ON-THE-GO

THERMOS OPTIONS

 

When packing a lunch either for yourself, your children, your spouse, etc. take into consideration that you have multiple options available to you. Do not limit yourself to just sack lunches or taking only dry food that won’t spoil because you don’t have a fridge. This is a great opportunity to take hot or cold lunches and snacks using a THERMOS!!

For those WARM days think of filling your thermos with these delicious and nutritious cold options:

1. Pasta Salad

a.       ½ cup whole wheat spiral pasta

b.      Chopped cherry tomatoes

c.       Chopped olives

d.      Chopped green and red bell peppers

e.       Light dressing of olive oil, salt, and pepper

f.        Sprinkle parmesan cheese

2. Yogurt

a.       Low sugar yogurt

b.      Add fresh fruit

c.       Add granola

3. Smoothies

a.       1 cup frozen berries

b.      1 cup orange juice

c.       1 cup baby spinach

*Green smoothies don’t need to be just for breakfast you can pour it in a thermos and keep it cold in an insulated bag. Just shake it up before lunch and then drink

4.      Juices

a.       1 peeled cucumber

b.      1 peeled orange

c.       ½ slice of ginger root

*Juicing, a great mid day pick-me-up to get some quickly absorbable nutrients

5.      Fresh Fruit

6.      Fresh Vegetables

7.      Cold Hummus dip with a side of pretzels, multigrain saltine crackers, celery, etc.

 

For those COLD days where you are on the go all day at sporting events, work, etc. here are some really quick and easy options:

 

 

1. Hot Cereal (oatmeal, cream of rice, or cream of wheat)

a.       ½ cup quick oats

b.      ½ cup coconut milk

c.       1 tablespoon brown sugar

d.      1 tablespoon raisins

2. Soup (chicken noodle, triple bean, tomato, broccoli, cream potato, black bean soup or even chili:

a.       1 pound lean ground beef

b.      1 cup chopped onions

c.       1 clove minced garlic

d.      1 14.5 ounce can chopped tomatoes or 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes

e.       2-3 cups red kidney beans (cooked earlier)

f.        1 8oz can tomato sauce

g.       1 tablespoon chili powder

h.      Sprinkle of brown sugar

i.         Drop of Worcestershire sauce

*After browning the ground beef place everything in a pot and let it simmer 20-30 minutes. Either store it in a container in the fridge and heat it up before placing in thermos and taking it on the go.

3. Hot dips such as a hot, fresh artichoke dip with a side of pita chips, pretzels, carrots, etc.

4. Rice dishes: chicken fried rice, Mexican rice, or steamed rice with vegetables. Even add steak, shrimp, or tuna to your rice to shake it up a bit. If you decide to make fried rice here is a recipe that is easy:

a.       2 cups cooked rice

b.      1 10oz bag frozen peas and corn

c.       2 eggs blended together

d.      Leftover chicken or ham

e.       Low sodium soy sauce

                                                   i.      Cook all ingredients together in a skillet until peas and corn are heated through and eggs are cooked. Top with a little soy sauce for flavor.

    5. Sandwich fillings: fill thermos up with warm Sloppy Joe mix, cold chicken salad, or egg salad mix. On the side pack a couple pieces of wheat bread, pita, or a bun. If you decide on chicken salad combine:
              a. 2 cups shredded chicken
              b. 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
              c. 2 tablespoons chopped celery
              d.  ½ cup chopped grapes
              e.  Salt and pepper