Quick and Easy Lunch Ideas

Can you believe it's Thursday already?

For some reason, Mondays usually drag by for me, then Tuesday and Wednesday fly by, and before I know it, it's the weekend!  I'm not complaining- fast work weeks are always a good thing!

Today I wanted to share a few quick and easy lunch ideas.  I mentioned in my August goals that I wanted to pack a lunch every day (spoiler alert- not going so well).  I'm not really a sandwich/fruit/snack every day kind of person, so I wanted to talk about what I bring.  For the most part, I love to pack leftovers for lunch, or plan out my meals on Sundays.  That way, it's no extra effort and I save money (and food).  Win-win!  I hope you like my ideas, and I would love to hear what you bring to lunch.

I'm also hosting a giveaway thanks to Sweat Pink and Freekeh Foods! Keep reading to find out how to enter :) (Giveaway is over!  Congratulations to Kristen for winning!) Since I'm trying out freekeh for the first time, I'm also going to be linking up with Jess and Sara!

 

Healthy Side + Protein

By far, my favorite thing to bring for lunch is a healthy side dish with a protein.  It's really easy when prepping for the week, because you can make one big batch and divide it into separate dishes for each day of the week, and you're done!

First, I made a salad with freekeh as a base and added edamame, cucumbers, Gala apples and Pear Champagne dressing from Trader Joes (my favorite).  I also added in some goat cheese for creaminess and salmon for protein.  It was my first time trying freekeh (I received two packages to try from Sweat Pink) and I loved it!  It was a perfect base for a salad like this and had a nice little crunch.

I'll be giving away a package of freekeh in the flavor of your choice, so be sure to read instructions on how to enter at the end of the post!


Next, I have a bean salad- made up of black and navy beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions and kale.  I brought in some frozen chicken to mix in.  Nice and simple!  Sometimes, I'll be lazy and just bring in frozen chicken or other protein, and buy a side dish to mix in.  Even easier, and saves some money rather than buying a full meal!

International Bento Boxes

I love to have a mixture of different foods in my lunch, and creating your own Bento Box is a fun way to eat. I find a lot of exotic foods at Trader Joe's as well as the Strip District in Pittsburgh.  It's fun to try out different cuisines and have little tapas for lunch!

This one is my Greek-inspired Bento.  I included grape leaves, cured meat, cheese, marinated artichokes and mushrooms, and a lentil salad (lentils+kale+tomatoes).

There's also lots of ideas over on the Organized Bites website.  Seriously..how cute is this Charlie Brown-inspired box!?  I may be 25 but I would love having that for lunch!

Freeform Sushi

Who doesn't love sushi?  It takes a lot of work to learn the technique to make it, but this free-form version has all the same great taste without making Jiro Ono cry.

I started with a base of quinoa (you can use rice or freekeh as well) and topped it with smoked salmon, cucumbers, tuna/mayonnaise mixture and seedweed snacks.  This is completely custumizable for the type of sushi you like!

Jenny just posted her newest Takeout Fakeout recipe of a pan sushi roll, which I am trying ASAP!  The way she made this would give you multiple servings.  Sushi for lunch everyday?  YES PLEASE!!

Giveaway

Freekeh Foods is giving away a package of freekeh in a flavor of your choice: original, rosemary sage (my favorite), or tamari.  There's so many different recipes to use this amazing grain, and I can't wait to try them all out (check out some ideas here- I think I'll make the Warm Breakfast Freekeh next). 

To enter, leave a comment below with your favorite lunch idea!  You can also get extra entries by:
-following @freekehfoods on Twitter
-following @freekehfoods on Instagram
-liking Freekeh Foods on Facebook
-tweeting about the giveaway using #LoveFreekeh or #Freekeh and tagging me (@gretchenbraun)
sorry, but giveaway is for U.S. residents only!

Please leave a separate comment for each method you're using to enter, and I'll announce a winner on August 31! 

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 5:20 AM

    lunch is always a tough one for me, especially when I needed to plan it ahead to take with me! I am not a sandwich person either so I usually went with big salads prepared in advance with lots of roasted vegetables but half of the time, it wasn't what I even wanted. don't ask me what it is I wanted because I really don't know, although, I could probably live on frozen yogurt for lunch and not complain!

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    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:09 PM

      Oh yes, I could also live off frozen yogurt. Sounds good to me :)

      Delete
  2. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 5:40 AM

    I typically eat lunch on the go or at work (waitress) so I guess it would be a tuna salad or egg salad sandwich stuffed into a flatout wrap :) I love omelettes if I have time though!

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    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:10 PM

      I love those too! I wish they didn't smell though..I feel bad bringing them in since I eat at my cube!

