A Day In The Life of a Peaceful Dumpling Editor: Molly Lansdowne

6:00am: I’ve been waking up at the same time for years, so the bright and early wake up call is habit by now. I always drink a glass of water and do a bit of stretching in bed to wake up my body. Depending on how lazy I was the night before (and more often than not, I’m pretty lazy), I head to the kitchen to quickly assemble my breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the day.

6:30am: This is one of my favorite parts of the day: a quiet meditation time. I’ve been very busy lately, so this is really my only quiet time until I turn in at the end of the day. Depending on how I’m feeling, I’ll meditate anywhere from 10-20 minutes. I use a meditation app, which offers both guided and non-guided meditations.

6:30-7:30 am: I usually stay in bed with my laptop to answer emails, peruse social media, etc. until it’s time to dress for the gym. I try (operative word-try) to go to the gym 5-6 days a week, but this winter has definitely challenged the consistency in that routine. Nevertheless, I’m feeling more motivated to workout again, and it’s a great feeling!

7:30-8:50am: I take the train into downtown Boston, where both my gym and office are located, and jog two miles on the treadmill and do some ab work. After my workout, I dress and wash my face with cleanser, then spritz with toner, and finally moisturize. I’ll usually straighten my hair and put on a little eyeliner and lipstick, but that’s usually the extent of my makeup routine. Confession: I don’t shower before I go to work! I don’t sweat much, and I don’t like to spend the extra time showering, so I usually just put on some deodorant and perfume. I have it on good authority that I don’t smell–promise!

9:00am: I walk to my office and settle in for the day. That usually means I make a cup of coffee and eat my breakfast while reading and responding to emails. Today’s breakfast was overnight oats made with rolled oats, chia seeds, soy milk, mulberries, fresh raspberries, and topped with a sliced banana. It’s a filling breakfast that gives me the perfect amount of energy until lunch.

Desk breakfasts don’t have to be boring: overnight oats with fresh fruit are a perfect start to the day!

9:00am-12:00pm: The morning is usually my most productive time at work, and today is no different. I work at an anti-vivisection organization whose main thrust is policy and research. For the past few months, I’ve been working with my colleague on a long white paper that we will be submitting to an (unnamed) government agency, and today I’m working on formatting citations.

This is my “I’d rather have a root canal than format citations” face.

12:00-12:30pm: Admittedly, I usually eat my lunch at my desk. I know it’s inadvisable to eat at one’s desk, but I usually use this time to read my favorite blogs, check my email, and look at social media. For lunch, I usually pack something light but filling. Today’s lunch was very simple: red quinoa, chickpeas, mixed greens. radish, cucumber, and tahini dressing.

Sometimes, simple lunches are the best.

12:30-3:00 pm: My afternoons vary; sometimes I’ll have a meeting, and other times I’ll be busy with research. Today, I called into a public hearing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that addressed a recent investigation at a research center in Nebraska. By the time the phone call was over, I was ready for a snack. Today, I had two chocolate macaroons that I brought in to share with my co-workers. Super simple, and sweetened with maple syrup–the perfect afternoon snack!

5:30-7:00pm: After work, I meet with a good friend near the Boston Common for tea. We used to work together in my office, so it was especially lovely to catch up with someone I haven’t seen in a while. I enjoyed an un-pictured earl grey tea!

7:30-10:30 pm: I arrive home and realize how hungry I am! My boyfriend is coming over tonight, so I get started on dinner for myself (he tells me that he’s bringing some Indian takeout for himself). I make a quick but filling dinner that consists of apricot Asian greens and fennel (bok choy and fennel sauteed with apricot jam, tamari, and olive oil), seared tempeh, and steamed sweet potato. After dinner, Scott and I watch an old episode of The Office since he’s only seen a couple episodes and I’m determined to make him a fan. By 10:30, we’re both ready to go to sleep (What can I say? We’re old). Before bed, I brush my teeth and use the same morning cleanser and toner on my face, followed by a small amount of rosehip oil.