by 
When you work outside the home, what to have for lunch can become a real conundrum. Wages being what they are, I can’t afford to buy myself lunch everyday. But I love food and I want to eat something yummy for lunch. That’s why my Crunchy Quinoa Salad is such a winner. Tasty, filling and super simple to throw together this lunchbox idea solves the question of, “What am I going to have for lunch today.”
For a long time my food choices were based solely on taste (see my red licorice lunches). Over the last few years I’ve come to realised that ultimately, balance is key. This body I’m living in has to last me my whole life. It’s up to me to make sure I’m being kind to myself and mindful about what I consume.
Having said that, for me, eating is not just about nourishment but pleasure too. Luckily, tasty and healthy do not have to be mutually exclusive. But to make it work on the regular sometimes, you do have to plan ahead.
Which brings me to my Crunchy Quinoa Salad Lunchbox. Super tasty and nourishing this lunchbox is one of my favorites. I make a big batch of the Crunchy Quinoa Salad on a Sunday which gives me around 3 – 4 days worth of work lunches. That way when I’m on auto pilot in the morning (yes, I’m one of those zombie people in the mornings 😉 ) I can just bung all the components into my lunchbox and I’m ready to go.
The combination of nuts, seeds and raw veggies keeps things interesting while the quinoa provides lots of that lovely slow burning energy. Throw in some mixed lettuce leaves, green olives and raw zucchini slices and the person at the next desk will think you actually did go out and buy your lunch!
What about you – what’s your favorite lunchbox idea?
Crunchy Quinoa Salad Lunchbox
Serves 1
For the Crunchy Quinoa Salad
1 cup cooked quinoa (I like to use a mixture of white and red quinoa)
1/4 red onion (diced)
1 stick celery (sliced)
1/2 cup pecans (roughly chopped)
1/3 cup pepitas (toasted)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
Basic Dijon Dressing
2 tbs olive oil
1 tbs apple cider vinegar
1 heaped tsp Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
The rest…
1 cup mixed lettuce leaves
6-8 slices of raw zucchini
2-3 green olives (cut in halves)
Method:
- First make your dressing. Combine all dressing ingredients in a small, clean glass jar and either shake vigorously (lid on) or mix with a mini whisk.
- Put all the ingredients for your Crunchy Quinoa Salad into a large glass mixing bowl. Pour the Basic Dijon Dressing over the top and gently mix through. Cover with cling film and pop your salad in the fridge until you need it.
- To assemble your lunchbox, start with your mixed lettuce leaves – cover the bottom of the lunchbox with them. Pop around 1/2 cup Crunchy Quinoa Salad into one corner and your zucchini slices in the other. Now, sprinkle the halved olives over the remaining exposed lettuce.
