In the past, my Queen's Day looked like this: getting up very early and going for a walk around the neighborhood with my brother and father around 8 in the morning to see what was being set up. We always bought freshly squeezed orange juice. Back home, mom was also up and made breakfast while we set up our little table outside with things to sell. We also filled a bucket with water with a glass in it where you had to throw a coin. Well, you probably know that game. So we spent the whole day a bit in front of the house and we got one pancake, toast, or whatever was being sold one by one. At the end of the afternoon, all the money went into the piggy bank and the day was over.

Now a day like that looks like this for me: waking up whenever you wake up and looking out the window with an incredible hangover to see what the atmosphere is like. Then you see all these orange people that you really can't handle just yet, and the thought of having your first glass of prosecco in half an hour makes you want to dive straight back into bed. But you don't do that, because the WhatsApp groups are going wild and cocktails are already being brewed in other friends' kitchens. Well, we always meet at my house, and that's where all the liter bottles of poison are brought. We order fried eggs and poffertjes from our neighbors and constantly tell each other that we really need to lay a foundation. Once all that is done, we head into the city; dancing, drinking, laughing, and falling in love. Around 9 o'clock, you come home again and then you realize that you've been drinking all day and eaten nothing. So that's a bit how it goes. Recognizable?

I promise nothing, but this year I'm going to approach it differently because I want to arrive at the editorial office on Tuesday a bit fresh and fruity, and seriously: it can really be different (healthier, that is) and at least just as fun. Today we're going to talk about the food on that day; Monday morning I'll make sure you don't wake up with a gigantic hangover.

This is how you do it:

Laying a foundation: there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. You're going to drink that day, and to avoid bouncing after just one glass, you need to eat well. Make cakes, some sandwiches, or fry eggs. Make sure you meet up with friends for a nice breakfast or lunch. Fill the table with goodies and take some time for the food.

Then it's wise to always put something to eat in your bag. There's a good chance you'll be standing next to a hot dog stand or someone selling sandwiches with ham, but that won't do me any good. So stuff someenergy bars in your pocket. Make sure to take them too! Even if you're not super hungry, you really forget this on a day like that. Help each other remember that you need to eat.

So you have a lot of those (gross) fast food carts, but I also really expect that there are some healthier (and tastier!) stalls. Walk to a place that you think has delicious things on the menu. There's a good chance they're selling them.

I assume you'll be in bed early in the evening. Around 8 PM or so. Handy if you've already done your grocery shopping for dinner the day before, so you can cook at home (cozily discussing the whole day with friends) and eat calmly, become a bit sober again, and wrap up the day. Have a few cups of green tea, take a shower, and then get into bed. Sleep at least 10 hours and you'll be back to your old self.