      Delete
  3. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeAugust 20, 2015 at 6:21 AM

    um, how amazing is your free form sushi, and that pan sushi? yum! sushi can be so expensive when i buy it already made so i totally want to try this. I have never had freekeh before.
    i have been trying to eat out less as well, like you it isn't going so well for this month lol!!
    i really like pasta or one pot meals for lunch, they are so easy and make so many portions - but i get sick of them easily! i love the idea of protein + a side, but i rarely do it lol. i need to buy some frozen chicken like that, it looks better than the chicken i cook ;)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:11 PM

      I love getting frozen chicken! It's probably not the healthiest option, but it's really quick and easy. I'll also try to cook a big batch of chicken at the beginning of the week, but sometimes I'm just lazy!

      Delete
  4. JamieAugust 20, 2015 at 6:42 AM

    I really love the first salad you made. It sounds absolutely delicious and super refreshing in the hot summer!

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  5. Jenny @ apples & kaleAugust 20, 2015 at 7:03 AM

    Your bean salad looks amazing!!

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:12 PM

      I actually got that one from Bluebird Kitchens, but I have to try to recreate it! It was so good.

      Delete
  6. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    I love the name of it: Freekeh. The name alone makes me want to try it out!

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 7:41 AM

    Hi Gretchen! I loved trying Freekeh. And I love your lunch ideas. Bento Box? Totally cool! I'm following Freekah on Twitter! :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:12 PM

      Thanks for stopping by and entering Ashley! Glad you liked the bento box idea. It's so good!

      Delete
  8. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    I want to try that pan sushi so much! Sushi is my weakness. The Strip District always has such interesting ideas too. Every time I go grocery shopping downtown, I always come home with some new ingredient that I have no idea how to prepare but I try to cook anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:13 PM

      It does look really good..I have to give it a go too! The Strip is the best :)

      Delete
  9. EmilyAugust 20, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    I tweeted about it! :) I would love to try this. And I <3 how much you seem to like Oriental food. I'm 1/4 japanese, so I have an affinity for Oriental food, having grown up with it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:14 PM

      I love trying new cuisines! Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, German, Italian..all good in my book :) Thanks for entering Emily!

      Delete
  10. Heather [is probably running]August 20, 2015 at 8:01 AM

    I pack a lunch nearly every day, maybe 1-2 days per month that I don't have time. For me, it really helps to do all of the food prep on Sundays so in the morning it is just grab and go. Lately my favorite lunch is pizza. I'll make a homemade pizza on Sunday, wrap the slices individually, and grab a slice every day. Plus with homemade I can use whole grain crust and control the toppings. I pair it with some veggies and fruit to balance out the unhealthiness (actually I don't think it is that bad at all since I need the carbs to fuel my runs).

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    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:15 PM

      I completely agree! If I plan on Sunday, I have no problem packing. Otherwise I get lazy and just don't do it, then eat out every day. Time to meal plan for next week! Love your idea of homemade pizza :)

      Delete
  11. Jess @hellotofitAugust 20, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    [not entering the giveaway because I participated in the campaign as well] I'm having a hard time packing lunches, too! I think what would help is if I planned the night before, and even if I packed my lunch.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:15 PM

      Definitely! Packing a lunch is the last thing I want to do at 6 in the morning! Thanks for hosting the link up :)

      Delete
  12. Fairytales and FitnessAugust 20, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    When I go back to school this year I will be teaching in a different facility in which I do not have a fridge or microwave in my room like I did before. This means i'm going to have to be more creative on what I pack for lunch. I'm really gonna try to keep it as healthy as I can though.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:17 PM

      Wow, that's going to be rough! I would be interested to see some ideas you come up with for lunch! Good luck :)

      Delete
  13. Jacquelyn @justjacqAugust 20, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    I love making cheese and meat plates for lunch! I never think to add artichokes to my dishes even though I absolutely freak out whenever there is an artichoke in my food! Freak out in a good way. I've never tried freekah or even heard of it! For easy lunches when I'm short on time I actually love to make tuna fish salad. I cut back on the mayo to make it a bit better but there is something just so easy, delicious, and nostalgic about a tuna fish salad sandwich! I toast the bread too. Mmmmm. (had one yesterday, can you tell?)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 20, 2015 at 12:19 PM

      I love how you made the tuna fish salad healthier. Great idea ! I've also heard of substituting greek yogurt for mayo..have you tried that? I might have to make one for lunch sometime soon (hopefully it won't be too stinky).

      Delete
  14. HollieAugust 20, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    I follow freekehfoods on twitter.

    I'm glad someone else likes grape leaves as much as I do. They are seriously the best.

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 1:52 PM

    Ahhh! How have I never heard of freeform sushi? Such a genius idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 21, 2015 at 7:13 AM

      I found it on Pinterest and it's such a great idea! You should try it out :)

      Delete
  16. Emma ByersAugust 20, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    I'm so impressed with all of your healthy food choices, Gretchen. Thanks for the inspiration!

