Things to look forward to midweek are few and far between. Take a yummy lunch out of the equation and it’s hardly worth getting out of bed on a Monday.
This was a key concern here at HerFamily.ie HQ when we took on our summer fitness challenge. Four weeks in however, we’ve discovered a way to make lunchtime as FUN as it is healthy: the lunch bowl.
Long gone are the days when a bit of limp lettuce and a fading sliced tomato constituted a salad. To make it truly satisfying, you need texture, colour, flavour and crunch. In our book, more is more.
To keep your creation fresh, find a container with a separate space for dressing, like this one.
Here are three delicious lunch bowls we’ve been enjoying this week…
The Power Bowl (makes four servings)
Ingredients
1 can chickpeas
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness
Extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper
4 eggs
baby spinach
1/2 cup shelled pistachios
1/2 cup dried cranberries
4oz goat’s cheese (skip this if you’re aiming for weight loss)
For the Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- salt and pepper
Recipe: Iowa Girl Eats
The Nourish Bowl
Ingredients
Greens (salad greens, steamed or massaged kale)
Raw or roasted veggies (any type)
Cooked grain (rice, quinoa, farro)
Protein (beans, chickpeas, tofu)
Crunchies (nuts, seeds)
Dressing (mix in a jar and shake):
- ½ cup tahini
- 2 large lemons (about ½ cup)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Recipe: A Couple Cooks
The Feel Good Bowl
Ingredients
Blackbean and quinoa salad
1-2 cups chopped roasted cauliflower
1 sweet potato, sliced into rounds and roasted
hummus
hemp hearts (or artichoke hearts)
Recipe: Oh She Glows
