Lunch "Calzone" for One

Finding time to make a substantial lunch is getting harder and harder these days. I had these notions that being home with Ada would mean lots of time to fiddle around in the kitchen. Lots of time in general, really. But as Ada's mobility has picked up speed, my ability to keep the house clean, feed myself, and maintain order otherwise has lessened.

 Halted? Well, maybe not that bad. But I'm still getting used to it all.

So, at least for now, lunches (any everything else) require a bit of planning. Being smart. Keeping convenient sources of healthy nutrients on hand. Actually, it reminds me quite a bit of when I was working full-time. Imagine that!

LUNCH "CALZONE" FOR ONE

What you'll need . . .

• 1 whole wheat tortilla 
• 1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese 
• 1 fresh tomato or a few canned, peeled tomatoes, sliced 
• 1/2 cup fresh greens, like baby spinach 
• Black pepper, to taste 
• Spritz of olive oil

Method . . .

1. Take your tortilla and spread your ricotta evenly. You may use more or less ricotta depending on what you'd like to eat, of course. There's no right or wrong way. 
2. Spritz a fry pan with some olive oil and blaze some medium-high heat underneath. Then place your ricotta-topped tortilla inside, ricotta side up, of course. Let cook for a couple minutes. Then sprinkle some pepper and arrange your slices of tomato. Top with greens. Cook for another couple minutes until the bottom of your "calzone" has browned nicely. 
3. Then fold in half with a spatula and let cool for a couple minutes. 
4. Cut into slices, if you wish, and enjoy. 

It's quite a messy lunch, but well worth it! Of course, it isn't much like a real calzone. It's lighter -- so perfect for a mid-day meal. I served mine with what I call "race day oranges" which is just my dorky way of saying quartered oranges. It's my favorite way to eat the fruit.


Breastfeeding combined with running is really kicking my butt. I am starving almost constantly. So, I eat whenever Ada eats. This means I'm not sitting down for three large meals a day. Instead, I nosh on medium-sized meals, like this one, throughout. It's working well for me, but incorporating more protein, with eggs, cheese, yogurt, nuts, tofu, etc., as many of your have suggested, has been key.

How do you make time for lunch? If you're working, do you pack the night before? If you're home, do you have some go-to meals you stick with? I'd love to hear your methods!

And today on Writing Chapter Three, I wrote about Me, Myself, and Ada. How to retain a sense of my identity as a stay-at-home mom. Harder than I thought.

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