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    Home ยป Recipes

    Lunch Ideas

    Published: May 24, 2012 ยท Updated: Aug 24, 2022 ยท Post may contain affiliate links

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    These easily adaptable salad shakers are the perfect make-ahead, portable lunch

    Recently I asked some of my friends if they had any requests or ideas for new posts.

    One friend suggested that I share some new lunch ideas.

    This is a perfect topic because lunch can get pretty boring, and it's so easy to get in a rut when it comes to your lunch. And I don't want you getting bored and deciding to go out for lunch instead, ya know?

    So, here is an idea for a lunch that is really easy to make; you can make more than one at a time; and you can change it up to add some variety to your lunch.

    Salad in a Jar

    You can honestly use any cooked whole grain - quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat couscous, bulgur, barley, whatever your little heart desires.

    The trick is to work in layers. You want to put the dressing on the bottom and then layer the ingredients according to their sturdiness {for lack of a better word}. Once you top it off with some lettuce and maybe a little nuts or cheese or avocado, you have a perfectly healthy & portable lunch.

    Make these on Sunday for the rest of the week, and forget worrying about what to eat for lunch - it's already made & it's healthy!

    Quinoa Salad Shaker

    These easily adaptable salad shakers are the perfect make-ahead, portable lunch
    No ratings yet
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    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Author: Meme

    Ingredients

    • ยฝ tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon vinegar
    • ยผ teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning or any spices or herbs
    • pinch salt
    • ยฝ cup chickpeas or other protein
    • ยฝ cup cooked quinoa
    • 1 cup chopped vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, carrots, etc.
    • 3 cups chopped lettuce any kind

    Instructions

    • First, you make the dressing - Add the olive oil, vinegar, spices, and salt into the jar, and whisk everything together.
    • Next, you add your protein. In this salad, I'm using chickpeas. You can use cooked lentils, shredded chicken or turkey, any other beans.
    • Then, you add the quinoa or whatever whole grain you are using.
    • After that, you add the vegetables - the sturdy ones first {like carrots, peppers, celery, beets, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.}. Then add the other veggies that won't hold up as well if they are somehow touching the dressing {which is very unlikely, but just in case!}.
    • Finally, you add your lettuce. I like to do romaine and then spinach on top. Pack as much as you can in there. If you really want, you can also add a tablespoon or so of chopped nuts.
    • Now screw the lid on top, and stick it in the refrigerator until you're ready to each your lunch! Resist the urge to shake it until right before eating.
    • When you're ready to eat, just dump it onto a large plate or in a big salad bowl. Enjoy!
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo
    Nutrition Facts
    Quinoa Salad Shaker
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    380
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    11
    g
    17
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Sodium
     
    33
    mg
    1
    %
    Potassium
     
    915
    mg
    26
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    55
    g
    18
    %
    Fiber
     
    13
    g
    54
    %
    Sugar
     
    13
    g
    14
    %
    Protein
     
    14
    g
    28
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    5390
    IU
    108
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    195.4
    mg
    237
    %
    Calcium
     
    92
    mg
    9
    %
    Iron
     
    5
    mg
    28
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    If I know I'm probably not going to have a refrigerator then I'll use beans or lentils instead of chicken (or something sensitive to lack of refrigeration). But do try to keep it in an insulated lunch box, preferably with an ice pack or two.

    Hope this helps adds a little excitement to your lunch routine

    Have a great day!

    Meme

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    Comments

    1. MaryJane says

      May 24, 2012 at 7:01 pm

      Wow Meme!! This makes perfect sense!! Can't wait to try it!!

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        May 30, 2012 at 10:05 am

        Thanks! They're really easy to make, and I love having lunch ready for the whole week

        Reply

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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme, a thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist from Alabama living in San Diego. Here to help you enjoy food, feel better in your body at any size, and live free of diets & shame.
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