Overview
As each day passes, it's important to find time for little wins to lift our spirits and improve our moods. It could be having a great convo with your mum, hitting the five kilometre mark on a run, or making a stellar bolognese sauce. And this is true for anyone in the working week cycle, but with many of us working from home, or just battling never-ending emails and a nonstop notification loop, it seems more pertinent than ever. That's why we've teamed up with Oporto to bring you five little wins you can easily build into your workday lunch break, which will give you a little pick-me-up to carry you through the afternoon.
MONDAY: TRY SOMETHING NEW AT YOUR LOCAL CAFE
If you've ever thought about trying a new drink at lunchtime, or a different place altogether, today's the day to give it a whirl. Always wondered what a dirty chai (chai with a shot of coffee) tastes like? What about a soy piccolo with honey or extra-hot double shot almost latte? Go for gold and surprise your regular barista with a new order. It'll give you something new to talk about, and you might find you're more into long blacks than flat whites, or vice versa. Melbourne is full of the best coffee around so why not experience a new cup of it and start your Monday off anew.
Visit Victoria
TUESDAY: TAKE YOUR LUNCH TO THE PARK
As the weather is starting to turn it back on here in Melbourne, and you can now meet up with five people from two different households, more lunchtime park dates are on the agenda. Slap on some sunscreen, grab your picnic blanket and head to your nearest green spot to eat your lunch while getting in some vitamin D. Make it an extra special win, too, by forgetting the hassle of packing a meal and instead grabbing Oporto's new Vegan Rappa to take with you. It includes a pea and herb patty, mixed lettuce leaves, slaw, fresh tomato, avocado and a tomato and capsicum relish, all nestled within a warm pita bread wrap. If you're looking for inspiration, here are the best picnic spots to seek out in Melbourne so you can savour the moment in the open air.
WEDNESDAY: SHOUT YOUR HOUSEMATES AN AFTERNOON TREAT
Beat the midweek blues by shouting those under the same roof as you — whether it be your parents and siblings or a share-house full of students — to some sweet sugary goodness. You can have a hot fudge brownie sundae delivered to your door, vegan pecan pie or lemon, lime and bitters ice cream from Ice Cream Social in Thornbury. Or, get some jam- or Nutella-filled donuts from Daniel's Donuts, which also delivers to your door. Or, grab some cupcakes in cookies and cream, carrot, vanilla or salted caramel flavours from Cupcake Central, which offers free delivery on all orders over $45 in its 'sweet zone'. You'll not only feel good about surprising your loved ones, but also they'll hopefully share some of the goodies with you too.
Flickr; Aundray Cheam
THURSDAY: KICK A FOOTY IN YOUR LOCAL PARK
Pubs may still be closed (for now) but the city's parks are wide open and inviting you to run around with your mates like you've never run around before. Make the occasion even better by grabbing a footy and get your blood pumping with some good ol' fashioned kick-to-kick where you can practice your best kicks and handballs. If your local park or oval has some goalposts, start kicking some (literal) goals and pretend like you've scored the winning points in the premiership. Move over Tigers, there's a new player in this part of town.
Flickr; Alpha
FRIDAY: ADD A FRIEND TO YOUR LOCAL SPOONVILLE
End your week by getting into the community spirit and making a character for your local Spoonville. If you're not familiar with Spoonvilles, they're tiny villages filled with handmade characters made out of all sorts of spoons: large, small, wooden, plastic, silicone and even the odd spatula. Each is adorned with goggly eyes, ribbon dresses, pipe-cleaner arms and a lot of glitter – it's all very wholesome. Add your flair to your local community's Spoonville by spending your lunch break DIY-ing your own character to add to the village. Local kids and parents will be delighted with the new addition, which makes it a win for you and one for the community, too.
Check out Oporto's full Rappa Range here, then make tracks to your closest store — or order online.
Top image: Catani Gardens, St Kilda via Visit Victoria/Josie Withers