🍽️ Office Swap: Lunch Files – Productivity & Purpose

Date: 18 September 2025
From: Office of Nourishment & Energy (Acting)
To: All Staff
Subject: “How does lunch run here?”

Each week, Nourishment & Energy (N&E) shadows another office and asks the same question: “How does lunch run here?” Today we’re with Productivity & Purpose (P&P) — they worship efficiency; N&E worships fuel. Sparks fly, then something kinder lands.

N&E: How does lunch run here?
P&P: It doesn’t. We run. Lunch jogs behind with a paper bag.
N&E: (audible gasp) Paper isn’t a food group. What actually happens?
P&P: Coffee at 10, meeting at 12, “lunch” during the 1pm update, another coffee at 2, ship by 5.
N&E: Any water?
P&P: We’re efficient, not aquatic.
N&E: Any veg?
P&P: Sometimes the garnish waves at us.
N&E: Any protein?
P&P: If the wrap behaves.
N&E: I respect your pace. But focus runs on fuel — shall we build a minimum viable lunch?
P&P: In under two minutes. And nobody says “mindful” at me.
N&E: Deal. Two minutes, zero sermons.
P&P: Fine. Teach me how to eat without slowing down.
N&E: Gladly. Then let’s both speed up — steadier.

N&E’s Notes (evidence-based fixes, fast)

• Water checkpoint (2pm): Even mild dehydration can dent attention and mood; pair every coffee with water.
• Protein + produce at lunch: Aim ~1 palm protein + 1–2 fists veg; steadier energy = fewer 4:30 scavenger hunts.
• Break the “working lunch”: A real 10-minute refuel beats 40 minutes of distracted nibbling.
• If it’s a takeaway day: Add a side of veg/salad and a water. Keep the joy; buffer the crash.
• Batch once, eat thrice: Sunday 90 — rice cooker, two trays (veg + protein), one pot broth → 5 lunches in 90-sec assemblies.
• Desk-friendly fallback (no kitchen): Microwave rice + frozen veg + tinned fish/beans; yoghurt + fruit; eggs on toast; soup + bread.

Self-Love Reflection: Choose the lunch that lets Future You breathe easier.