Submitted by Vivienne Ollis
And now your asking when did making lunch and having a long lunch hour to relish your haute cuisine disappear?
Well let me hazard a guess - it was probably around the time that you yourself became a feeding machine (directly or indirectly I may add as the old breast or bottle quandary is a whole other debate. None the less, you still became a feeding machine) and thus, at this magical point in your life you somehow lost the luxury of long, healthy, relaxing lunches.
So, without meaning to torment you on purpose by bringing back those fading memories of a life post quickie-lunch, when was the last time you chose your lunch selectively from a menu? Or scanned the chiller cabinet of the local lunch hot spot for the healthiest, low carb, zero calorie wrap, sandwich or humous pot or simply just raided your own refrigerator and prepared (in silence with two hands) a delicious lunch prepared from purposefully bought ingredients?
I would answer, “I can’t remember exactly”, sound familiar? Well don’t worry, you’re not alone and we would all like to extend a warm welcome to the ‘biscuits and cup-a-soup on the go club’.
I myself have been a fully paid up member and spent two years on a similar, but slightly less satisfying diet of packet pasta and half an Oreo every lunchtime. So what’s the issue here? Well, motherhood along with being the best thing since sliced bread is also manic, stressful, hectic and probably the busiest time in your life. So yes, although you really do need quick food on the go, it is important that this is healthy and you get all the vitamins you require. More importantly its time to banish the evolved from a packet, mixed with your only spare hand lunch.
So here are 5 easy suggestions to ensure that even you are still eating on-the-go you can begin to feel like you are at last re-entering the real world of yummy lunching.
1. Pasta night for dinner? Make a couple of extra portions and store in containers in the refrigerator. Simply reheat with a dash of olive oil, sliced red peppers and a handful of rocket! Quick, easy and yum.
2. Sandwiches can be a pain to make if your short on both filling inspiration and time. So, over the weekend plan some sandwich fillings which will freeze okay. If you can make a batch of sandwiches, package them individually and store in the freezer. When you get up in the morning simply take a sandwich from the freezer, by lunch time they will be defrosted and ready for lunch on the go.
3. When boiling and mashing veggies for the little one, put some in a separate pan and simmer with salt, pepper, herbs and veggie stock. Once cooled whip with your hand mixer ( probably the same one you are using for junior) and put the whole pan in the fridge. Simply dish out at lunch for the next few days and microwave. Bing - a healthy home made winner.
4. If its been a long night / very early morning / extremely busy week, and comfort food is on the lunchtime wish list you can’t beat beans on toast. Simple, fast, delicious, full of fiber and sadly quite often forgotten about. Want to spice them up? Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce!
5. Finally its Friday - treat yourself! No worrying about lunch today, as you've been a goddess all week with your homemade quick and easy lunches. So put baby in the stroller and head to the nearest deli. All the ingredients will be fresh and healthy and the walk will also give you some fresh air and exercise.
Many thanks to Vivienne Ollis for guest posting on Mommy Modern! To learn more about and follow Vivienne, visit her here...
Twitter:
@vivienneollis
Behance:
http://www.behance.net/VivienneOllis
And now your asking when did making lunch and having a long lunch hour to relish your haute cuisine disappear?
Well let me hazard a guess - it was probably around the time that you yourself became a feeding machine (directly or indirectly I may add as the old breast or bottle quandary is a whole other debate. None the less, you still became a feeding machine) and thus, at this magical point in your life you somehow lost the luxury of long, healthy, relaxing lunches.
So, without meaning to torment you on purpose by bringing back those fading memories of a life post quickie-lunch, when was the last time you chose your lunch selectively from a menu? Or scanned the chiller cabinet of the local lunch hot spot for the healthiest, low carb, zero calorie wrap, sandwich or humous pot or simply just raided your own refrigerator and prepared (in silence with two hands) a delicious lunch prepared from purposefully bought ingredients?
I would answer, “I can’t remember exactly”, sound familiar? Well don’t worry, you’re not alone and we would all like to extend a warm welcome to the ‘biscuits and cup-a-soup on the go club’.
I myself have been a fully paid up member and spent two years on a similar, but slightly less satisfying diet of packet pasta and half an Oreo every lunchtime. So what’s the issue here? Well, motherhood along with being the best thing since sliced bread is also manic, stressful, hectic and probably the busiest time in your life. So yes, although you really do need quick food on the go, it is important that this is healthy and you get all the vitamins you require. More importantly its time to banish the evolved from a packet, mixed with your only spare hand lunch.
So here are 5 easy suggestions to ensure that even you are still eating on-the-go you can begin to feel like you are at last re-entering the real world of yummy lunching.
1. Pasta night for dinner? Make a couple of extra portions and store in containers in the refrigerator. Simply reheat with a dash of olive oil, sliced red peppers and a handful of rocket! Quick, easy and yum.
2. Sandwiches can be a pain to make if your short on both filling inspiration and time. So, over the weekend plan some sandwich fillings which will freeze okay. If you can make a batch of sandwiches, package them individually and store in the freezer. When you get up in the morning simply take a sandwich from the freezer, by lunch time they will be defrosted and ready for lunch on the go.
3. When boiling and mashing veggies for the little one, put some in a separate pan and simmer with salt, pepper, herbs and veggie stock. Once cooled whip with your hand mixer ( probably the same one you are using for junior) and put the whole pan in the fridge. Simply dish out at lunch for the next few days and microwave. Bing - a healthy home made winner.
4. If its been a long night / very early morning / extremely busy week, and comfort food is on the lunchtime wish list you can’t beat beans on toast. Simple, fast, delicious, full of fiber and sadly quite often forgotten about. Want to spice them up? Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce!
5. Finally its Friday - treat yourself! No worrying about lunch today, as you've been a goddess all week with your homemade quick and easy lunches. So put baby in the stroller and head to the nearest deli. All the ingredients will be fresh and healthy and the walk will also give you some fresh air and exercise.
Many thanks to Vivienne Ollis for guest posting on Mommy Modern! To learn more about and follow Vivienne, visit her here...
Twitter:
@vivienneollis
Behance:
http://www.behance.net/VivienneOllis
**Disclosure: This post/article may not be the views of mommymodern.com, its author(s) or its publisher. This post was submitted as a guest post feature for the entertainment for our readers and followers. Please read our full disclosure policy for more information.
RSS Feed