Five Fresh + Quick Lunch Ideas for Busy Designers

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To take one more task off your plate, we’ve prepared five mouth-watering yet super simple recipes you’ll want on your plate at lunchtime. These meals are nutritious, delicious, and easy to whip up—perfect for when you’re tempted to go for fast food on a busy day. Quick to make and absolutely worth it, these recipes will elevate your midday break!

1. Shrimp Avocado Salad

You'll need: shrimp, avocados, tomatoes, green onion, cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper. 

Quickly sauté shrimp in a pan until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. In a bowl, mix sliced avocados, tomatoes, chopped green onion, and cucumber. Add the shrimp and toss with a lemon vinaigrette made from lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Serve chilled for a refreshing, light lunch.

2. Spicy Peanut Noodles

You'll need: soba noodles, peanuts, carrots, bell peppers, green onion, peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, lime juice, garlic, sesame oil.

Cook the soba noodles according to package instructions. While the noodles cook, thinly slice the carrots and bell peppers. Drain the noodles and toss them with the veggies, chopped peanuts, and a spicy peanut sauce made from peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, lime juice, minced garlic, and a splash of sesame oil.

3. Halloumi Greek Salad

You'll need: halloumi cheese, shredded carrots, corn, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, pita chips, olives, red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, pepper.

Grill the halloumi cheese slices in a hot pan until golden. In a large bowl, combine shredded carrots, corn, diced cucumber, tomato, lettuce, pita chips, olives, and thinly sliced red onion. Top with grilled halloumi and drizzle with a tangy Greek dressing made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper for a satisfying Mediterranean twist.

4. Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

You'll need: baguette or ciabatta bread, eggplant, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, fresh basil leaves, salt, pepper.

Sauté slices of eggplant with minced garlic in olive oil until tender and slightly caramelized. Slice a fresh baguette or ciabatta and layer the eggplant on the bread, spoon over marinara sauce, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, and add fresh basil leaves. Toast in a pan or oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then enjoy this warm, comforting sandwich.

5. Chicken Pepper Couscous

You'll need: chicken breast, bell pepper mix (red and yellow), zucchini, couscous, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper, fresh parsley.

Cook diced chicken breast and a mix of bell peppers (red, yellow, green) and zucchini in olive oil with minced garlic until the chicken is browned and vegetables are soft. Add cooked couscous and a blend of spices—cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir well, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm for a quick and filling meal.

Hopefully you’ve found inspiration for an upcoming meal! Remember, these recipes are totally flexible—feel free to swap out ingredients or skip what you don’t have on hand. The goal is to whip up another tasty power meal without turning lunchtime into a full-scale kitchen operation. Get creative with what’s in your fridge and enjoy a fresh, satisfying lunch without the fuss!

xx, Danae

Easy, Healthy Meal Ideas for Busy Creatives

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Why does it feel like a Herculean task to find meal options that strike that perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication, surpassing the humble realms of the beloved PB&J sandwich (and don't get me wrong—I love a good PB&J once in a while)? If you’re a busy creative looking for recipes that are accessible and that you’ll actually be excited to eat, I'm here to share 7 ideas to bookmark. Each one promises:

  • A prep time of 30 minutes or less, because your muse shouldn't have to wait

  • A nutritious, vegetarian meal that doesn't skimp on flavor or heartiness

  • The versatility to use up those random veggies in your fridge, ensuring nothing goes to waste

Let’s get into them!

Spinach and Feta Pastry

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes

  • Ingredients: Puff pastry, 1 bag of fresh spinach, 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese, 1 egg (plus one for egg wash), pinch of nutmeg, salt, pepper.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Sauté spinach until wilted, let cool, then mix with feta, one egg, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

  2. Cut puff pastry into squares, add spinach mixture, fold into triangles, seal, brush with egg wash, and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Rice Bowl

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes

  • Ingredients: 1 sweet potato, olive oil, salt, pepper, 1 cup brown rice, 1 can black beans, 1 avocado, Greek yogurt, lime, cilantro, diced tomatoes (optional), diced onions (optional).

  1. Microwave pierced sweet potato for 5-8 minutes and cut into cubes when cooled. Cook rice according to package instructions. Warm beans with cumin and chili powder.

  2. Assemble with rice, sweet potato, beans, avocado, yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, and optional tomatoes and onions.

Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes

  • Ingredients: 1 eggplant, salt, flour, 2 eggs, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, marinara sauce, slices of mozzarella cheese.

  1. Salt eggplant slices, rinse, dip in flour, eggs, then breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan. Fry until golden.

