Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Quick & Easy lunches to go!

Are you headed to graduate school, work or college and refuse to eat out every day for lunch? Not only will it save you some room in the wallet, it is also much healthier to prepare your own lunch! (smaller portions and more health conscious) Here are some easy ideas!

Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich
1 chicken breast (will make 2 sandwiches...if you want lunch for the whole week, throw in another one!)
Your favorite BBQ sauce (I am a big fan of TJs BOLD sauce!)
Salt & Pepper to taste--maybe even a little cayenne pepper if you like a kick!
Cheddar cheese slices
Whole Wheat Sandwich thins

1. Poach chicken breast in a medium saucepan for 15-20 mins, depending on its size. (If frozen, maybe a little longer. Ideally, the chicken breast should be white in color and cooked all the way through.)
2. When cooked, run under cool water and shred the chicken using 2 forks.
3. Spoon sauce over chicken and mix thoroughly, add spices as desired.
4. Put a few spoonfuls of BBQ Chicken on the sandwich thin with a slice of cheddar cheese.

Voila! You have got a delicious sandwich on your hands. It tastes great cold but if you have access to a microwave at work, pop it in for 30 seconds to melt the cheese. (This is much more exciting than the average turkey and cheese sandwich.)

***Place leftover shredded chicken in a Tupperware and keep it in the fridge until the next morning (or whenever you pack your next lunch)!

Pack some pop chips, your favorite fruit and some pickles on the side! :)

Basic Chicken Salad Sandwich
1 chicken breast
light mayo
green onions
salt & pepper to taste
Your favorite cheese
Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins

1. Poach chicken breast in a medium saucepan for 15-20 mins, depending on its size. (If frozen, maybe a little longer. Ideally, the chicken breast should be white in color and cooked all the way through.)
2. When cooked, run under cool water and shred the chicken using 2 forks.
3. Add mayo, onions, salt & pepper to the shredded chicken and combine.
4. Spoon over sandwich thin and add a slice of your favorite cheese!

**Save the rest in a Tupperware until the next lunch! ...Usually lasts for about 3-4 days.

Greek Couscous
1 package of Couscous
1/4 cup cherry tomatoes; sliced in half
1/4 cup cucumbers; thinly diced
Green onions--to taste
1/4 cup Feta cheese (Or more, if you love it!)
4 tablespoons olive oil --more or less, to taste.
1 tablespoon dill
1 tablespoon TJ's 21 salute OR Mrs. Dash salt-free Original blend
Salt to taste
1 lemon; juiced (Only use half of the lemon when you prepare it, bring a slice to go and squeeze before eating.)

1. Prepare Couscous as directed on box.
2. Add the ingredients above and mix thoroughly.
3. Bring a lemon slice to work and squeeze on top before eating!
**Should make enough for 2 or 3 lunches! :)

Hummus & Veggie Pita Sandwich
Whole Wheat Pita Bread
Your Favorite Hummus
Cucumbers; sliced
Cherry tomatoes; sliced in half
Purple Onions
Feta Cheese
Lemon Juice
Salt to taste
***If you have some leftover chicken on hand, throw it in there as well!

Slice round pita in half and carefully pull apart to make 2 pockets. Spread hummus and add veggies, Feta, lemon juice and salt. Wrap pita pockets tightly in foil so that the ingredients do not fall out during transportation.

These are just a few ideas! & don't forget your healthy snacks throughout the day... (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, almonds, apples, etc.)

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