So after you’ve come back from a grocery haul and most likely muscled all three of your bags into the house in one trip (is there any other way?), you need to think about how you’ll get the most out of your food throughout the week.
I’ve compiled some meal ideas that I frequently make during the week (using what I listed in my grocery list) that are easy to bring to campus so you can stay nourished without spending extra money at an on-campus cafe.
Breakfast:
- Quinoa porridge
- Place 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa + 1/3 can of light coconut milk in a sauce pan and simmer until the quinoa soaks up some of the liquid. Sweeten to taste (coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.), and add cinnamon. Transfer to a bowl and fix with your favorite toppings (I like cranberries, shredded coconut, and slivered almonds).
- Smoothie
- 1 cup of greens + liquid (I either do cold water or coconut water) blended until smooth. Then add 1-3 bananas and any other fruit that you enjoy. Add ice if desired and blend. I like my smoothies to be massive and hydrating so I fill it up with cold water once i’ve added all of my solid ingredients. I usually stir in chia seeds after I pour it into my jar because I prefer them whole.
- Oatmeal
- Fairly standard–you know the drill.
- Microwaved-And-Mashed-Potatoes-And-Beans (catchy, huh?)
- Chop up 1 red potato into medium sized chunks and place in a microwave safe bowl. Cover with a damn paper towel for 2-3 minutes or until soft. Add in 1/3 can of rinsed garbanzo beans and season with sea salt, cumin/paprika, and nutritional yeast. Sounds lame but it’s really filling and has a good amount of fiber and protein to start your day off.
- Fruit!
- If you’re feeling out of touch with your inner Martha Stewart, just chop up a bunch of fruit and eat until you’re full and satisfied. Many fruits are super hydrating so they’re a great thing to start your day with. Try making a big plate of fruit or simply eating half of a watermelon or cantaloupe with a spoon.
Lunch:
- Microwaved-And-Mashed-Potatoes-And-Beans
- Assuming you didn’t have this for breakfast, you could enjoy it for lunch instead!
- Tomato soup
- I heat up my tomato soup on the stove and meanwhile dice up some red potatoes and microwave them for 1-2 minutes covered by a damp towel. Then I dice up 1/4 an avocado and stir both of them into my tomato soup. I add the entire concoction to a thermos or insulated jar and toss it in my backpack for a hot, satisfying lunch on campus.
- Beans and rice
- Standard, filling, whole food meal.
- Soak beans in water before cooking to minimize digestive issues.
- Sautéed veggies
- cauliflower, purple beets, brussel sprouts, yellow onion, potatoes, and zucchini sautéed and seasoned with cayenne pepper, sea salt, and LOTS of nutritional yeast.
Dinner:
- Mac & cheese
- Vegan chili
- Bean burrito
- Giant salad
I welcome any easy meal ideas that you have in the comments below. Cheers!
Laziebaby 