Forums: September 2010 Kickstart Forum Archive: Cold Lunch Options
Created on: 09/02/10 12:14 PM Views: 2690 Replies: 13
soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	Cold Lunch Options Posted Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 12:14 PM I take my lunch to work each day, and have no access to a microwave, so most dinner leftovers are out (except for soups in the winter, in a thermos). I've been bringing in salads made with brown rice, whatever dried bean I've cooked recently, halved cherry tomatoes from our garden, and chopped cucumber from our garden ... with fat free dressing. It's good but getting old. I want to stay away from most bread for now, so sandwiches are not an option. The tomatoes and cucumbers will be gone soon anyway ... anyone have suggestions for some good things I can bring for lunch? I also bring in carrot sticks and a fruit every day. I don't want to get bored and end up backsliding into a deli sandwich. Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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honeyphew Joined: 09/02/10 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 8	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 12:27 PM If you are looking to stay away from bread, try rice wraps or tortillas (sprouted wheat or corn). You can also take hummus and some cut up veggies instead of a salad. Lettuce wraps are another option which is really good with a 3-bean salad. I use either bibb or butter lettuce or romaine. There are thermoses that you can purchase with wide mouths where you can actually heat up your leftovers, wrap them in foil, and then place them in the thermos. It won't be piping hot but will be warm. Try a tofu fritata (spelling?). I use the soft tofu for this with some coconut, soy, or almond milk. I fix it when I have time. This is great at room temperature. Instead of lettuce salads, try beet salads, carrot salads, bean salads. If you limit yourself to the same things every day, day in and day out, you are setting yourself up to fail. Just a little planning ahead and surfing the internet for recipes on NutritionMD or fatfreevegan and many other websites that offer vegan choices from experienced vegan pros will help you stay focused. I also take my favorite recipes and tweak them to vegan. It takes a while sometimes and a lot of not so yummy tries, but in the end, I will figure it out. I am committed this time. Good health awaits!
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Wild4Stars Joined: 12/27/09 Location: Florida Posts: 832	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 12:40 PM ~Pasta salad with lots of veggies. ~Sandwiches made with whole wheat bread or bagels, fat free refried beans, lettuce, pickles, spicy mustard, tomatoes, sprouts - really whatever you want. ~The same above but packed into a pita, or rolled in a wrap ~Peanut butter & banana sandwich - one of my favorite 'grab and go' breakfasts. Vikki ~ Wild4Stars@gmail.com
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marcia Joined: 01/01/10 Location: Rockford, Il Posts: 101	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 3:31 PM Spinach salad - spinach, onion, mushrooms, and cut up orange slices. Squeesed a few slices over salad and afew sprinkles of sunflower seeds.
	Edited 09/02/10 3:32 PM Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
rachel Joined: 09/02/10 Posts: 9	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 4:08 PM I love fresh spring rolls. You can find the rice paper wraps at most asian grocery stores, and sometimes at bigger grocery stores. I wet them under the faucet and roll any number of things into them: thai carrot salad (Google it, but leave the fish sauce out), rice noodles, tofu strips, shredded napa cabbage, bean or pea sprouts, spinach leaves, cucumber, cilantro, peanuts, tomatoes, avocado, sliced zucchini, and shiitake mushrooms. The fresh ingredients look so pretty inside the translucent wrappers, so be prepared for questions from hungry onlookers! I brought ingredients to work this spring and let everyone make their own. It was a hit. I usually serve mine with a simple peanut sauce - just some natural peanut butter thinned with water, lime juice, and a bit of soy sauce. Add hot sriracha sauce if you like heat. I also make salads with the above ingredients, and the peanut sauce makes a good dressing.
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soon2BVeg Joined: 08/24/10 Posts: 225	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Friday, September 3, 2010 at 10:27 AM I've often seen the spring rolls in the many "healthy" magazines I get, but have been nervous to try them. I have to get over that fear and do it because they really do look yummy. I also have to get over my fear of carbs. I've never been an Atkins-er, but have done South Beach as well as programs such as Weight Watchers (the old exchange program where starches were limited to 3 measured servings a day), and I have "too many carbs are bad bad bad" playing in my head. I know better because I lost 50 pounds 13 years ago following Susan Powter's "Stop the Insanity," and kept most of it off all these years ... so I know it works to reduce fat etc. Don't make a New Year's Resolution...make a Decision!
