Healthy Lunch Box Inspiration + Cookbook Giveaway

No boring brown bag lunches here. Lunch might just become your favorite meal of the day! 

Struggling with new ideas for packed lunches?

I know I do from time to time. It’s easy to get stuck in food ruts. But today we’re breaking out of the lunch box boredom and giving the mid-day meal new life!

Packing your lunch is a great way to save money and with some proper planning, it’s an opportunity to enjoy a nourishing meal. We’re all aware that eating out is often equated to higher calorie intake and increased sodium consumption. So do your body a favor and take the small amount of extra time to prepare foods at home.

One of the easiest ways to ensure you have a lunch to pack from the fridge is by preparing extra servings of dinner. Cook once, eat twice! Here’s a tip from fellow RD, Amy Gorin:

Citrus Mint Quinoa Salad with Cherries & Arugula from Dishing Out Health

Lunchbox Chickpea Salad from Food, Pleasure & Health

Tomato and Pesto Bruschetta with Burrata from Robins Bite

Fresh Spring Rolls from Emily Kyle Nutrition

Collard Green Wraps with Tofu and Thai Peanut Sauce from The Foodie Dietitian

Caprese Lentil Salad from Living Well Kitchen

Make Ahead Chop-Chop Salad from Hungry Hobby

Veggie & Bean Quinoa Bites from Nutritioulicious

Cara Cara Orange and Arugula Salad from Dietitian Debbie Dishes

Balsamic Tuna Sorghum Salad from Nutrition Starring You

Pizza Panzanella Salad from The Nutritionist Reviews

Mango Quinoa Salad from The Grateful Grazer

Have you tried packing a salad in a mason jar? It’s the perfect reusable container for salads! And when you walk into work with it, everyone will be able to see the gorgeous layered salad and will have immediate lunch-envy.

How to  Make a Mason Jar Salad from Sharon Palmer, The Plant-Powered Dietitian

Southwestern Chicken Fajita Mason Jar Salad from MJ and Hungryman

And don’t forget something sweet!

No Added Sugar Chocolate Pudding from Shaw’s Simple Swaps

Ooey Gooey Peanut Butter Bars from Eat Chic Chicago

I love this post from Hungry Hobby that shares 5 Simple Ways to Pack a Healthy Lunch, which also includes this fun graphic for a Healthy Adult “Lunchable”! Did you eat Lunchables as a kid? I totally did but wouldn’t even dream of buying them today! You can save a lot of money and do your body a HUGE favor by making something similar at home.

Now, onto the giveaway! Thanks to Katie at Mom’s Kitchen Handbook for offering her “Best Lunch Box Ever” cookbook as a giveaway today. Katie’s book offers ideas and recipes for packed lunches that both kids and adults can enjoy! If you want to try out some of Katie’s lunch recipes, here’s a couple from her blog: Mediterranean Turkey Pinwheels and Ham and Cheesy Greens Flatbread Panini.

Winner will be announced on March 18th….stay tuned!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to lunch!