Lunch: Where Are The Leftovers?

If you’re like me Monday through Friday our lunches usually always consists of leftovers from the previous nights dinner, however sometimes there are no leftovers to be found. When this happens it would be so easy to grab lunch out which is going to cost you more and isn’t as healthy as creating your own meals at home.

So rather than spend $6-8 on a sandwich at the local deli or hitting up the the vending machine at work for your afternoon snack keep a well stocked pantry and refrigerator to create a healthy and delicious lunch.

Items to Keep On Hand:

  • Greens (romaine, kale, or other salad greens)
  • Salad toppings (carrots, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, ect)
  • Frozen Brown Rice Wraps
  • Quinoa <– only takes about 15 minutes to cook up!
  • Veggie Burgers
  • Beans
  • Condiments (oil and vinegar, vegenaise, hummus, ect.)
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Dried fruit and nuts
  • Nut Butter

Lunch Ideas (including snacks):

  • Mega Green Salad with veggies, chickpeas and salad dressing of your choice, an apple and 1 oz walnuts
  • Greens topped with veggies, veggie burger and condiment of your choice (fruit or agave sweetened BBQ sauce is great), a 1/2 cup of baby carrots and 2 tablespoons of hummus
  • Brown rice wrap filled with quinoa, black beans and salsa, small green salad with dressing of your choice, 1/4 cup of homemade fruit and nut trail mix
  • Quinoa bowl with beans, sauteed kale and condiment of choice (love a little shoyu or tamari and sriracha), a medium banana and 1 tablespoon almond butter
  • Brown rice wrap with hummus and veggies, 1 apple sliced and 1 tablespoon organic peanut butter

 

As you can see it can take less than 20 minutes in the morning to put together a quick, easy, inexpensive and healthy lunch!  All you need is to keep your pantry/fridge stocked and you can throw something together in a pinch without having to sacrifice you health or your budget.

What do you usually eat or lunch? Do you bring your lunch or buy out? Are you a fan of leftovers for lunch?

P.S. If you haven’t yet don’t forget to enter to win one of the great Chia Goodness giveaway packs! 

Mood Boosting Recipe: Chickpea & Potato Tagine

Chickpea & Potato Tagine

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2″ rounds
  • 4 Yukon gold potatoes, diced
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1-25oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ½ cup vegetable broth
  • 4 Medjool dates, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Harissa (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (optional)


Directions:
Heat
heat the oil in a 4-quart heavy bottom pot over medium-high heat.
Add  
the onions and cook 5-7 minutes until soft.
Stir in
the potatoes and carrots and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.
Stir in
the turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon.
Stir in
the broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and reduce
to low and cook for 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
Stir in the chickpeas and dates and season with salt and pepper and simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in the harissa and almonds.
Garnish with cilantro and a slivered almonds.
Serve with Lemon-Herb Couscous.

Mood Boosting Recipe: Lemon-Herb Couscous

Lemon-Herb Couscous

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cup water
  • 1 cup whole wheat couscous
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil


Directions:
Bring 
the water to a boil in the small sauce pot. 
Stir in t
he couscous. Cover and turn off the heat.
Let stand
5-10 minutes until the water has been absorbed.
Transfer
to a large bowl, add the lemon zest and juice, scallions, cilantro, and olive oil, as well as, salt and pepper to taste. Fluff with a fork to combine. Serve.

Other Options:

  • Serve this couscous as a cold salad.
  • Add chickpeas, diced tomatoes and/or parsley to make a new dish.

Mood Boosting Food

We all are living busy and stressful lives and for many  food is a big part of this stress.  Finding time for healthy cooking and eating just adds to the already too long “to do” list causing more stress to our mind and body. Although food can cause a lot of stress in our lives it can also energize our body and help us to make the most of our busy days.

small change in diet can improve energy levels and how your body responds to stress. So boost your mood and increase your energy, while decreasing your stress, by increasing fresh veggies, seasonal fruits, whole grains and lean protein. It is important to remember to start small this could be as simple as making your Mondays Meatless or upgrading your snacks to include more fruits and veggies.

Head on over to my health coaching site where you can find more information on Mood Boosting Foods and three Mood Boosting Recipes.

Keep your eyes peeled for the following recipes coming up this week:

  • Recipe: Lemon-Herb Whole Wheat Couscous
  • Recipe: Chickpea and Potato Tagine