January 05, 2015
5 Quick Lunches for Busy Moms
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveLunchIn #CollectiveBias
I have always been a fan of quick meals but am even more so a fan since having Adalyn. I do not have a ton of time to cook meals and I would much rather be spending time with her than slaving away over a hot stove. Now that I am back to work, I have even less time. I try to do my meal prep on Saturday or Sunday which helps me a ton during the week.
All of these meals are things that I often bring to work for lunch that hold up well, are healthy, are not your typical sandwich, keep you full and taste great. I usually make 1-2 dishes for my work week lunches and eat each item at least a couple of times. These meals can be made ahead of time or the morning of. I always make my lunch the night before so that in the morning, I can just grab my lunch and head to work.
1. A homemade soup- I made this Chicken Lemon Rice Soup recently which was great for lunches. It reheats easily, is packed with vegetables and is very filling. My Spicy Minestrone is another good one for lunches.
2. A huge salad- This one is so versatile. I love having a big salad for lunch full of any ingredients that I have on hand. Favorites include baby spinach, bell peppers, homegrown tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, roasted beets, etc. Leftovers are a great choice as part of your salad as well. Slice up leftover grilled chicken on your salad. If you are taking this to work, keep the dressing separate so it does not get soggy.
3. Stir-fry- When I make a stir-fry for dinner the night before, I make enough to have leftovers for my lunch. I pack my stir-fry pan full of vegetables and include some kind of protein such as chicken or tofu along with brown rice. This reheats very well and is packed full of nutrients.
4. Healthy tuna salad- You can make a big batch of healthy tuna salad that can last a few days and be eaten in a hurry. I pack mine full of vegetables such as cucumber, celery, green onion and bell peppers. Make it even healthier by using low-sodium tuna, light mayo or Greek yogurt and serve on whole-grain bread.
5. Pre-made soup- When you are in a hurry, pre-made soups can be a great choice for a quick lunch. I recently tried Campbell's Slow Kettle Soups. They come in flavors like tomato and sweet basil bisque, creamy broccoli cheddar bisque, and baked potato soup with applewood smoked bacon- yum! These are very tasty, heat up quickly and come in some great varieties. I really enjoyed the unique flavor of the portobello mushroom and madeira bisque paired with a salad with low-sodium chickpeas for protein. To reduce sodium intake, I would pair with low-sodium sides such as fresh vegetables and fruits.
To heat:
Stove:Heat gently over medium heat in saucepan, stirring occassionally.
Microwave: Microwave ovens vary. Time is approximate. Uneven microwave heating may cause popping, movement of the container and/or splattering.
To heat:
Stove:Heat gently over medium heat in saucepan, stirring occassionally.
Microwave: Microwave ovens vary. Time is approximate. Uneven microwave heating may cause popping, movement of the container and/or splattering.
- Discard plastic cap; carefully remove and discard metal lid. Cover with microwavable plastic wrap.
- Microwave on HIGH 2 minutes. Let stand in microwave 1 minute. Carefully remove from microwave, grasping container on both sides with potholders. Stir before serving.
This soup can be heated on the stove or in the microwave. It can be purchased at Walmart and other stores. To try this soup, use this coupon for a great deal.
Favorite lunch sides:
-Greek yogurt
-Any kind of fruit (kiwi, berries, apples, grapes, etc.)
-Sliced raw vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, green beans, celery)
-Fruit and nut bars or protein bars
-For a treat- a small piece of dark chocolate or a cookie!
What are some of your favorite lunches to eat on a busy day?
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Thank you for these fun options! I need to get to the store :) #client
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