JLove’s Healthy Eating: Office Tip #1
Do you want to pack a home-made meal for lunch but you just can’t seem to find enough time to do it every day? No worries! The key is in getting organized. I asked Jennifer Fugo, founder of the Gluten Free School, and a favorite gal-pal of mine to share 5 tips on “How to make it Easy to Pack Your Lunch on the Go”. Here are her suggestions…
As a person with food sensitivities, I always need to be prepared. That's been my mantra for the last four years and I can tell you that when I get lazy and 'wing it', things never go well for me. That's why an ounce of planning adds up to less stress, taking care of myself and having my day go smoothly. Plus, I feel best when I have food with me that I prepared at home because I know FOR SURE that it's not contaminated with something I personally shouldn't be eating (like gluten, dairy and eggs).
To help you get in the habit, here are my tips to 'being prepared' to bring your lunch with you!
1) Cook in bulk.
I personally cook twice a week since I don't have time to cook for every meal, nor every day. Therefore, the meals I cook are often picked for how well they'll last (3 to 4 days in the fridge is ideal). Even though I'm cooking for two people, I cook extra so that I can make 3 lunches out of my meals as well as have some left over for dinners. And if I'm lucky, I'll even have some to freeze for those moments when I'm in a pinch and just need to have something ready to eat. Start using your oven and even a slow-cooker for even more help!
2) Before serving yourself, make your lunch!
I do not sit down to eat before setting out my lunch bowls and filling them with my meals which go into the fridge once they've cooled. I've found that if I eat before taking this important step, I'm less likely to make my lunch bowls after I'm done. So give yourself an extra 5 minutes and put yours together.
3) Add veggies.
Frozen vegetables are excellent to have on hand and can be added to something like pasta or chili if and when you need to expand a meal in a matter of seconds. I keep my freezer stocked with my favorites and add them directly to the lunch bowls frozen. The veggies will defrost and cook once you heat up your meal.
4) Grains can be a big help!
Whole grains like quinoa or brown rice are excellent options to 'add some nutritious bulk' to your meals. A 1/2-cup serving of these grains adds lots of minerals and fiber. Plus, you can easily cook them in a rice cooker and then keep them refrigerated for 4 days. I even freeze extra brown rice in freezer bags for the 'in a pinch' moments.
5) Beans, beans...good for your heart...
And they're great for increasing bulk to a meal as well as fiber. Keep cans of beans on hand, but make sure that they aren't loaded with lots of ingredients. Beans, water, and sea salt are the best ingredients to look for. Just make sure to rinse them well before adding them to your hot meal or salad.
If you follow my five tips, you'll never get stuck without a home-cooked meal for lunch! And the best part is that those bulk meals I make end up going a long way because I can mix and match them up with the veggies, grains and beans. I wish you happy and healthy eating!
You can join Jennifer for some great classes and info about living a gluten free life at http://www.glutenfreeschool.com.
Jenny's Jam List: Theme of the Week- URbaN-liCouS
When I was little, one of my dreams was to become a singer/ rapper. I thought I would be the next “Female version of Eminem”. I just love what these few artists on this playlist have done for Music. I find that I listen to this playlist when I am dragging and pooped out from what life has thrown at me. So Nibblers “Dust your shoulders off” and “Bust a move”!
Jam Playlist
1. No Money, No Problems by The Notorious B.I.G.
2. Gossip Folks by Missy Elliott
3. Changes by 2Pac (Tupac)
4. So Fresh, So Clean by Outkast
5. Young Forever by Jay-Z
http://www.NibMor.com
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