If you are like many folks, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The nutrition in your breakfast choices helps maintain blood glucose levels and your metabolism. We are encouraged as a society to not skip breakfast. Whether you make a healthy breakfast bowl, smoothie, oatmeal with yogurt or whatever you desire, you will likely get the nutrients your body needs.
Then comes lunch, the middle meal. Many local restaurants begin serving lunch around 11 a.m. I have many peers in community that attend working lunches. Typically, lunchtime in the United States is anywhere between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. This may not be generalized, but for the most part, people tend to plan around 30 minutes for their lunch time. Typically, people go out for a quick lunch or bring in their lunchbox from home.
Many of our fellow local business owners just don’t have time for lunch! By the time they leave their shop to go pick up lunch and answer three to four calls and emails, the joy of lunch is squashed!
Remember back in the day when you packed your lunch in the morning to take to school? You would make your sandwich, chips, fruit and a Hostess treat. I used to add a can of soda, wrapped in aluminum foil to keep cold or a thermos of juice. Then, it went in my lunchbox.
Did you know that March 10 is National Pack Your Lunch Day?
Well do I have a plan for you: Make your lunch!
I recently sponsored a couple of workshops with Kind Defined, founded by Kara Peterson, here in Prescott. There were approximately 27 kiddos and eight volunteers during a two-day camp.
We prepared fresh roasted turkey wraps on whole grain tortilla with spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese and our “dill-icious” homemade ranch dip. We also added fresh fruit, organic chips and cookie and carrot cake variety. These little individual learning birds just loved it. When asked if this type of lunch was made for them to eat at school, would they enjoy it? The answer was unanimous! Yes!
I encourage you to participate in this National Pack Your Lunch Day.
Here are some suggestions for you to pack your lunch:
Sandwich or wrap – with carrot sticks and hummus
Salad with your choice of protein and dried fruits, hard boiled eggs, veggies, legumes and seeds – keep your dressing on the side until you are ready to eat.
Leftovers from the dinner before – packaged.
Baked potato with turkey chili and sliced cucumbers
You may find this little tip enjoyable: Pack a second lunch for a co-worker or a family member.
This wonderful treat will be very much appreciated.
I am fortunate to own a commercial kitchen where our staff makes lunch every day for clients who would not have the opportunity to do so. Having fresh ingredients available daily makes the process enjoyable.
Go for a five-minute walk after eating your lunch. This will jumpstart your metabolism and get you through till dinner. Drink plenty of water, also. QCBN
By Debbie Maranville
Feel free to contact me at goodsfromthegarden@gmail.com for any ideas and suggestions. Take a picture of you eating your lunch and post it on Goods from the Garden Facebook page or email them. I would love to see your culinary lunch experiences.
Debbie Maranville is the co-owner of The Natural Healing Garden/Goods from the Garden. The Natural Healing Garden/ Goods from the Garden can be reached at 928-237-4116 or 928-237-3214 or Naturalhealinggarden@gmail.com
Leave a Reply