I wasn’t sure what to write about this week. There is no produce or fruit inspiring me. No historical deep dive I couldn’t wait to fall into. In fact, the main thing on my mind these days is my to-do list. Not so much the list but how to prioritize it, knowing that everything takes longer than I expect it to, and that I realistically will only accomplish of a few of the many items on it each day.
I asked some friends what I should write about: Squash blossoms, eating lite, bugs to eat, one said. Summer squash and garlic scapes, the short harvest time for ramps, and ramp pesto, another offered. While it’s true, I have way too many garlic scapes in my fridge currently (what does one do with so many?!), and I do love stuffed squash blossoms, none of these suggestions were stirring me.
I was thinking about this post while walking my dog, and suddenly it was raining, the clouds dramatic, thunder and lightening and fresh beautiful cool wet air. But I already wrote about the rain in a previous post (we’ve been having a lot of it this summer!)
And then it hit me. Lunch. I have really been enjoying lunch lately. Particularly the elaborate kale salads I’ve been making, with nuts and dried fruit, some sort of tinned fish (anchovies, tuna, or sardines), a handful of white beans, a sprinkle of seeds, a smattering of whatever vegetables I have on hand from the farmers market (including summer squash and raw beets grated into small pieces). These salads feel deeply nourishing without being too heavy, meaning I can take a break to eat and get back to my to-do list without a post-lunch siesta.
I have been trying to get better at eating lunch, since it’s often a meal I skip, and yet the benefits are numerous. So here are a few fascinating facts about lunch:
The origins of the word "lunch" is unclear but it is possibly derived from the the Spanish lonja (“a slice”), or the English word lump (“a thick piece (of food)”), or the 14th century Old French word nonechenche (“slight refreshment, usually taken in the afternoon”).
The idea of luncheon as a formal meal appears in the historic record in the 18th century as a light meal midday, primarily for women. At it’s most simple, these snacks might include bread, cheese and beer. Over time, luncheon became a more and more complex affair, particular for the upper class, who would enjoy sideboards spread with foods that could be easily picked at: cold sliced meats like ham and roast beef, pickles, fruit preserves, buns, cakes and tarts.
One theory about the origins of our modern lunch schedule is that after electricity was developed, people began staying awake longer, so dinner was pushed to later in the day, and there was even more of a need for a mid-day snack. The modern day “lunch break” is largely a product of the Industrial Revolution, time off that workers had to negotiate with their employers. The meal thus became defined by it’s time constraints, and foods that could be prepared ahead of time and eaten speedily, like a sandwich, were appreciated.
The working lunch is not the norm everywhere, though. In some places, like Mexico, Brazil, France, Spain, and Italy, lunch is often the main meal of the day, usually consisting of multiple courses. A three hour lunch break is not uncommon. Apparently Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite lunch was a dry gin martini and chocolate, followed by a glass of wine. (Talk about needing a nap after lunch!)
It may feel like a waste of time to take a break midday, but lunch is good for the soul. Especially on a hot summer day, a break in the shade, a fresh salad, a moment to just exist. Alone or with others.
There is so much more I could write about lunch. The social importance of eating lunch with coworkers. That lunch is the most popular meal eaten out at a restaurant and contributed to the rise of fast casual dining. The physiological and mental benefits of eating midday, especially outside. Even my memories of school lunches as a kid hold a special feeling. I was often the odd one out with my weird healthy homemade sandwiches and vegetable sticks. I craved the normality of that cafeteria chocolate milk. But I will leave it here. It’s almost noon, and I am hungry. Time for nunch.
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Here are this week’s writing prompts.
Try to find a quiet place where you can focus for 15-20 minutes. The point of this exercise is to write freely, without judgement, and see what comes out of your brain. You can answer each prompt question or start with the one that is most interesting and see where it takes you. Follow your mind, be present with the emotions coming up, and have fun. Try to keep writing for a full 15 minutes. It might sound like an intimidating amount of time, but I promise it will end up flying by. Just keep going!
What is your favorite time to eat during the summer and why? Sunrise breakfasts? Lunch in the park with a co-worker? Late evening dinners outside? Mid-afternoon snack in front of your AC unit?
What were school lunches like for you as a kid? What other memories are surfacing?
What do you like to eat for lunch? Does it change in the summer compared to the rest of the year?
Is there a salad you’ve eaten that was phenomenal, memorable, dare I say, even transformative?
Sit down and intentionally eat lunch. As you eat, notice the sensations arising. What are the thoughts going through your head? Any memories surfacing? Take note’s while you eat about the sensory details, feelings, and surprising insights that arise as you take time to mindfully eat a mid-day meal.
Throw a lunch “dinner party”. Invite friends over for a leisurely meal. At lunch, ask everyone to share a favorite lunch memory or a life-changing salad.
If you had some good insights or surprises from this writing exercise, share them in the comments below!
With love and gratitude,
Gina Rae
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