I'm not a big believer in making New Year's resolutions, but I am a huge fan of food — which is why, this year, I'm promising myself that I'll test out a few easy, healthy lunch ideas that will make me actually look forward to my afternoon meal. After all, lunch gets a pretty bad rap. Whether you are stuck at your desk munching on a wilted salad you brought from home, grabbing a sad granola bar to nibble on the go, or watching your money fly away into the Seamless ethosphere as you re-order the same burrito you get at least three times a week, lunch isn't exactly something we tend to get excited about anymore. Want to change that in 2016? Yeah, me too.
When I was in middle school, lunchtime was my favorite. I got to sit in the cafeteria, gab with my 15 closest friends, and eat as many cosmic brownies and mozzarella sticks as I could in the 30 minutes allotted for lunch before the afternoon bell rang. Now, as a grown-ass adult with a job and responsibilities, lunch is usually more of an afterthought (and a half-assed afterthought, at that). Here are 12 easy lunch ideas that even the laziest among us (ahem, me) can manage to muster up. Eat food you actually like this year. You won't regret it.
1. Easy Burrito Bowls
For when the Chipotle craving strikes, but you can't leave your desk. Make these seriously easy burrito bowls by Damn Delicious the night before, and never pay extra for guac ever again. You can load these babies up with as much avocado as you want.
2. Greek Avocado Sandwich
Speaking of avocado, take your regular old veggie sandwich up a notch by smothering your bread with the stuff. Cookie and Kate also adds pesto, red bell pepper, olives, and cucumber to turn her avocado sandwich into a Greek avocado sandwich. The result? Perfection.
3. Asparagus Soba Noodle Soup
There's something strangely satisfying about slurping up a bowl of noodles at your desk. This soba soup by The Kitchn comes with all kinds of yummy add-ons — namely, miso-roasted asparagus and sesame seeds. Make a big batch of this over the weekend, and be set for lunch all week long.
4. Hummus Veggie Wrap
Dipping veggies in hummus is one of my favorite snacks — so it follows that a tortilla smeared with hummus and then stuffed with veggies makes for one of my favorite lunches. Customize this recipe by Foodie Crush to include whatever ingredients you want.
5. Barbecue Chicken Salad
For when you need an extra kick to get you through the afternoon, this barbecue chicken salad by Damn Delicious is your savior. Throw it together in 10 minutes, stay full all day long.
6. Avocado And Marinated Kale Salad Sandwich
Kale salads are delicious, but bread makes everything better. This recipe by Five And Spice packs everything you want into one sandwich.
7. Mason Jar Salad
You've had this pinned for months — make it your 2016 resolution to make this gorgeous jar salad by The Kitchn a regular in your lunchtime rotation this year.
8. Chickpea And Avocado Salad Sandwich
Smash up chickpeas. Smash up avocado. Combine it together. Serve with bread. It doesn't get easier than this sandwich by Love and Lemons.
9. Southwest Quinoa Bowl
Whaddya know, another lunch starring avocado. Black beans, jalapenos, and bell peppers finish off this zesty quinoa bowl by Ari's Menu.
10. Hummus and Veggie Sandwich
It doesn't get easier than a good old-fashioned sandwich. Green hummus, red onion, and carrots give this recipe by Cookie and Kate a grown-up feel.
11. Tortilla Pizzas
Because sometimes, you just really freaking want some pizza. Swap out classic crust for a tortilla like Cookie and Kate, and enjoy this personal-sized pie all to yourself.
12. Easy Pita Sandwiches
You can stuff pretty much anything into a pita and call it a sandwich. Love and Lemons serves up four delicious veggie-filled options.
For more foodie inspiration, check out Bustle on YouTube.
Images: Damn Delicious; Cookie and Kate; The Kitchn; Foodie Crush; Damn Delicious; Five And Spice; The Kitchn; Love and Lemons; Ari's Menu; Cookie and Kate; Cookie and Kate; Love and Lemons
