Lightweight Eats

Yesterday morning, I left our apartment at 6am with a bicycle, a granola bar and two pieces of fruit. Four and a half hours and 21 miles later, I came home starving.

I often spend the 25 minute bike ride home pondering all of the delicious food options waiting for me. I plan out all of the awesome topping I'm going to put on a sandwich, or the vegetables I plan to saute and eat over rice or quinoa.

Then, I get home, open the pantry and eat a faceful of chocolate.

Aside from never buying chocolate, which obviously isn't an option and would really just cause me to hit the peanut butter jar instead, I've found that making my lunch ahead of time solves most of the problem.

If I've taken the time to assemble a gorgeous creation, the guilt of letting it go to waste is enough to pull my hand away from the chocolate (at least for 20 minutes or so).

Soups and salads are definitely some of the best options for night-before-preparation. I leave my salads undressed until just before serving, but the dressing can be made ahead and put in a little jar or tupperware.

Some other prep-ahead suggestions:
- leftovers: bonus points if you put it in a ready-to-microwave bowl
- can of beans over a leftover grain: bonus points for adding a condiment and/or a veggie
- peanut butter and jelly sandwich: I often pack this and bring it with me
- nachos: assemble the chips/cheese in an oven safe dish the night before, and pop that sucker under the broiled right away when you get home. Top with salsa and microwaved black/pinto beans.
- tortilla pizzas: spread tomato paste on a tortilla, or a piece of bread, top with cheese; either microwave or broil when you're ready to eat

What do you do for lunches??