  2. Layer with marinara sauce and mozzarella, bake at 375°F until bubbly, about 10-15 minutes.

Falafel Wrap

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes (using pre-made falafel)

  • Ingredients: Whole-grain wraps, falafel, tahini sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, optional additional vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, onions).

  1. Warm wraps, spread tahini, add lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, falafel, and any other veggies.

  2. Drizzle with tahini, wrap, and serve.

Mediterranean Couscous Bowl

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes

  • Ingredients: Couscous, pine nuts, roasted red peppers, black or Kalamata olives, fresh basil, cheese (feta or mozzarella), olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper.

  1. Prepare couscous, let cool. Mix with toasted pine nuts, chopped roasted red peppers, olives, torn basil, and cheese cubes.

  2. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Roasted Veg Pasta Salad

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes

  • Ingredients: Whole-wheat pasta, bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, arugula, pesto sauce, olive oil, salt, pepper.

  1. Roast chopped vegetables at 425°F until tender. Cook and cool pasta.

  2. Toss pasta with vegetables, arugula, and pesto. Season as needed.

Sushi Wrap

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes

  • Ingredients: Sushi rice, nori sheets, avocado, cucumber, carrot, optional smoked salmon or cooked shrimp, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce.

  1. Prepare sushi rice. Spread over a nori sheet on a bamboo mat, leaving a border. Add avocado, cucumber, carrot, and optional seafood. Drizzle sweet chili sauce as desired.

  2. Roll tightly, cut into larger pieces or enjoy as a sushi burrito. Serve with soy sauce.

 
 

I hope you’re eyeing up several or all of these as some of your next culinary ventures that will brighten up your busy days!

xx, Danae

The Best On-The-Go Lunch Ideas for Busy Professionals

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As a busy professional, you're always on the move, whether it's for client meetings, shopping for materials, or on a project site. With so much to do, it can be challenging to find time for a proper lunch break. That's why it's essential to have quick, convenient, and healthy lunch options that you can take with you.

First of all, to be well-equipped to make great on-the-go lunches, we recommend getting yourself a variety of nice leak-proof lunch boxes with compartments, such as bento boxes, reusable silverware, and an insulated lunch bag that’s easy to carry. You may also look into reusable food wraps as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap. And, of course, you need a collection of simple and delicious meal plans that you can always turn to, so I bring you 9 ideas to get you started! 

Protein Wrap

A wrap is a quick and easy lunch option that you can customize with your favorite ingredients. Start with a whole wheat wrap, add some protein such as grilled shrimp or chickpeas, and your favorite fillings like lettuce, red onion, cucumber, tomato, avocado, cheese, and a drizzle of your favorite sauce. Roll it up, wrap it up, and you're good to go!

Pasta Salad

Cook some whole grain pasta, add your favorite veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and bell peppers, chicken or a diced cheese like feta, and a tangy dressing. This is a filling lunch that can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for a few days.

Quinoa Bowl

Cook some quinoa, add some veggies like roasted sweet potato, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes, and a tasty dressing. This is a high-protein, gluten-free option that will keep you full all afternoon.

Turkey and Avocado Sandwich

Spread some mayo or pesto on whole grain bread, add sliced turkey, avocado, lettuce, and tomato. This sandwich provides healthy fats, protein, and fiber.

Falafel Pita Pocket

Spread some hummus on a whole grain pita, add falafel, sliced veggies like carrot, cucumber, and bell pepper, and you have a delicious and easy lunch.

Tuna Salad

Mix canned tuna with some mayo, diced celery, and pickles. Serve it on whole grain bread or crackers, or in a lettuce wrap.

Tofu and Veggie Stir-Fry

Sauté veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers with some tofu in a sauce of your choice. Serve over brown rice for a complete meal.

Fruit Salad

Cut up a variety of fresh fruit, such as apples, bananas, grapes, and berries, into bite-sized pieces and mix together in a container. This provides a healthy and refreshing dessert option.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares

Mix 1 cup of creamy peanut butter with 1/2 cup of honey and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, then stir in 1 1/2 cups of quick-cooking oats. Press the mixture into a lined 8x8-inch square dish, pour melted semi-sweet chocolate chips on top, and refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into squares. 

With these delicious and nutritious meal ideas, you'll never have to sacrifice taste for convenience. Whether you're in a rush, at a client meeting, or just need a quick bite, these lunch options will keep you fueled and satisfied, no matter where you are. Enjoy!

xx, Danae