Tag Archives: lunch

Finding Time to Run

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Finding the time to exercise is an obvious challenge. You have to make it a priority every day. Finding the time to run? I think that’s even harder.

The first solution is to wake up early. I’m not entirely opposed to this. However, two aspects of running in the wee hours of the morning give me apprehension. The first is the darkness. I’ll admit that I don’t enjoy running when it’s dark outside. Perhaps if my neighborhood was well-lit and I wasn’t clumsy, I would find the darkness serene. But, I don’t. I trip over things. (Like kid’s skate boarding ramps they leave on the sidewalk.) I also know that as much as I loathe running in the darkness, come summer I will have to suck it up. So now, in spring, I try to milk my daylight runs.

Option two is when I get home from work. This is best solution, if I don’t have plans (and ignore my hunger). However, my hunger usually wins. Or going out.

For months, I saw these as my only two options, until last week. I did the unthinkable. I ran at work. I spoke with a coworker about it and apparently he used to run at lunch and everyone was fine with it. I can’t say that alleviated much of my anxiety. When noon rolled around, I grabbed my gym bag and ran to the bathroom to change. My walk from the bathroom to the back door felt like a spy movie. I was trying to avoid being seen. But, of course, I ran into two coworkers on the way.

“…Are you… exercising?” asked one woman incredulously.

“Running. Yes. Bye.” I responded, scurrying out the door.

The run itself was great. I mapped out an easy 3-mile loop. Was it scenic? Kinda. I work in a corporate park type area so I scoped out the other companies in our vicinity. Most of the run, I rationalized my endeavor. “The editors at Runner’s World run at lunch every day! I googled “Running at Lunch” and other people do this. This is fine. Oh, no. I’m sweating.”

I have to admit something. My office doesn’t have a shower– the main source of my paranoia. Now before you mark me off as unhygienic, I brought a washcloth, wipes, and a fan to cool off. However, as hard as I tried, I couldn’t mask how red my face was. It’s genetic.

For as weird as I felt around my coworkers post-run, I also felt much happier working through the afternoon. I wasn’t thinking about squeezing in an evening run. I got to enjoy the outdoors during a workday. All in all, if I can gradually get my coworkers to accept my lunchtime ritual and prove that I still smell good, I think I may have a solution. At least until summer rolls around.

When do you find time to run or exercise?

How to Pack Salad

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Put down the Lean Cuisine. Stop making the same old sandwich. Don’t waste your money ordering out. Instead, let me teach you how to pack the perfect lunch salad.

I begin the night before because every morning I inevitably dawdle.

Pick your greens. I love spinach so it’s my go-to base in every salad I make. Place them in a large Tupperware container.

Next, plan out your toppings. I begin with what can go directly on the salad. This decision is based upon the water content in the ingredient. If it feels watery, place it in its own Ziploc baggy. My shredded carrots feel damp, so I’ve been packing them separately. Cheese is safe so dump it on the salad. I stick to lower calorie cheeses like Gorgonzola, Feta, or Goat Cheese for my salads.

I love strawberries on my salad so I’ve been adding those. They’ve been fine sans separation. Next, I throw on some frozen shelled edamame that thaws on the salad overnight.

Since salad isn’t the most filling food, I like to buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and separate out the meat into individual servings. It’s delicious, easy, and a great way to add some protein.

Lastly, I use a small container for dressing (balsamic vinegar and a bit of oil.) Everything is packed together in the large Tupperware creating instant portability. When lunch rolls around, I empty the baggies and dressing.

And there you have it! A fresh salad for lunch that isn’t soggy. Salads are also extremely versatile. Change up the dressing and ingredients for healthy options that still provide variety.

What’s your favorite salad combo? I wish I had dried cranberries. I would have added those too.