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 21, 2015 at 7:13 AM

      Thanks so much Emma! I'm glad you liked my ideas :)

      Delete
  17. Jessie MAugust 20, 2015 at 5:59 PM

    Love the sushi ideas. I may have to venture down to the Strip, to make a stop at Wholey's and then the Asian market.

    I love to make lunches that freeze well. I'm a Sunday meal prepper. Usually I'll try to make 6 portions of something, and freeze 2, then, I've got a slightly rotating stock so I don't have to eat the same thing every day, and if I ever miss meal prepping it doesn't leave me running for take out.

    This week I made a super simple curry (1 can coconut milk + 14 oz can diced tomatoes, juice & all + 6 oz can tomato paste + 3 TBS curry powder) I add diced onion, pepper & spinach too. I serve it over rice/cauliflower with chicken. So tasty, and the curry freezes really well!

    Frozen veggies are my friend. I can add them to my tupperware and they're thawed out by lunch time. Little butter, salt & pepper, viola, instant side dish. :)

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    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 21, 2015 at 7:14 AM

      Thanks so much for all those ideas Jessie! Definitely trying out that curry..one of my favorite foods!

      Delete
  18. julie WunderAugust 21, 2015 at 7:51 AM

    Your freekah recipe looks amazing! I enjoy edamame in about anything!

    ReplyDelete
  19. julie WunderAugust 21, 2015 at 7:51 AM

    Your freekah recipe looks amazing! I enjoy edamame in about anything!

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownAugust 23, 2015 at 5:46 PM

    I've never tried it but would love to! My lunches are always leftovers from dinner. Tomorrow's lunch will be Spicy Mushroom Stir Fry, with shrooms cooked in a veg broth/soy sauce/sweet red chili sauce plus spices and mixed with brown rice and cubed tofu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 28, 2015 at 7:51 AM

      Leftovers are so easy! That sounds like a perfect meal..I just bought some mushrooms so I might have to try that out :)

      Delete
  21. Roberta MasonAugust 27, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    The bean salad sounds great!

    ReplyDelete
  22. BethEldertonAugust 30, 2015 at 5:37 AM

    I usually have a set supply of lunch and breakfast items--cheeses, quick smoothies, homemade cookies, etc., and a variety of each. Then I make enough dinner to have leftovers available for lunch. Your sushi may be a life-changing idea!
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. BethEldertonAugust 30, 2015 at 5:38 AM

    I like Freekah Foods on FB as Mary Beth Elderton
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. [Whatever U are, be a good one!]August 30, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    Your recipes look so cute and healthy! I love them all :)
    I always love salads, sticky rice with spicy sausages, and yogurt for lunch :)
    Thank You for the chance to enter!

    Fiona N
    iceyogurt(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. [Whatever U are, be a good one!]August 30, 2015 at 11:17 AM

    I am following @freekehfoods on Instagram @greenavocado

    Fiona N

    ReplyDelete
  26. [Whatever U are, be a good one!]August 30, 2015 at 11:18 AM

    I liked freekehfoods on facebook as name: fiona nuyen

    Fiona N

    ReplyDelete
  27. [Whatever U are, be a good one!]August 30, 2015 at 11:18 AM

    I tweeted this awesome giveaway: https://twitter.com/carabao62/status/638051758741127168

    Thank You again!

    Fiona N

    ReplyDelete
  28. aperryAugust 30, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    Bentonville box lunches are awesome. I like to serve organic strawberries and organic cashews, organic cheese and organic broccoli.

    ReplyDelete
  29. aperryAugust 30, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    following @freekehfoods on Twitter
    @missanneperry

    ReplyDelete
  30. aperryAugust 30, 2015 at 1:23 PM

    Morrighan Crowe
    -liking Freekeh Foods on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  31. aperryAugust 30, 2015 at 1:23 PM

    Perryannee
    -following @freekehfoods on Instagram

    ReplyDelete
  32. aperryAugust 30, 2015 at 1:26 PM

    https://mobile.twitter.com/missanneperry/status/638085241693802496

    ReplyDelete
  33. eclairreAugust 30, 2015 at 2:23 PM

    bean salad. yum! eclairre at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Angela SaverAugust 30, 2015 at 8:52 PM

    I love the Takeout Fakeout recipe of a pan sushi roll! Such a great idea! I like to make avocado wraps, filled with lots of veggies for lunch!

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousAugust 31, 2015 at 5:21 PM

    bean salad

    ReplyDelete
  36. okasanbearSeptember 1, 2015 at 3:09 AM

    Love maki sushi, and wraps for lunch

    ReplyDelete

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