Working from home is the best! It's comfy, you get to catch up on cleaning, there’s no commute, and, best of all, you can go the extra mile at lunchtime. Experts say it is vital for you to take your lunch break, even in the comfort of your own home. It allows your brain to reset and recharge, which increases your productivity for the rest of the day.
It's true, leftovers are a great quick fix, especially if you need to dash out the door in the morning. We all battle with the 3 o’clock wall, especially if we’ve eaten a bit too much of last night’s pasta. But when you work from home, you get to unleash some creativity and break up your day. These recipes will help you boost your brain and your focus levels so you can get through a full day's work, having had a sufficient break and a tasty, healthy meal.
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1) Avocado and salmon rice bowl
This super healthy meal is the perfect work from home lunchtime boost you’ll need for the next few hours of screen time. Salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3, which gives the brain more oxygen, making you feel refreshed and recharged.
Ingredients
- 290g long-grain, easy cook or ready-made rice
- Salt for seasoning
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 x avocados, sliced
- 225g smoked salmon
- 2 x nori sheets, torn
- 2 tsp black sesame seeds
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- Pinch of pickled ginger
- Slither of wasabi
Method
- Depending on what rice you have, slightly heat it in the microwave or put 300ml of water in a saucepan, add the rice and bring to a boil.
- After 10-15 mins, the rice should be cooked.
- Place the rice onto a plate and allow to cool.
- Once cooler, prep the rice to serve in bowls according to portion size.
- Drizzle the sesame oil, sesame seeds, salt and the soy sauce over the rice and mix well.
- Place the salmon and the avocado on top of the rice.
- Add more sesame oil and soy sauce if you wish and enjoy.
2) Gingered Prawns, Green Bean, and Broccoli Stir-Fry
One of the great things about working from home is your access to your pots and pans and the stove! Ginger is excellent for detoxing and helps with your focus and memory. As the recipe also contains prawns, you’ll get a brain-boost from the Omega-3 too! This recipe is quick, easy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 450g green beans, topped and tailed
- 1 x head of broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 x large piece of ginger (approx 5cm in length), peeled and minced
- 1 x bunch of chives, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 670g frozen peeled prawns
- 1 x pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp soy sauce for serving
Method
- Heat the sesame oil in a pan.
- Add the green beans and the broccoli and stir until soft greener and softer. This should take about 10 minutes.
- Add the frozen prawns and stir until they are pink and soft. Stirring should take another 10 minutes.
- Add the salt and pepper if you wish and mix in well.
- Serve in a bowl, drizzle the soy sauce over the dish and enjoy!
3) Superfoods Smoothie
A breakfast dish at lunchtime? Who cares? You’re at home! This smoothie is jam-packed with ingredients that will give your brain the boost it needs. Blueberries are an excellent way to give your brain a boost to get past any afternoon slumps.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of baby spinach
- 1 x banana
- 1 cup of berries (blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are the best!)
- Ginger root, approximately 2cm in length, roughly chopped
- ½ cup of plain yoghurt
- ½ cup of orange juice
Method
- Throw all the ingredients into a blender.
- Blend on high until very smooth.
- If you want a thinner smoothie, add more orange juice.
- Serve in a glass and enjoy!
4) Asian Quinoa Salad
As a plant-based protein, quinoa is the perfect lunchtime food. This salad has all the nutrition you need to get through the rest of the day and is great for working from home, especially if your day is hectic. Asian quinoa salad is a great quick fix for your lunch break.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups of water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped red cabbage
- 1 cup shelled and cooked edamame
- 1 x red bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup diced cucumber
Dressing
- ¼ cup of soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp chopped green onion
- ¼ cup chopped coriander
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- ¼ tbsp grated ginger
- ⅛ tsp chilli flakes
- 1 x pinch of salt
- 1 x pinch of black pepper
Method
- Put the water, quinoa, and salt into a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Boil for 5 minutes, before reducing the heat and simmering for 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
- Remove from the heat and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- Put the quinoa in a mixing bowl and add the cabbage, edamame, red pepper, carrots, and cucumber. Set aside.
- In a smaller bowl, mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, coriander, sesame seeds, ginger, chilli flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Then, pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and stir.
- Serve in a bowl and enjoy!
5) Caprese Chicken
As you’re working from home, remember, your oven is your friend! You can pop something in an oven in 5 mins and carry on working until your lunch is ready. This wonderful recipe will warm you from the inside out and is perfect if you’re in the mood for something healthy but wholesome.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 450 g boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 x pinch of salt
- 1 x pinch ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp mixed Italian herbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 50 ml balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 4 slices mozzarella
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
- Pour olive oil into an ovenproof dish.
- Put the chicken into the dish.
- Season evenly with the salt, pepper and mixed Italian herbs.
- Add the garlic, tinned tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and basil.
- Ensure you cover the chicken in the mixture.
- On top of the dish, place the mozzarella slices.
- Cover the dish with foil and oven cook for 30 minutes. (Tip: carry on with your work during this time).
- After 30 minutes, discard the foil and put back in the oven on high heat for 5 minutes. This will allow the cheese to brown up nicely.
- Serve and enjoy!
Work hard, eat well
It can be easy to become completely ensconced in your work. Many of us even feel guilty for doing anything else other than work when we are at home. But you should take your lunch break and make sure you eat well! This will ultimately lead to a better work-life balance and increase your productivity. Take the time to enjoy the home you live in and experiment with these recipes. You’ll never want to go back to the office!
