It's kind of a trip, what inspired me to cover this particular topic. While I was doing some of my usual online perusing, a particular Twitter post was brought to my attention. I really want you to watch it; however, if you're skimming this, the gist is that — surprise, surprise — a main reason why so many of us think that we should have three square meals a day is because (eye roll), back in the day, Europeans thought it was "uncivilized" that Native Americans ate when they felt like it rather than be on some sort of a schedule.
The more you know, chile. The more you know. Anyway, if after watching that, you first got a little pissed off and then breathed a sigh of relief because a) maybe breakfast ain't really your thing and/or b) you tend to go with a much lighter dinner and/or c) you like lunch most or even least of all, I still think this article may provide some additional ah-ha moments. Because whether you eat three meals, two smoothies and one meal or some variation in between these options, if you've ever had some lingering questions in the back of your mind about the true purpose that lunch can serve in your life and/or you've been wondering how to make the most of your lunchtime, hopefully this can "scratch that itch". At least a little bit.
Why You Should Eat Lunch
As someone who isn't that much of a breakfast person myself (I'll typically make myself a smoothie or have some fruit; I only really do a big breakfast on the weekends and even that's not all of the time), I usually don't even think about eating for real for real until around what's considered to be the traditional lunchtime (between 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. for me). The reason is because it's not until then that I'm actually hungry.
Yet when I looked up why eating lunch can be a wise move on the health tip, what I discovered is it's a great way to give your mind and body time to rest and recharge, so that you can be productive throughout the rest of your day.
So y'all, if you're like some of the people I know who work through their legal-right-to-partake-of-lunch period, you really should rethink that. Even if you treat your lunch as I do my breakfast (and you have something super light), the time away can actually help you to be more effective at your job. In fact, a lot of health experts say that if you don't take at least 15-20 minutes to recharge by getting some sort of fuel into your system, it can make you moody, lethargic and cause you to have a really difficult time concentrating. So yeah, take your lunch period seriously. Literally too.
What Time of Day Should You Be Eating Lunch?
As far as the time of day when you should enjoy your lunch, I did some looking around and found some interesting points from various registered dieticians. What many of them said was if you had a full breakfast at around 7:30-8 a.m., you should feel satisfied until around 11 a.m.-12 p.m. And what if you ate at a different time than that?
Well, the main takeaway is about 4-5 hours from when you had breakfast is a good time to have lunch.
And what if you didn't have much breakfast or you skipped out on it altogether? In that case, the recommendation is to have a low-calorie snack that can help you to feel satisfied for at least an hour or two (so that your energy levels are up until your lunch period). OK, and what if you decide to skip lunch and wait for dinner? Well, aside from what I shared about the benefits that come from having something for lunch, there is plenty of data to support that going light in the morning and afternoon and having a big dinner not only significantly increases the chances of you consuming way more calories than you should but it can also make it difficult for you to sleep soundly because your body is trying to digest all of that stuff that you just ate. That's why a lot of health professionals also recommend that you stop eating within three hours of your intended bedtime.
So, you know what all of this points too, right? More and more, it's looking like eating lunch is a good idea; especially if you're someone who enjoys having a heartier meal but you want to keep your weight in check and your sleep consistent.
Lunch Hacks That Make Eating (at Work) Easier
So, what if, after taking all of this in, you're down to give lunch more of a shot yet you feel like making your lunch instead of avoiding the drive-thru (check out "Why You Should Consider Leaving Fast Food Alone") is going to be more of a prepping headache than you can handle? No problem. I've got a few hacks for that.
Make the most out of cupcake cases (liners). Wanna keep different foods better organized? You'd be shocked what some cupcake cases can do. For instance, if you've got a container that doesn't have dividers, there's no need to purchase one. Just pick up some cases and put different things in those. Everything will be in its "rightful place" without you having to spend extra coins to make it happen.
Play around with muffin tins. Here's the thing about muffin tins — you can put more than just muffins in them. Little omelets. Mini quiches. Fritters. Tiny shepherd's pies. Small mac 'n cheeses. When you let your imagination run wild, the possibilities really are endless. And since these kinds of meals will be in muffin tins, they're super easy to take to work with you.
