Instead of a boring peanut butter and jelly sandwich, start the school year off by preparing bento lunch boxes with your kids. A traditional Japanese bento box holds rice, fish or meat, and vegetables. BUT you can create custom boxes to accommodate each family member’s favorite cuisine! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
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Berry Smoothie
1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, coconut water, coconut milk or water 1/2 banana 1/2 cup frozen berries 1 serving of protein powder (preferably vegan, Garden of Life is one of my favorites) Handful of fresh kale or spinach 1 Tbsp. flaxseed oil or Udo’s oil 1/2 cup ice Blend and serve!
Homemade Meatloaf
2 tsp. canola oil 1 cup finely chopped white mushrooms 1 onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, finely chopped 1 celery stalk, finely chopped 1 pound ground bison, lean ground beef (7% fat or less) or ground turkey ½ cup quick-cooking (not instant) oats 1 large egg or 2 large egg whites 3 Tbsp. ketchup 1 … Read More
Mini-Pizzas
4 whole wheat English muffins, split and toasted 2/3 cup marinara sauce 1 cup finely chopped kale or spinach 1 yellow or green bell pepper, cored and finely chopped 1 (6-ounce) package light string cheese 16 slices black olives Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange muffins on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and spoon marinara onto … Read More
Rosemary Skewered Shrimp
12 long sprigs fresh rosemary ½ cup fresh basil leaves, sliced, plus more for garnish ½ cup coconut oil, melted 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp. lemon zest 2 tsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. crushed red chile flakes ½ tsp. sea salt ¼ tsp. ground black pepper 2 pounds large shrimp (16/20 count), peeled … Read More
Whole-Wheat Tuna Casserole
½ bag whole-wheat no yolk egg-noodles or ½ box dry whole what pasta 1 can 6 oz white water-packed albacore tuna, drained 1 cup broccoli 1 cup sliced cremini or button mushrooms ¼ cup white onion, diced 1 can organic cream of mushroom soup 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp. butter or canola oil 1 … Read More
Stuffed Peppers
½ pound lean ground beef (7% fat or less) or bison (can also use ground turkey) 1 cup cooked brown rice 1 onion, finely chopped ¼ cup frozen green peas, thawed ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp. tomato paste 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp. minced fresh thyme 1 tsp. minced fresh basil 4 … Read More
Loaded Baked Potato
1 russet or large red potato Touch of olive oil or canola oil Pinch of sea salt ½ cup broccoli ½ cup mushrooms ¼ cup onion Heat oven to 350°F. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly and using a fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during … Read More
Seared Beef Tenderloin with Truffle Jus and Mashed Cauliflower
½ cup veal or beef demi-glace 2 tsp. truffle oil 1 tsp. cornstarch (optional) 1 pound dry-aged beef tenderloin, cut into filets Pinch of salt Pinch of pepper ¼ tsp. canola oil In a small saucepan, combine the demi-glace with truffle oil. Bring to a boil and mix well. If thickening is necessary, combine cornstarch with … Read More
Hazelnut Salad
1 ½ Tbsp. fresh orange juice 1 ½ Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 ½ Tbsp. whole-grain mustard ¾ tsp. hazelnut oil 3 Tbsp. Chicken Stock 1/3 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. black pepper ½ tsp. honey 1 ¾ cup chopped romaine ¾ cup chopped radicchio 1/3 cup chopped endive ¾ cup chopped arugula ¾ cup Mandarin … Read More