Bowls – My Day Is Booked

How To Meal Prep The Perfect Lunch Bowl

January 20, 2021Leave a comment

Hey friends! I know that prepping lunches/dinners for school/work can be a STRUGGLE. I’ve been there, believe me. So today I’m sharing how to meal prep the perfect lunch bowl, to give you a bit of inspiration to make lunch the best part of the day again!

Packing lunches is difficult for a number of reasons. It could be that you have no idea what to make, or that you’re just lazy (I get you). It’s times like these when it’s the hardest hard to fit nutritious food into your diet. When you don’t feel like prepping food or are lost as to what to even pack, it’s easier to grab more processed snacks and faster, less nutrient dense options. So this is why lunches need to be

a) Exciting

b) Quick and Easy to Make

c) FREAKING DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS

Having a slew of super tasty lunch ideas available makes it way more likely that you’ll have the desire to meal prep, because you’ll know that your future self will be thanking you. And if said delicious ideas are fast and simple to prepare, even better! It won’t be a laborious chore to make sure that you’re nourished everyday. Which is, of course, the goal. To NOURISH YOUR BODY so that you can be the best version of yourself possible. You can’t do that if you’re consistently packing you’re not having a good lunch- whether you’re consistently packing a couple of chocolate bars and a bag of chips, or s few cucumber slices. I have a ton of great lunch options under School Lunches on my site, but keep reading for my perfect bowl formula.

Like I just said, you can’t pack a super tiny lunch full of junk food or just veggies and expect to feel satisfied. You need BALANCE people. BALANCE! And that’s what I love about these bowls. You get your veggies, your complex carbs (aka ones that will help keep you fuller longer), AND your protein (also fills you up), all in a neat little package that is customizable based on what you have, what you like, and what you feel like preparing. The point is, you get a delicious meal that is simple and easy to make. Which is the optimum recipe for meal prepping success!

Once you have these bowls made, feel free to add a little something extra on the side, whether that be more fruits and veggies, or a little treat. If you’re getting all of your required nutrients in to fuel you throughout the day, of course you can have a lil something sweet- check out my healthy desserts here. It keeps things interesting and satisfying.

Before I present you with this bowl building guide, let me assert this point- UTILIZE LEFTOVERS! Whether it’s some chicken from that night’s dinner, some quinoa you made a few days ago, or some random roasted veggies that you have in your fridge, leftovers of all kinds are welcome in these bowls and are a part of what makes them so quick and easy!

You’ll definitely notice the difference once you fuel up properly, as opposed to being unsatisfied with your lunch choices. And this is incentive should be enough to keep on meal prepping! I hope that this perfect bowl formula helps you out- it’s my go-to lunch almost every day! Let’s get into the very simple steps.

Step 1: Choose Your Complex Carbs

Carbs are IMPORTANT because they give you energy for the day ahead, and help you feel full! Don’t leave em out. What is also important, however, is making sure that you’re choosing whole grain and complex carbs that release energy more slowly and provide you with more nutrients than more quick to release, simple carbs. Think whole wheat bread instead of white bread, and brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice. But if you don’t have whole grain options on hand, don’t shy away from using carbs like white rice. You still need that energy, and carbs shouldn’t be something to be afraid of. Fill your tupperware to about a 1/4 full with your carb of choice! Some of my favourite complex carb ideas are:

Sweet Potato (see my 5 Minute “Baked” Sweet Potato for a quick option)
Quinoa
Brown rice
Sprouted grain bread
Toasted whole wheat tortillas
Brown rice crackers
Couscous
Barley
Whole wheat pasta or brown rice noodles

Step 2: Add Your Veggies

Veggies are full of nutrients and are an essential part of these bowls! Both fresh and cooked options work great- or use a combination of the two. I always like to have a bunch of different veggies on hand in the fridge, ready to be used for such situations. Be sure to pick veggies that YOU LIKE- don’t force yourself to eat stuff you hate, because that is not sustainable. Fill your tupperware at least 1/2 full with veg- here are some ideas:

Tomatoes
Cucumber
Corn, peas, or other defrosted frozen veggies
Beets
Cauliflower
Zucchini
Carrots (I grate mine- game changer!)
Spinach
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Celery
Broccoli
Peppers
Olives
The list goes on and on!