Put salads in mason jars. Wanna take a salad or burrito bowl to work but you're afraid that it'll get soggy? One of the best hacks ever is to put it into a mason jar. The seal will keep everything fresh. The size of the jar will help you with portion control. And just think about how convenient bringing a jar into work will be when you've got so much other stuff to lug around.
Remember that paper towels absorb moisture. Speaking of sogginess and the way to avoid it, whether it's a salad in a different kind of container or you're going the raw veggie route with some other type of dish, you can also keep stuff from wilting by putting one sheet of a paper towel on the bottom of your container and another on top (after you've put your food inside of it). It has a way of drawing in the excess moisture when you do. By the way, wax paper does a pretty good job at this when it comes to sandwiches too.
Keep oil and vinegar at your desk. Infused oil and vinegar jars are actually very pretty to look at. So, if you're someone who uses a lot of both when you're having lunch, pick up some tall bottles at a local arts and crafts store (you know, the ones that come with a cork), pour the oil and vinegar into them and store them on your desk. How handy is that?
Get drink pouches for smoothies. If you're someone who goes the big breakfast route yet reading all of this has convinced you to at least have a smoothie for lunch, don't break the bank (and take in a ton of calories) by purchasing one every day. Instead, pick up some smoothie pouches. They're compact. Reusable. And since you'll be making your smoothies yourself, you can control exactly what's going into them.
Freeze stuff. As far as prepping for the week goes, freezing rice, quinoa and soups are always a good idea. Putting a frozen fruit box into your lunch container can keep stuff like yogurt cool. Frozen grapes are a great snack for your desk. Bottom line, freezers are your friend when it comes to enjoying your lunch, so don't be afraid to use them — whether you have lunch at 11 or 2.
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RELATED
Yep. I actually read one survey (that consisted of 2,000 people) that said folks tend to have twice as much sex while they are on vacation than they do when they’re at home. It makes sense too when you factor in that you have less to do (unless you’re traveling with those folks who act like you need an itinerary for every damn thing — and we all know one…SMDH), which makes you less stressed out, which makes it easier to feel sexy and to want to get sexual.
And so, in the spirit of that indeed being the case, I want to make sure that you carve out a corner of your suitcase or carry-on to include at least half of the following 12 things that are on this list — things that can help to make “summer vacation sex”…that much hotter, y’all.
1. Edible-Grade Sunscreen
GiphyIt can’t be said enough that, no matter how melanated you may be, your skin needs sunscreen. Not only to protect yourself from the risk of skin cancer (which 1 in 5 Americans will get in their lifetime) but from premature aging that can come from sun damage too. That said, if the urge arises to have sex outside somewhere, I did find some edible-grade sunscreen, in case you’re either worried about what sex in the sun will do to your skin or how all of the chemicals in sunscreen will affect your (digestive) system. The company is called Sky & Sol and you can read up on them here.
2. Flavored Lip Balm
GiphyIf you’ve ever wondered why your lips are so susceptible to being chapped, it’s because they don’t contain any oil glans to keep them moisturized. This is especially important to keep in mind when the weather is extremely cold or hot because that can do a real number on the sensitive skin that your lips are made out of. That’s why it’s essential to stay well-hydrated and to also keep some lip balm in tow. Lip balm is especially designed to moisturize your lips, reduce chapping, exfoliate, soothe irritation and protect your lips from UV damage. As a bonus, lip balm will also help to keep your lips super soft and kissable; especially if you get the flavored kind. #wink
3. Condoms
GiphyI’m still out here, literally shaking my damn head, that reportedly, only one-third of men and one-fourth of women use condoms (and even many of those folks don’t do it consistently). It can’t be said enough that if you’re not in a monogamous (married) or exclusive (dating) relationship where you both are getting regularly tested and are on some other form of birth control (unless you want to get pregnant) — you absolutely should be using condoms and, as a woman, you should not solely rely on your partner to have some that are ready and available.
Not just because you should be responsible for your body and health but because not all condoms are made equal, so you should bring along some that you prefer/enjoy. If you’d like a lil’ help picking those out, check out “These Are The Kinds Of Condoms Your Vagina Would Actually Prefer.”
