Recipe option that's loaded with protein and meal prep opportunity

Lunchtime can be an agent of chaos. Especially when you’re swamped with work, family duties, and trying to think about the next dinner...let alone what you'll have for THIS meal.

Some solutions include: skip it entirely, grab something random (or many random things), or maybe you just give up and eat ANYTHING you can find, standing up and multitasking.

Then, depending on how successful THAT was, you're probably starving by 3 and goinf on snacking spree all the way to dinner.

But the right lunch can and should do more than fill your stomach enough to curb the growling. It can (and should) set the tone for your whole afternoon.

So today I'd like to offer up this recipe option that's loaded with protein (to fill you up) and also makes a great meal-prep opportunity (to save you time), too.

Mediterranean Chickpea Power Bowl(makes 3 servings)

●     1 can (15 oz / 400 g) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

●     1 cup (185 g) cooked quinoa or brown rice

●     1 cup (150 g) cucumber, diced

●     1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved

●     ½ cup (75 g) bell pepper, chopped

●     ¼ cup (30 g) red onion, finely diced

●     2 tbsp olive oil

●     2 tbsp lemon juice

●     1 tsp dried oregano

●     Salt & pepper to taste

●     Optional: 2 tbsp feta cheese or a sprinkle of fresh parsley

Combine chickpeas, quinoa, and chopped veggies in a large bowl.

Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small dish.

Toss everything together and top with feta or parsley if desired.

Nutrition (per serving, with feta):Calories: ~380 | Protein: 14 g | Carbohydrates: 54 g | Fiber: 11 g | Fat: 12 g

Make-ahead meal prep tip: get all of the ingredients ready on Sunday, store in airtight containers, and you’ll have grab-and-go lunches ready for several days!

If you try it, email or tag me to let me know how you loved it!