Healthy and Easy Lunch Idea

In my attempts to continue to eat healthier and healthier, I am realizing it just takes time. It takes time to clear out the cupboards of the processed and unhealthy. I know to some degree, I will always have some processed items on hand – like cream of celery, so that I can make a favorite barbeque recipe of mine (maybe I will share that sometime too). I am hoping though, once I clear our cupboards of the “highly processed” I can get into a routine of eating more whole foods.

The problem I run into, is what to make. Whether I choose to eat whole foods or not, this is a problem I have had for centuries. Okay, maybe not centuries, but a LONG time. I have learned it comes down to meal planning. As much as I don’t want to take the time to do it on the weekends, I find we eat better and healthier when I do. Plus, I don’t buy unnecessary groceries that will just go to waste and rot in my refrigerator.

One day I had made Mexican haystacks for Open Rock (where we open up our youth building on Mondays and provide supper for the kids while they do their homework). We had just a few leftovers, so I decided to improvise and make a “healthier” lunch for the next day. As weird as it looks, I have to say, I ended up loving it! I find sometimes those are the best recipes – the ones you “mistakingly” make. Why do you think shepherds pie can be so good? Because it uses things you’d never think of! Well, that is what this is. I don’t have a name for it, but here’s the recipe!

Beef (or chicken) cut up

Diced onion

Black beans

Rice

Cheese

Cilantro

Mix together, heat until cheese is melted, and enjoy!

Again, an odd recipe, but it took all the leftovers I had and it made a delicious lunch! I had it for the next few days and I was sad when the ingredients were gone. So if you are looking for a simple idea to get rid of leftovers, give this recipe a try!