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rachel Joined: 09/02/10 Posts: 9	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Friday, September 3, 2010 at 12:19 PM soon2BVeg wrote: I also have to get over my fear of carbs. I've never been an Atkins-er, but have done South Beach as well as programs such as Weight Watchers (the old exchange program where starches were limited to 3 measured servings a day), and I have "too many carbs are bad bad bad" playing in my head. I've done all three, and have come to the conclusion that what matters are better choices when it comes to grains. Our family has switched over to mostly whole grains, which are more filling and satisfying. I find I eat smaller servings. We like quinoa, polenta, brown rice, and sprouted grain toast (Ezekiel is great.) Lundberg makes a great brown and wild rice blend in a bag. I started buying whole-grain couscous in bulk and keeping some cooked up in the fridge to round out a meal. We're not big fans of whole-wheat pasta though, and we eat at lot of Indian food so we still like basmati rice. Though I've tried brown basmati, and it's not bad!
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zeteticgamin Joined: 09/02/10 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 7	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Friday, September 3, 2010 at 1:34 PM There are billions of salad options - consider romaine, black beans, corn, avocado & salsa, or spring greens, steamed baby beets, pepitas, and tofu ricotta or other "cheesy" topping. Also google raw foods nut pates - these are a great option with veggies & crackers. www
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dreaminitvegan Joined: 09/03/10 Posts: 8	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Friday, September 3, 2010 at 1:55 PM Veggie "sushi" rolls are great to eat. There are so many fillings to use for these. Also spring rolls that were mentioned. Try different salad toppings too. You can make a faux tuna salad using chickpeas(seriously this is one of my husbands favorites)and use that on your salad or tofu "egg" salad. Try different grains such a quinoa salad or the like. Wraps are great as well, just load up on the veggies and you can use a hummus spread. There are so many options. www
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mollyhorn Joined: 03/03/10 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 582	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Friday, September 3, 2010 at 3:41 PM Soon2Be, I'm also a former Low-Carb-Diet-er, so I can totally relate to the carb-fear. I have that same record playing in my head. One thing I'm learning, though, is that it's pretty much impossible to be vegan and low-carb. Vegan = high carb. But you can be high-carb and healthy! As others said, choose whole grains, and check the ingredients. I stay away from anything that has added sugar (always with breads, breakfast cereals, etc.). Other good choices are cooked root vegetables like sweet potatoes, turnips, rutabagas and beets, as well as jicama and carrots for raw snacks. For some reason, high-carb veggies don't trigger that alarm response in my head the same way grain products do. (Still, it's taken me almost 2 years of being off the low-carb diet to finally purchase a box of pasta. Whole grain, of course. ) I've been vegan since the March Kickstart, and currently I get 65-70% of my diet from carbs, 15-20% fat, and the remainder protein. I follow the Joel Fuhrman Eat-To-Live program loosely (and though I eat more grains and less fruit than he suggests, I think it's a great program). While you're transitioning, just remember to take it easy on yourself. You're making the best decision for your health, your happiness, the environment, and for the animals, so don't beat yourself up if you have one slip – just immediately get back on track. I keep reminding myself that carbs are safe and healthy. They're what my body, and especially my brain, needs for fuel. Your body was designed to run on carbs, just like a car was designed to run on gasoline – you have to give it the proper fuel – healthy, whole grains in measured portions, LOTS of vegetables, some fruits, and legumes. You'll be satisfied, fueled up, and able to operate at your optimum level. Molly Horn
	Edited 09/03/10 3:41 PM Quote | Send PM | Link | Top | Bottom
mollyhorn Joined: 03/03/10 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 582	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 12:38 AM One thing I neglected to mention earlier – more grains can equal weight gain. So, be judicious in your consumption of grains, even whole ones. I eat more of them because I'm currently underweight, and trying to gain. But many of the Kickstarters are trying to lose, and therefore might want to limit their grain intake. That's my two cents. Molly Horn
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zeteticgamin Joined: 09/02/10 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 7	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 12:48 AM Oh - just remembered something. If you do springrolls (and you should!) - use 2 wrappers at a time. SO MUCH EASIER to roll without tearing. Also, if you store them (i.e. take them for lunch, or stick 'em in the fridge overnight), stick a damp paper towel in between them so they don't stick www
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redtopsissy Joined: 08/26/10 Location: Fort White, Florida Posts: 47	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 8:10 AM Wow, thanks for the rice paper info. I'll try that...Elizabeth Elizabeth email
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craftycat70 Joined: 01/08/10 Location: Southern California Posts: 139	RE: Cold Lunch Options Posted Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 9:53 AM I have wheat/gluten issues. Here is one of my favorites: Can of garbanzos beans drained Tablespoon or so of Veganaise chopped celery chopped onion dash of relish Mash beans with fork, stir in rest of the ingredients. Eat with Rice Cakes, or rice crackers Or fill hollowed out tomato with mixture and eat like salad..........or with a lettuce wrap Craftycat - Southern, CA ~Isaiah 43: 18 & 19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"
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