink

[Miss Bea]

I usually pack a small lunch and eat awkwardly usualoly by myself.  I'm making a personal goal to try widening out, breaking out of my comfort zone, and sit/talk to new people.

Sister, if I could, I'd be there, sitting beside you. I've been by myself. I use it to my advantage. First of all, you have really good seating options. Lots singles out there. Then, during the break, I would go down on the floor where ones are that can't get around that easy. I've had some really memorable conversations. On was with a very elderly brother, and it was many, many years ago, and that conversaton has been in my heart, and so precious. But, please don't feel awkard. Okay? That is a feeling that does you no god. You are with ones who love you. Look for someone alone. I do that, even at the hall. You, perhaps know how they feel.

Won't it be wonderful when these social situations are no more?

[Dustparticle]

 One thing we can't do is not to bring alcohol.

Edited April 25, 2015 by Dustparticle

[Hammerhead]

One Pepsi. One java mocha and five Oreo (not diet Oreo) cookies and 20 ounce red bull

[Tortuga]

One Pepsi. One java mocha and five Oreo (not diet Oreo) cookies and 20 ounce red bull

 

Plus a bag of Skittles and M&Ms?

[Hammerhead]

Plus a bag of Skittles and M&Ms?