[image from Oh She Glows - Cilantro Lime Chickpea Salad]
Keeping in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we know you would do just about anything for your loved one, including packing their lunch! It’s been only a month since New Year’s Resolutions were set, and we bet a lot of healthy eaters have already fallen off the bandwagon.
Get back on track with our list of ‘lighter lunches for your loved ones.’ Whether you spend some time in the kitchen together each evening preparing them, or leave them labelled in the fridge to surprise your sweet heart in the morning, brown paper bag lunches have never tasted this good or left you feeling so great. And don’t forget to sneak in a little love note!
‘Brown Bagging It’ Benefits
While we think the main benefit of the dreaded ‘brown paper bag lunch’ is the obvious positive impact it can have on someone’s health when the right choices are made, there are some other positive perks as well:
- More choice! Don’t limit to yourself to what’s within a 5-10 minute radius of your office. With your DYI lunch the possibilities are endless.
- Cost. You will most definitely save a few of your hard earned dollars by not eating out every day. And if you’re looking for a good place to spend these extra dollars that will benefit your health or make your brown paper bag lunches more interesting we know an excellent organic meat supplier… *wink wink*, although spending them on a little something special for your sweetheart is also an acceptable option as well.
- Time. Cutting travel time to and from your usual lunch destination will give you a few extra minutes to return that voicemail, answer an email or tie up other loose ends.
- Productivity. Studies show that good habits and routine can positively affect many different areas of your life. Packing your own lunch will leave you feeling more organized and in control. Not only that, but we bet a heathy packed lunch will leave you feeling more energized than greasy take out.
And if that doesn’t convince you, we’ll have you falling in love with the idea in no time with these delicious ‘lighter lunch’ recipes.
- Tabbouleh with Chicken and Red Pepper:http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tabbouleh-with-chicken-red-pepper
- DIY Energy Bars:http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/how-to/article/energy-bars
- Cherry Wild Rice & Quinoa Salad:http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cherry_quinoa_salad.html
- California Turkey Chili:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/california-turkey-chili-recipe.html
- Taco Salad:http://www.canadianliving.com/food/ten_minute_taco_salad.php
- Southwest Steak Salad:http://www.eatliverun.com/southwestern-steak-salad/
- Cilantro Lime Chickpea Salad:http://ohsheglows.com/2011/05/27/cilantro-lime-chickpea-salad-sweat-wicking-workout-wear/
- Roast Beef Wrap:http://recipes.womenshealthmag.com/Recipe/roast-beef-and-horseradish-wrap.aspx
