Mornings can be busy and mentally strenuous. Lunch is the time of day that I stop, breathe and recoup. However, sometimes I don’t have lunch until about 3 or 4 as I just keep going and seem to forget the time. Sometimes lunch is a shambles – something I put together using leftovers from the night before, or that I made quickly at 6 am that morning, knowing I won’t have time to make lunch. However, other times lunch is slow. I cook slowly, I think about what I am making and how all the ingredients are working together. I give myself time to sit outside, feel the sun on my face, enjoy the beautiful outdoors and be still. I savour each mouthful and concentrate on each bite and my chewing. It’s like meditation. I let my mind wander, I only focus on what’s on the plate or bowl in front of me, and I enjoy all the flavours and fresh ingredients.
If I don’t stop for lunch, later that day I find myself in a slump, feeling like a disorientated slug, not sure what I’m doing. My mind has too many things built up and I can’t focus on the task in front of me.
Give yourself time for lunch, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Clear some of those thoughts from your mind – plan, enjoy and breathe.
These recipes are all simple and quick. If you haven’t put them together the night before, they take no time to whip up when you do have a moment to stop and breathe.