Step 3: Pick Your Protein

Protein is vital- it helps keep you feeling fuller longer, and is necessary to build muscle tissue and for your body to function in general! When you think protein, you may just be thinking of your conventional sources- meat- which can be hard to include if you don’t have any ready to go. There are a TON of easy protein options out there though! Many of them can be prepped before hand, and a bunch of others are ready to go as is. These are some great healthy protein options to add to your bowl:

Boiled eggs (I love boiling a bunch at a time, and having them ready to use for the next few days)
Chicken, pork, or beef (including leftovers, or meat that you cook in a batch for meal prep)
Canned tuna (mix with some mashed avocado so it’s less dry)
Canned beans- black, red kidney, navy, etc.
Chickpeas- drained and rinsed from the can, or roasted (see my 3 Flavours of Crispy Chickpeas for ideas!)
Falafel (see my favourite falafel recipe here)
Tofu
Veggie burgers

Step 4: Finish With Flavour And Healthy Fats

Ok, so we’ve got carbs, veg, and protein, which, on their own, should taste pretty good. You can see that I added some more protein in the form of chickpeas to this bowl as well. But to make these bowls even better, be sure to add some healthy fats and flavour at the end! I’m talking homemade dressings, hummus, tzatziki, avocado, nuts and seeds, or simply some balsamic vinegar! Healthy fats are a necessary part of your diet, and make your lunches that much more satisfying. Try and stay away from store bought dips and dressings- they can be full of preservatives, sugars, and other not so nice ingredients! Some finishing touches I like to add to my bowls are:

Dips and dressings (see my favourite recipes here)
Hummus
Salsa
Vinegars (love my balsamic)
Avocado
Nuts
Seeds

There you have it- the perfect steps to make your meal prep dreams come true! There are so many combinations and that’s something that I love about this formula, but here are some flavour combo ideas if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed:

Brown rice with cucumbers, spinach, mushrooms, grated carrot, Soy Marinated Tofu, and Peanut Dressing.
Quinoa with cucumbers, tomatoes, red peppers, olives, red onion, Falafel, and Hummus.
Sweet Potato with spinach, red onion, peppers, corn, roasted chickpeas and balsamic vinegar.
Toasted whole wheat tortilla with tomato, corn, peppers, black beans, salsa and chicken.
Couscous with beets, cauliflower, grated carrots, boiled eggs, almonds and Creamy Avocado Balsamic Dressing.

All of those combos sound amazing! Go ahead and get creative, and I promise that these steps will help you to create delicious, filling and nutritious lunches and keep you coming back for more.

Yours Truly,

Olivia:))

Mexican Sautéed Corn

November 18, 2020January 6, 20212 Comments

Hey guys! If you don’t already know, I love corn. And sweet potatoes. And peanut butter. And granola. But today we’re focusing on corn, and this delicious side dish! It’s quick, simple, and so so good:)

Frozen corn is just amazing, guys. It’s so speedy and makes a great addition to any meal or bowl🙌 You know what else it’s good for? Sautéing! To make this corn I started by frying up some onions and peppers, which add flavour and a little something extra👌 Then I added lots of corn and some tasty spices to bring everything together. Delish!

The spices I used include cumin, cayenne powder, garlic powder, paprika and oregano. This gives all the veggies a great Mexican flair, and makes them a great side dish for tacos, or as an add in in a burrito bowl! That would be really good actually now that I think about it. There may be a burrito bowl coming your way soon lol😂

Enjoy this simple but healthy and super tasty Mexican Sautéed Corn!