4. Crotchless Swimsuit
GiphyPacking some sexy lingerie? I certainly hope that goes without saying. If you’ve got a hot tub around, though and you want to “get it in” without getting totally naked (so that nosey people won’t see every damn thing), you do know that there are some crotchless swimsuits out in these streets, right? An example of one is here. Of course, you can always do what Beyoncé said in “Drunk in Love” and just move ish over to the side but…I’m just giving you another creative option…if you wanted one.
5. Blindfolds
GiphyIf you’d like to cultivate an atmosphere of mystery or anticipation, a simple blindfold will do the trick. There is another reason why I think they are great for summer vacation (sex) trips, though — if your hotel room doesn’t come with blackout curtains and you want to have a quickie or two without the room being so bright, putting on a blindfold can solve that “problem” too.
6. Waterproof Sex Toys
GiphyWho said that you have to wait until you get to your hotel room to engage in some foreplay? If you bring a couple of sex toys around, you can tease each other practically anywhere — and if they are waterproof, that includes in the ocean or pool. Some, you can pair up with your smartphone in order to stimulate your partner from just about anywhere. Whew, chile.
7. Homemade Sex Toys Too
GiphySpeaking of sex toys, you’d probably be amazed at how many things in your house can double up as one. A spatula or wooden spoon is great for spanking. A necktie, some tights and a pair of clothespins work well for BDSM (use your imagination, sis). An electronic toothbrush is its own vibrator. A string of (lubricated) pearls in between your thighs? Girrrl…GIRL. Oh, and cop a silicone ice tray that comes in different shapes.
When you are rubbing ice in the shape of fruit, flowers or even animals over each other’s bodies, you’ll be surprised by how the combination of the cold with the texture of the space of the ice will stimulate you (make the ice out of juice instead of water for an extra sweet treat!).
8. Portable Charger
GiphyI don’t know what took me so long to get a damn portable charger but it’s one of the best things that ever happened to me. What I personally purchased is the ANKER Zolo Power Bank, 20,000mAh 30W High-Speed Portable Charger. I can throw it in my purse, it charges fast, I can use more than once before needing to recharge it; plus, it complements most devices. A great thing to keep in mind, so that your sex toys don’t end up going out on you while you’re…wherever you are.
9. Massage Oil Candle
GiphyGoing through security at the airport can be a HEADACHE. And while, how long it can take, oftentimes varies on the airport you’re at and the time you are traveling (you can read more about that here), the process is going to be especially annoying if they have to go through your bags. Since you can currently only pack a quarter-sized bag of liquid products on your carry-on, my two cents would be to leave the massage oil at home and pack a massage oil candle instead.
That way, you can still engage in some temperature play (check out “Hot Sex: 10 Super Sultry Reasons To Bring Wax Play Into Your Bedroom”) while you’re on the road without going through any security hassle hang-ups. Some edible massage oil candles are located right here.
10. Wine Cooler Sleeve
GiphySay that you end up going on a wine tasting tour while you’re on vacation and you end up purchasing a bottle or you simply want to toast with some champagne but you’re not sure how to store the bottle. Did you know that there are wine cooler sleeves that are lightweight, portable and will help to keep your bottles cold without condensation for hours on end? A brand that comes highly recommended is here.
11. Rose Petals
GiphyI think there are a few reasons why rose petals are oftentimes used to create a sexy mood. Red symbolizes love and passion. Rose petals are soft to the touch. The scent of them is considered to be an aphrodisiac as well. For all of these reasons, bring along some fresh rose petals for your hotel bed. If you put a damp paper towel in something like a small Tupperware container and then place the rose petals inside of that, they won’t dry out quickly which will make them feel great once you’re ready to start rolling around in them (you can also keep them in your hotel room’s fridge to further extend their shelf life).
12. Mints
GiphyMorning sex. Outdoor sex. Whatever kind of sex — it’s always going to be better when your breath and his smell good. And just so you don’t have to lug around a big bottle of mouthwash, pack some mints. Altoids are always going to be my number one draft pick — yet go with whatever are your personal faves. They’re the perfect hack for unbelievable summer vacation sex. Wouldn’t you agree? Enjoy!
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