Are you one of the 7 out of 10 people in America who eat at their desks? Sometimes “desking and dining” just can’t be avoided. So when deadlines conflict with a nice lunch out, let’s do the best we can to make desk dining as healthy and delicious as possible! There are two key things to keep your health in mind when you desk and dine.

How We Eat

Surprisingly, how we eat is actually more important than what we eat. When we are stressed, annoyed, angry or frustrated, your fight-or-flight response takes over and your sympathetic nervous system shuts down digestion. Have you ever had a meal sit like a brick in your stomach? That’s pretty much what happens, because you’re literally not able to digest unless your parasympathetic nervous system is activated. In other words, you have to relax. Easier said than done at work, right? Not entirely. All you need to do is take a minute or two before you eat and take five deep breaths. Deep, like into your belly. The body will have no choice but to switch off the stress system, and switch on the relaxation system. Voila!

What We Eat

Okay, now that you’re relaxed, what do you eat? Bringing food from home is often a healthier choice, as you get to control the quality and type of food. Dinner leftovers are a great choice, as is a sprouted wrap from our recipe below. You can also keep a stash of high quality foods in your desk or your office fridge…like almond butter, flax crackers, raw nuts, trail mix, fresh fruits, high-quality food bars, hard boiled eggs, organic free-range turkey slices, and pre-cut raw veggies. If you have to order in choose a restaurant that uses high quality ingredients. My new book Clean Plates NYC (due out this winter) will be a great resource as it will review the top healthy and delicious restaurants in Manhattan ranging from places serving raw, vegan cuisine to grass-fed steaks and burgers. (If you want to learn more about it shoot me an email!!!)

So what’s the deal with sprouted grains? Why are they better for us than flour products? The main benefit of sprouting any food is twofold: first, it releases vital nutrients and second, it makes those nutrients easier for the body to assimilate. You can sprout at home on your own but if you don’t have time you can now purchase sprouted foods. Let’s look at an example of a sprouted food at your local health food store or Whole Foods.

You may have heard of Ezekial breads and wraps, usually found in your health food store’s refrigerated or freezer section. To unlock the dormant grain energy and maximize nutritional value, Ezekial adds water to organic grains, which releases beneficial enzymes that sprout the grains. The resulting sprouted grain is richer in protein and vitamins than a regular bread made from dry, ground flour. You’ll notice that if you keep Ezekial breads and wraps out on your counter, they’ll spoil after only a few days. That’s a good thing! That means that they have life energy in them, which boosts your own energy when you eat them. See our Recipe section below for suggestions on how to use sprouted wraps.

You can store Ezekial breads and wraps in the refrigerator or the freezer - they’ll last longest in the freezer. If you store them there, just pull out what you’re going to use a couple minutes before you make your sandwich. They defrost super quickly. Wraps are perfect for healthy “desking and dining”!

Ingredients:

Wraps:
Ezekial sprouted corn tortilla (gluten-free)
Ezekial sprouted whole grain wraps

Possible Fillings:

· Avocado slices, pinto beans, organic cheddar cheese*, salsa

· Free-range, hormone-free turkey, avocado, sprouts, shredded zucchini, dijon mustard

· Tempeh, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, Annie’s Goddess Dressing

· Hummus, tabbouleh, sprouts and cucumbers

· Baked tofu, sautéed spinach or kale and pumpkin seeds

Directions:

1. Put fillings in wrap and fold.

2. Wrap in paper towel or parchment to reduce spillage.

3. Bring to work and refrigerate.

4. Enjoy!

If you knew there was a vitamin that can instantly rejuvenate, refresh and reinvigorate you, would you take it? Well, that vitamin exists! It’s called Vitamin FA, for “Fresh Air”. Sitting in a closed office all day is hard on your body. The next time you want to head to Starbucks to stave off your afternoon energy dip, take a brisk 10 minute walk outside instead. It’s guaranteed to lift your mood and your energy!