Check out my progress on The Lunch Break—Outdated or Essential?
Earlier today I came across an article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that I found very reflective of contemporary culture. In it, “Balance Gal” discusses the question of whether lunch breaks are becoming obsolete. It seems that eating at your desk and not taking a lunch break are now indicators of efficiency, meant to impress the boss. Alas, work is more of a priority than the gastronomic experience. Tragic.
In this stage of my life, I still have the flexibility to take a break for lunch whenever I feel like it—when at school or work, I simply grab the ol’ polka dot lunchbag and head outside. I’d like to believe that I would be able to take a break for the mid-day meal in my future career as a dietitian—I mean, gotta practice what I preach, right? Plus, it’s actually illegal not to allow a lunch break for hourly workers.
Setting aside even 20 minutes per day for the enjoyment of a meal can provide a sense of relaxation to get you through the rest of the day. As a future nutrition profession and someone who values food and mental serenity, I fully support the Take Back Your Lunch movement!
How about you? Do you take a lunch break? How do you feel about the trend toward disappearing lunch breaks?
I took plenty of breaks for re-fueling today. Check ‘em out:
Before heading out to shadow a local RD, I made myself a protein-packed breakfast. God bless the avocado.
Once home, I made a simple Greek salad, featuring all the usual suspects.
Tonight I made Ellie’s Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Sauce.
My tweaks:
-I used Harmony Valley Hamburger Mix instead of ground turkey.
-Because of the texture difference between turkey and the soy crumbles, I omitted the bread crumbs, egg, and some of the Parmesan; it had enough binding power on its own.
-I used those leftover chiles in adobo from the freezer (not really a tweak, but I just wanted to celebrate the cleverness of me).
The real star of this dish was the spicy sauce—it was AMAZING. How have I not known the wonders of fire-roasted tomatoes until now?! I just wish I could find them in a low-sodium variety; then I would use them in ALL my cooking! The “meat”balls were tasty too, particularly due to their inclusion of fresh herbs. I would totally make this dish again.
Try it for yourself: Spaghetti with Turkey Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Sauce
Alright, Extreme Couponing time is just around the corner. Later, lovelies.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I always take a lunch break! I think it’s important!
GO LUNCH! and lunch breaks haha! Man if there wasnt lunch…idn what I would do…probs faint
Currently I’m unemployed and on summer break for school, but I always make meals and snacks priority. It’s important for me to re-fuel as I’m NOT a happy camper if I don’t. In general, it’s also good to make eating meals on schedule habit so you don’t get too hungry later and get into a bad cycle
That spagetti looks so freaking delicious!
I take my lunch break every single day, it’s 100% necessary to me. I can’t function if I stay at my desk. Also, I feel awkward eating snacks at my desk, let alone meals. I wouldn’t want to bother people with crunching or the smell of my food, as everyone takes lunch at different times in my team.
I like to take a lunch break when possible. It makes my day go a little better.
Muir Glen has a no salt added fire roasted tomato product. I’m not sure if it can be found in most stores, but I get mine from Whole Foods.
my computer’s keyboard tells the story of my lunches…
BroccoliHut Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I’m guessing there are probably months-old chunks of burrito in there…
I love lunch; its my favorite part of the school day, haha. But seriously. Having time to eat your meals is important… there’s nothing worse than rushing through your food! Most of my meals (now that its summer and I have the luxury of free time) take about an hour!
First time commenter here
I think it’s really great that you posted about taking a lunch break! I think it’s SO important to really take the time and sit down to enjoy your food…and it consistently amazes me how many people don’t (and don’t seem to care, either!)
BroccoliHut Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for commenting, Hannah! I hope to hear more from you in the future:)
I don’t always leave the office to eat lunch, but I do always take a lunch break. Even when I eat at my desk, 80% of the time I’m not doing work simultaneously. If I do, then I will generally run an errand and call that my lunch break. Only on rare occasions am I so tied into a deadline that I can’t stop working to eat.
Aren’t the Muir Glen fire-roasted tomatoes awesome? They are great in soups.
Your eats look so pretty – but also yummy, so I definitely don’t think they look too good to eat!
Glad I stumbled across your blog!
When I still worked in an office, I ALWAYS took the full hour. I think it’s so important to take time for yourself to recharge and remember that you are NOT your work! I always encourage my friends to do it, too, but few of them do.
Now, since I work in a restaurant, we don’t get any kind of break all day, but if we’re not busy, I usually ask if I can take a few minutes to inhale my food. Even those brief moments help me feel a little more sane!
Honestly…I usually don’t take a lunch break. I know its bad.. I should totally make it one of my goals for the rest of the month to step away from the computer for 20 minutes for lunch each day. I agree, avocado is awesome. And I’ve made that Ellie recipe before- so good!
Came across your blog on foodbuzz & am your newest follower!!!
- Jessica @ http://cajunlicious.com
BroccoliHut Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Thanks for following!
Working in a restaurant, we don’t really have “lunch breaks” but we’re around food every minute. You’d think this would result in a lot of eating but honestly we’re all so busy that people don’t eat until service is over. I don’t even eat for 6-7 hours until I’m home since I’m allergic to most of the food I serve. I certainly wouldn’t mind a lunch break but I think it’s becoming obsolete in a internet-centric world.
Oh, everyone needs a lunch break! That is just basic human needs! I am a stay at home mom, so my lunch break can be kind of a joke – but still!