lunch break

If your office is anything like mine, the term "lunch break" has little meaning. I've never been told not to take 45 minutes to leave the building, take a walk, get fresh air, and eat elsewhere, but I often don't. Neither does Shayne. And so we usually dine at our desks, in front of our computers, and chew as we continue to work.

It's not so bad. I usually bring a soup or sandwich anyway (gotta save somehow), and there's almost always fresh fruit available, so there's really no "reason" to leave. Plus, stepping away from my desk while I'm in the middle of an assignment/project just feels a bit irresponsible.

For the most part, I even manage to pack lunch on mornings when I'm especially in a rush. This means an Amy's Burrito (I'm not the only one that loves 'em, am I?) and whatever sliced vegetables I have on hand.

But, I must admit I've become less and less responsible lately (once again: oh, summer and your fun) leading to... lunch breaks. Real ones. One afternoon I took an outing to Birdbath Bakery for a kale and pecorino salad and snack pizza.

On another, I ventured to Peace & Love Café for a simple yet delicious Maldives sandwich (goat cheese, avocado, tomato field greens, and aioli on a French baguette).

Oftentimes though, I just cross the street and brave the lines of men in suits for a very affordable mixed salad from Jin Market. This one contained mesclun greens, onions, cucumbers, garbanzos, avocado, brussels sprouts and celery.

Still, there are special occasions in which a stroll down to Whole Food's Market is called for. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh offerings at their salad and hot bar.

Oh, and, being that it's summer, we've had a few Fridays in which we've spent our entire workday outside of the office. My favorite of those sort was spent at Peacefood Cafe. A single coffee kept me company most of the day.

Once the clock struck two, however, I couldn't hold off my appetite any longer (it was an attempt to eat at home a.k.a. save money). I ordered a roasted japanese pumpkin sandwich (mashed and seasoned with a little sea salt, ground black pepper and extra virgin olive oil topped with caramelized onions, ground walnuts, vegan goat cheese and seasonal greens on toasted whole spelt rye bread) alongside jicama "fries." Why yes, it was as fabulous as it sounds.

Lunches likes those may be few and far between, and lunch breaks may be rare, but, at least I can count on the fact that my work day promptly ends at five. This means that I finish working before 99% of my friends, leaving just enough time to practice yoga before dinner plans or travel across town for a discounted happy hour. I like to take each evening at a time ;).