Are you getting jealous of your co-workers going out to eat every day at lunch or if your exercise buddies are hitting the clubs snack bar or the taco joint on their way back to work. You no longer have to feel left out. Bust your PB&J or salad rut with these delicious, easy recipes that will make you happy, happy, happy. While keeping your calories in check!
These simple yet healthy recipes that will only take a few minutes to prepare but will make you the envy of every brown bagger in the company. These recipes are not only good for you but great tasting too!! And you won't have to wait in line every morning at the sandwich shop on your way to work. You can make these ahead of time at home a day or two early, when you have the time so you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee instead of running out to a specialty shop or worse, doughnut shop to get either your breakfast or your lunch for the office.
Just take a look at these recipes listed below and enjoy the fruits of your labor, seriously. These recipes just take a little prep and for most you just need to wash the vegetables, mix up the wet ingredients, toss and refrigerate if necessary.
Pesto, Sun-Dried Tomato, and White Bean Salad
1/2 cup white beans tossed with 1 tablespoon jarred pesto,(How Easy is That), 6 sliced sun-dried tomatoes, and 2 cups baby arugula: 245 calories
Chicken Salad Pita
1 whole-wheat pita (6 1/2-inch diameter) stuffed with 1/2 cup chopped leftover chicken breast, 1/2 grated apple, and 1 tablespoon low-fat Greek yogurt: 344 calories
Vegetarian Mediterranean Wrap
1/4 cup hummus, 1 sliced tomato, 1 tablespoon feta, and 4 chopped black olives wrapped in a whole-wheat tortilla:296 calories
Divide 12 large cooked shrimp and 1 cup each bean spouts and shredded cabbage between 4 rehydrated rice paper sheets and wrap up burrito-style: 287 calories
Club Salad
2 slices deli turkey, 1 cup grape tomatoes, 1 slice crumbled bacon, and 2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce tossed in 1 tablespoon low-fat mayo. Serve with 5 pita chips: 254 calories
Goat Cheese Lentil and Couscous Salad
1/4 cup cooked lentils mixed with 1/2 cup cooked whole-wheat couscous, 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, and 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese: 223 calories
Marinated Kale and Chicken Salad
Add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil to 2 cups shredded kale and let marinate overnight. Toss in 1/2 cup diced leftover chicken and 1 tablespoon dried currants: 333 calories
Vegan Pate
1/4 cup cooked lentils pureed with 2 tablespoons walnuts and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Serve with 4 whole-wheat crackers and 4 large olives: 371 calories
Sushi Sandwich
2 slices deli turkey, 1/4 cup grated part-skim mozzarella, and 1 chopped roasted red pepper rolled into a whole-wheat tortilla and sliced into rounds, sushi-style:296 calories
Roasted Vegetable Sandwich
1 roasted red pepper and 2 slices roasted eggplant with 1 slice provolone cheese on whole-grain bread: 310 calories
Apple Sandwich
Core 1 apple and slice horizontally into 4 slices. Sandwich 1 tablespoon cashew butter topped with 1 tablespoon pepitas (green pumpkin seeds) between slices to make 2 sandwiches (or 1 big one): 234 calories
Chicken Salad Salad
1/2 cup diced chicken mixed with 2 tablespoons lowfat mayo, 1 tablespoon raw pistachios, and 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds over 3 cups mixed spring greens:286 calories
Bento Box
1/2 cup each cooked brown rice and prepared seaweed salad with 1/4 cup each cubed marinated tofu and edamame: 312 calories
Spicy Chickpeas and Tuna
3 ounces olive-oil packed light tuna (drained) with 1/2 cup chickpeas and cayenne to taste over 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce: 290 calories
Curry Egg Salad
Mix 2 hard-boiled eggs with 2 tablespoons lowfat Greek yogurt and 1 tablespoon hot curry powder. Serve with 3 papadums (thin lentil flatbreads): 251 calories
Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
2 chopped roasted beets tossed with 2 cups baby spinach, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese:242 calories
Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup
Puree 1/2 cucumber, 1 avocado, and juice of 1 lime: 365 calories
RELATED: 10 Easy Homemade Soups
Provolone Pasta with Beans and Tomatoes
1 cup cooked whole-wheat pasta tossed with 1 cup steamed string beans, 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1 tablespoon grated provolone: 249 calories
Chili Pita
1 whole-wheat pita (6 1/2-inch diameter) stuffed with 1/4 cup each refried beans and salsa and 2 tablespoons shredded sharp cheddar cheese: 300 calories
Avocado-Turkey Rolls
4 slices deli turkey rolled with 1/4 sliced avocado, 1 slice crumbled bacon, 4 large lettuce leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: 264 calories
Mustard Hummus Mash
1/2 cup chickpeas mashed with 2 tablespoons each mustard and lowfat mayo on 2 slices toasted whole-wheat bread: 350 calories
Breakfast for Lunch
Soak 1/2 cup oats in 1/2 cup lowfat milk overnight, and add 1/2 sliced banana and 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts before you dig in: 305 calories
Quick Quinoa Tabbouleh
1 cup chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers with 1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves over 1 cup cooked quinoa:267 calories
Sesame Salmon Lettuce Wraps
3 ounces canned wild salmon tossed with 1 cup broccoli slaw and 2 tablespoons sesame dressing wrapped in 4 large lettuce leaves: 300 calories
AB&B
1 tablespoon almond butter and 1/2 sliced banana sandwich on whole-wheat cinnamon bread: 331 calories
Peanut Chicken Pita
1/2 cup chopped chicken mixed with 2 tablespoons each bottled peanut sauce and chopped cilantro, stuffed into a whole-wheat pita (6 1/2-inch diameter):379 calories
Tarragon Caprese Salad
2 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella with 2 sliced beefsteak tomatoes and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon: 246 calories
Mexican Quinoa
1/2 cup cooked quinoa tossed with 1/4 cup each black beans and thawed corn kernels, 1 diced red pepper, and chipotle chili powder to taste: 240 calories
Roast Beef Wrap
3 ounces lean deli roast beef, 1 cup bagged coleslaw mix, and 1 tablespoon horseradish in a whole-wheat wrap: 267 calories
Bagel with Lox
2 tablespoons vegetable cream cheese, 2 slices smoked salmon, and 1 tablespoon fresh dill on bagel thins: 250 calories
So sample a few of these delicious receipies that will want you craving for more and let your friends feel jealous as they see the great nutritious lunches your bringing out of YOUR BROWN BAG !!!
These recepies were taken from a posting from Shape Magazine, posted by Joy Manning