Taco Lettuce Wraps

Taco Lettuce Wraps are my favourite, filling low-carb meal. Tacos are so versatile and fun as a packed lunch, too, since you get to assemble everything when it’s time to eat (like a lunchable!). I like to pack the meat or meat substitute, cashew sour cream (and other toppings) and washed lettuce wraps separately, that way I can heat up the meat and assemble everything when I’m eating. You can also assemble everything beforehand if you don’t mind all of your fillings being cold for your tacos.

Soba Noodle Soup Jars

Soba Noodle Soup is a delicious just-add-water meal. It works best when you have a kettle or hot water machine available when it’s time to eat, but you can also fill a good thermos with boiling water to bring with you on the side. These jars are super customizable for tastes and dietary preferences as well, so you’ll always be having a meal that you love!

Cashew Chicken Ramen

Cashew Chicken with Forbidden Rice Ramen is still my absolute favourite recipe that I have created for the website. Everytime I make it it’s like I had forgotten how good it was. This meal is also a one-pot recipe, so there’s less to clean up during your meal prepping time. You also don’t need to store the components in separate containers. Pack hot in a thermos or cold (along with an ice pack) in your favourite tupperware to reheat when you’re ready to eat!

Mashed Chickpea Salad

Mashed Chickpea Salad is my vegan answer to egg salad, without the smell! This recipe can be served on your favourite toast with greens in a sandwich, in washed lettuce wraps with added crunchy toppings, or spread in celery or hollowed out cucumbers like “ants on a log”. Don’t forget, if you don’t want the garlic smell at school or work, you can always leave it out.

Shepherd’s Pie

Guinness Shepherd’s Pie is an amazing meal prep and freezer meal… just make the shepherd’s pie and separate into containers, then freeze or store in the fridge until you need it. My recipe is perfect for the hair of the dog when you have classes the day after dollar beers. Even though the alcohol is well cooked out by the time it’s ready to eat, the Guinness should still be substituted for beef broth if you’re making this for elementary or high school kiddos.

Mac & Cheese

Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese is a favourite for vegans and meat eaters alike… especially if you don’t want to be gassy for the rest of the afternoon after eating. If you’re short on time, you can omit the baking step and just divide the creamy pasta into a thermos and/or containers to reheat later. Mixing this recipe in with some veggie ground (or ground meat of choice) makes for a delicious, healthier, homemade hamburger helper that I can’t get enough of… though, you might want to add some veggies in with it for added nutrients to your delicious meal. I love a simple salad on the side of the baked version, and green peas or cherry tomatoes with the hamburger helper version.

Vegetarian Mediterranean Meal

Mediterranean meals are my favourite to eat, as I can never get sick of them, and they’re typically packed with nutrients. Greek salad is my favourite way to eat veggies, tzatziki and roasted red pepper hummus are my absolute favourite dips, and having a vegetarian patty with these adds beautiful flavour and nutrition. With some crispy artichokes on the side, this vegetarian meal is complete. There are many different recipes that you can make for vegetarian mediterranean meals (i.e. falafels!) but the following are some of the recipes that I have created for easy lunches. For added carbohydrates and energy, you can always cook up some rice or potatoes to go along with these staples.

Greek Salad

Vegan Cashew Tzatziki

Black Bean Burgers

Crispy Artichoke Hearts (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Protein Bistro Box

As an added bonus lunch, that doesn’t ever really have a recipe, I wanted to include Protein Bistro Boxes. These are a great way to use up leftovers in the house, and, like a mezze platter, they so much fun to eat. Although I never have a set recipe,  the following is the formula I try to follow to get the most out of this lunch box…

3 proteins (ex. cheese, prosciutto, boiled egg, hummus, nuts, crispy tofu, roasted chickpeas, pepperoni sticks)
2 fruits and/or veggies (ex. carrot sticks, red grapes, peppers, cherry tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, berries, zucchini spears)
1 crunchy vessel (ex. almond flour crackers, sprouted whole grain bread, toasted naan, blue corn chips, plantain chips)

…this formula can be adjusted for so many dietary needs. Whether you eat vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, nut-free, low-carb, low FODMAP, etc. there is always something for you in this lunch box.