Meal Planning 201: Next Level Lunches
Meal Planning 101 was all about the basics and now you’ve got lunchtime covered with easy brown bag lunch tips to help you have lunchtime nutrition covered. Don’t worry, these lunches are far from boring, and will have you embracing the brown bag. As originally posted on MyVega.com.
1. Kick It Old School
Enjoy a twist on a schoolyard classic with this protein-packed, chickpea Vegan Tuna Salad that will help you feel fuller longer and keep you going ‘til dinner.
Kitchen Tip: Keep it Cool
No one likes a soggy lunch. This chickpea salad serves 4-6 so prep it ahead of time, pre-portion it, store it in the fridge and take only what you need for that day. Then when 12PM hits grab your chickpea salad, your bread (or lettuce wrap) and serve together. Have a fridge at work? Perfect. Take the entire pre-portioned recipe with you, keeping the bread (or lettuce wrap) separate and keep it cool at work.
2. Mason… Not Just the Name of Kourtney Kardashian’s Son
Mason jar salads are beyond versatile. Get back to routine the easy way with these Mason Jar Salads. The options are endless and one of our favorite fall recipe has to be this harvest salad with a punch of turmeric. If you’re buying turmeric for the salad why not toss some in your morning smoothie and use it in thisMoroccan Stew too?
Kitchen Tip: Keep it Together
There’s nothing worse than opening up your bag to find your lunch at the bottom of it or finding it covered in dressing. Salvaging the remains of your lunch from the bottom of your bag? No thanks. Avoid that by using jars that have a tight seal and adding your dressing to the bottom of the jar, then topping with the rest of your ingredients. Bonus – this also prevents your salad from getting soggy and makes mixing a breeze.
3. Let Leftovers Happen
In fact, make them happen. Just like prepping your ingredients ahead saves you time at dinner, save yourself even more time in the morning by making extra dinner the night before. That way you’ve got instant lunch for the next day. I recommend batch cooking recipes like this Vegan Mac & Cheese and either refrigerate or freeze the leftovers.
Kitchen Tip: Keep it (Food) Safe
Left overs are a real time saver but don’t skip the step of wrapping and refrigerating them. Leaving them out leaves them vulnerable to bacteria and can leave them tasting less than delish the next day. Most properly covered leftovers are great in the fridge for three to four days and in the freezer for up to three months. I recommend dating your leftovers so you know exactly how long they’ve been around for. Trust your gut with leftovers. If they were left out for a questionable amount of time or in the back of the freezer since who knows when you may not want to eat them.
4. Roll With It
Roll up your lunch and keep the summer vibes going with light, rice paper roll like these versatile Summer Rolls. Treat rolls like you would any sandwich, add in any of the chopped veggies you have on hand and make your roll your own.
Kitchen Tip: Brown Bag it In Style
Now that you’ve decided what you’re having for lunch it’s time to accessorize. Don’t limit yourself to shoving lunch in your purse or trying to balance it bag less with everything else you need to carry. You don’t have you use traditional lunch bags either. For some lunch style inspiration check out these chic lunch bags.
5. Sweet Treat
Top off your lunch with one (or two) of these Protein Cookies or go nuts with these Nut Free Granola Bars. Both recipes will make enough for a few snacks and will leave you feeling satisfied with their protein, healthy fats and fiber.
Kitchen Tip: Snack Smarter
Being prepared with snacks sets you up for success. If you have something healthy on hand you’re less likely to grab something from a vending machine. This helps you make healthier choices for you and your wallet. Be prepared for when the hunger strikes with pre-portioned snacks. Add them to your lunch bag, keep them in your fridge or store stable snacks in your bag.
6. Its 5PM Somewhere…
Shake up your thermos with this Grapefruit Sage Mocktail, stay refreshed, feel like you’re enjoying a legit cocktail and never bored with your water.
Kitchen Tip: Enjoy it
Take a moment for yourself. Breathe, sip on this and give yourself time to relax; even if it’s just for a moment
Mainly Bridgette 