We create a lunch planning and packing toolkit called the Lunch Bunch, which helps readers live a healthier life and prepare for it on the weekends. To create these guides we enlist the guidance and expertise of Catherine Borkowski, RD, LDN, who also just happens to be a killer cook.

Have questions! Great! We have answers.

Q: What the heck is the Lunch Bunch?
A:
The Lunch Bunch is a lunch planning and packing toolkit that maximizes your time by focusing on recipes that can easily be mixed and matched. The recipes follow the same flavor profile so you know that the work you’re doing on Sunday to meal-prep will carry you through the week in unique and interesting ways.

Q: What comes with my Lunch Bunch?
A: All of this goodness:

  • A lunch plan for one person (keep that in mind if you’re shopping or cooking for two – be sure to double your recipes and ingredients)
  • A categorized shopping list that you can take to the grocery store
  • A list of items to prep, including tasty recipes that you’ll create at the start of your week
  • A day-by-day guide to help you mix and match your recipes, so you’ll enjoy a variety of fresh and delicious options that you won’t get bored of by the end of the week

Q: This all sounds great. What if I’m a vegetarian?
A:
Great question and thanks for saying that! Registered Dietitian Catherine Borkowski is a self-proclaimed flexitarian, which means that she believes meals should be mostly plant-powered. She puts the needs of our vegetarian friends first, but makes menus flexible for meat-eaters. So most menus will be vegetarian first with an option to add meat. I eat meat, so I generally add chicken or pork to my meals, but they’re delicious, filling and complete without the addition.

Q: How long is this lunch-prep stuff going to take me?
A:
Most weeks take less than two hours all-in. That’s with travel time to the grocery store and prep, which is basically no time at all. Really strapped for time? Try getting ingredients via Instacart. Almost everything can be found at Trader Joe’s.

Q: What if I want to plan all of my meals, but I don’t know where to start?
A:
That’s a great question and I like where you’re going with that. Here’s what I’d recommend: take a Look at the Lunch Bunch and double every single quantity on the grocery list and all recipes. That way, you’ll be able to follow the lunch schedule for lunch and skip around the menu for dinner or eat the next day’s lunch for dinner. Just follow your heart and let the menu be your guide.

Throw some extras in your cart for protein-packed smoothies to start your day like this green smoothie, this cherry smoothie (and cherries have been shown to help with recovery) or this extra-filling oatmeal smoothie.

Grab snacks to help keep you full. I always turn to almonds (always follow the serving size), apples and non-fat Greek yogurt.

aSweatLife