It’s 12 o’clock, the computer is finally switched off, your stomach is making funny noises and the fridge is empty: lunchtime.

How long is your lunch break? What? 10 minutes, in front of the computer? Arghh.

Try this: breathe in and repeat: ”I will relax. I will relax. I will relax.” See? Feeling better already. And the best way to relax is a little activity in the kitchen.

What does it take to concoct a quick, tasty lunch? Not much really, just a little bit of forethought and organization and the willingness to throw away pre-prepared meals and cheese on toast forever.

Try these tips to make your lunchtime a break to look forward to:

• The evening before your GLD (good lunch day) cook a big meal – a hearty soup, a casserole, a large pie or a flan - take out a little bit and hide it at the back of the fridge where no one else in the family can find it.

• At 12 o’clock of your first GLD take it out, warm it up, toast some bread, add some pre-washed salad and enjoy it. How long did it take?

• Chop and slice some fresh vegetables – a couple of carrots, a red pepper and celery stick - and keep them in a box in the fridge. They’ll keep for a couple of days and you can have salad with the leftovers anytime you want. Just add a swirl of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and pepper.

• Always have plenty of fresh and dried fruit at hand – better a dry apricot than a chocolate chip cookie! (Really.)

Eat at a table, gaze out of a window and enjoy your meal. Your computer won’t miss you for half an hour. And relax!

Just one last touch: Bon Appetit!

© Cristina Adams
www.welfed.com

The welfed website is packed with delicious and easy recipes; menus to help you plan for the week; ideas for quick lunches; and helpful shopping lists so you don't miss out anything. A practical and fun approach to food with recipes for special diets including Vegans.

Minestrone Soup Serves 4 Shopping list 1 onion - finely chopped 200 gr. carrots - finely chopped 250 gr. leeks - finely shredded 1 clove of garlic 80 gr. short macaroni orsmall pasta 150 gr. shredded cabbage 2 tomatoes – chopped 50 gr. streaky bacon - finely chopped Parmesan cheese Cupboard list 1 tablespoon Olive Oil 1 oz butter 2 tablespoons - chopped basil some chopped parsley 1 litre +200 ml vegetable stock Method: Heat butter an oil and fry the bacon for a few minutes before adding the onion, then add carrot and tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Add the stock, basil, macaroni, leeks and cabbage and cook for 50 minutes Add tomato puree and parsley and cook for further 10 minutes. To serve add lots of grated Parmesan cheese and serve with crusty bread.

Salmon Flan Serves 4 Shopping list 1 pack short pastry 1 large tub fromage frais 2 eggs 1 bunch of spring onions 150ml double cream 1 tin of salmon (350g)/ a couple of cooked fresh fillets Cupboard list milk salt and pepper Serve with a salad Method: Preheat oven to 200c (gas mark6) Chop 3 spring onions and mix with 4 tbsp of fromage frais. Add drained and flaked salmon, salt and pepper to taste. Line a flan tray with the pastry and spread the fish mix into the pastry base. Beat 2 eggs, 150ml of double cream and 50ml of milk together and pour over the fish. Bake for 40 min Prepare a salad of your choice and serve with the flan.