Mexican Sautéed Corn

Serves: 4

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
2 2/3 cups frozen corn
1 bell pepper, diced
1/2 a yellow onion, diced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprkia
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add in the onions and peppers, and cook until the onions are translucent and the peppers are soft, about 6 minutes.
Add the corn and all of the spices to the pan. Stir to combine.
Cook until the water from the frozen corn has evaporated, and the corn gets a bit of char. Remove from the heat.
Serve the corn warm and enjoy!

Let me know if you try out this recipe! It’s a good one:)

Yours Truly,

MyDayIsBooked:)))

Curry Marinated Tofu Bowl

November 16, 2020January 6, 2021Leave a comment

Happy Monday everyone! I have an awesome recipe for you guys that’s great for lunch, dinner, or meal prepping. It’s fresh, full of flavour, and so healthy and filling!

I haven’t had tofu in a while, but a few blocks have been in my freezer, waiting to be cooked up. I read an article recently that says frozen tofu is actually more easy to use and better to eat. The freezing expands the pores in the tofu because the water in it expands, which makes it more receptive to marinades. It’s also easier to press; you just have to give it a couple of presses with a plate to get the majority of the water out. Plus, freezing generally gives tofu a firmer texture. That’s great for what we’re doing with it today- pan searing!

I had my tofu already portioned out into three blocks which were about 85g each. Then I added them to a Ziploc bag with curry powder, coriander, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes, along with olive oil and lemon juice. The tofu is marinated for at least three hours, although you can go for six or eight if you have the time! After marination, I fried up my tofu “steaks” until they got a nice, crispy exterior. So tasty and a great source of plant based protein!

The other components of this bowl are just as flavourful. We have some couscous cooked in coconut milk, and a delicious olive, tomato, cucumber and avocado salad!! So, you’ve got your protein, your carbs, and your veggies. A perfectly balanced meal! Of course, I couldn’t resist throwing some hummus on top of there too😂 Definitely feel free to add some to your bowl as well, along with any other condiments you like:)

Enjoy this awesome bowl!

Curry Marinated Tofu Bowl

Serves: 3

Total Time: 195 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Marinated Tofu:

3 85g blocks of firm or extra firm tofu, thawed from frozen (if using fresh, follow steps to properly press your tofu before hand, and disregard step 1).
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp (for cooking)
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Couscous:

1 400ml can of light coconut milk
1 cup of golden couscous
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Salad:

1 tomato, diced
1/2 a cucumber, diced
12 black olives, pitted and cut in halves
1/2 a ripe avocado
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place your blocks of tofu on a flat cutting board lined with paper towel. Use a plate or another cutting board to press down on the tofu and remove any excess water. Repeat a few times until most of the liquid has been pressed out.
Add the tofu to a bag with the rest of the marinating ingredients (except the 1 tbsp of olive oil for frying). Mix everything together in the bag and make sure that the blocks are evenly coated in the marinade. Place the bag in the fridge and let the flavours soak into the tofu for at least 3 hours; go 6-8 if you can.
While the tofu is marinating, bring the can of coconut milk to a boil in a small pot. Add in the couscous, remove from the heat, and stir. Cover the pot and let the couscous stand for 5 minutes, until the milk had been absorbed. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and set aside.
In a medium sized bowl, mash the avocado and add in the rest of the salad ingredients. Mix to combine, then set aside.
Once the tofu is done marinating, remove each block from the bag and cut it in half.
Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add in the tofu “steaks” and cook until nice and browned, about 3-4 minutes. Flip over and cook on the other side for an additional 4 minutes. Then remove from the heat.
To assemble each bowl, put some couscous on the bottom, followed by some salad, and then finish with two slices of tofu. Top with hummus or another condiment of choice:)

Hope this recipe brightens up your Monday! Have an awesome rest of your week, and I’ll see you on Wednesday with another great recipe:)

Yours Truly,

Olivia:)))

Fall Harvest Bowls

October 16, 2020January 6, 2021Leave a comment

A part of shifting into fall mode for me is roasting all of those awesome fall veggies and making some hearty bowls. And of course I had to throw some sweet potatoes into this one- you know me and my sweet potatoes. Bowls are just a simple, healthy dinner idea that are quick to make and great for meal prep and busy evenings. Today I’m featuring a bunch of delicious fall ingredients, tied together with an apple cider vinegar dressing. Yum!

You guys like Brussels sprouts, right? I love them, and so I roasted a bunch of them up with my sweet potatoes till they were nice and crispy. I also got out my frozen corn. Frozen corn is like the most underrated thing. It’s so tasty and it’s ready in less than five minutes! Sometimes I just eat it as a snack. So so far we’ve got Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, corn, and some delicious dressing.

Next is quinoa, some avocado, and a soft boiled egg. I’ve been big on eggs lately too. They’re fast to cook and are a great source of protein.When you’ve got that golden yolk just bringing everything together in your bowl it’s just perfection😍 On top of all that I sprinkled some pumpkin seeds for an extra touch of fall, and then voila! You’ve got the perfect fall bowl that’s simple, healthy and so yum.

Hope you enjoy!

Fall Harvest Bowl

Serves: 2

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Bowl:

1 medium sized sweet potato, peeled and cut into cubes a couple of centimetres big
8 Brussels sprouts, washed with the outer leaves removed, and cut in half
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup water
2 cups frozen corn, defrosted
1 avocado
2 eggs
Handful of pumpkin seeds to sprinkle on top (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp maple syrup
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Toss the cubed sweet potatoes and halved Brussels sprouts in a bowl with the olive oil and some salt and pepper. Dump them on a parchment lined baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, until soft and caramelized.
While the veggies are roasting, bring the quinoa and water to boil in a small pot. Lower the heat for a simmer, then cover and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit until needed.
In another pot, bring water to a boil and add in the eggs. Depending on the egg size, I boil my eggs for 7-8 minutes for a runny yolk. If you have small eggs I would do 5-6 minutes. Transfer the eggs to a boil of cold water after boiling to prevent them from continuing to cook.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients, then set aside.
Build your bowls! To each bowl, add in half the quinoa, corn, roasted veggies, avocado, and an egg. Drizzle with the dressing and then sprinkle with pumpkin seeds to finish.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Yours Truly,

Olivia:)

10 Bowl and Salad Recipes

June 28, 2020January 5, 20212 Comments

Hey there! I am officially making today bowl and salad appreciation day. Salads are so underrated, and for good reason. If done wrong, they can be sad and flavourless. But if done right, they are the BEST THING EVER! Salads and bowls are so fresh and so quick and easy to make.

Over the years I’ve posted a lot of bowl and salad recipes, and these are my favourite ones. Each one is full of veggies, and sometimes grains and beans which makes them both light AND filling. And all of these salads have AWESOME dressings. I feel like the dressing really makes the salad. When there’s a good sauce it just brings everything to the next level.

Even if you don’t have all of the ingredients to make one of the recipes linked down below, you can still make a killer salad or bowl on your own. One of my favourite things to do for lunch is to throw a bunch of delicious things in a bowl and toss them with a yum dressing. Try combining a grain, like wild rice or quinoa, with some veggies, something crunchy like nuts or seeds, and some protein in the form of beans or meat. That’s a winning combo right there!

I hope you like all of the recipes down below! They will definitely convince you that salads are the best.

Thai Ribbon Salad

This salad is so fresh! It has spinach, peppers, any protein you’d like, and the secret weapon- delicious ribbons of zucchini, cucumber and carrot made with a veggie peeler! A peanut dressing tops it all off;))

Loaded Maple Balsamic Salad

This salad is FULL of veggies, with a male balsamic dressing that ROCKS. I love the corn, and the mashed avo is the cherry on top.

Orange Kale Salad

Kale and oranges? Whaaaaaat? But trust me, this combo is amazing! There’s just the right amount of sweetness, and the white beans add a little something extra. This is great as a side salad, or for a light lunch!

Chickpea, Quinoa, and Avocado Salad

This makes an awesome summer side salad! It uses avo as part of the dressing, making it creamy and full of freshness. The peppers give it some necessary crunch;))