meatless monday #3 - breakfast & lunch

well, well, well....here we are, another week of meatless monday down, another one manifesting itself in less than 2 days!  i'm sorry i didn't get my act together and get this posted sooner, but it's been a busy week with todd rundgren, goth night, katja's baby, and pavement, and all.  as i did last week, i won't bother listing any options for breakfast.  i imagine that everyone is busy and isn't exactly taking the time to make a breakfast of eggy-weggs and steaky-wakes, and that you all have your own easy meatless breakfast choices.  toaster strudel anyone?  but, i'm making another change this week.  i know most people work, or are really busy, and don't necessarily have time to make a lunch from scratch.  i know i don't always, have time, even when i'm not working.  so, i just figured i would list a bunch of lunch options that are vegetarian friendly, are yummy, and are quick and easy if you need to figure out lunch fast!  so here goes....

- the classic pb & j, or pb & h, (that's peanut butter & honey)  seriously, you can't really go wrong with this, doesn't everybody love peanut butter?  sometimes i still bring this for lunch.  i'll pack some cut vegetables and some fruit and i'm good to go!  for anyone who shops at trader joe's, the cruncy valencia peanut butter with flaxseeds is the best peanut butter on the planet.

- premade soups.  i don't own a microwave, and i don't like using microwaves, but on occasion, there are just those days where soup sounds so good.  at least at trader joe's, we have some yummy options, like a minestrone, or a hearty ancient grain and lentil, but for those of you shopping elsewhere, amy's organics and health valley put out some pretty good ones too.  amy's organic even makes a tofu "chicken" noodle soup, that, i swear, kids wouldn't even know it's not regular chicken. 

- salad or salad bar.  again, trader joe's has some great prepared salads that are veg-friendly.  sometimes if i'm in a bind, i'll totally get that.  and i must say, if anyone lives near the whole foods in plymouth meeting, the salad bar there is great.  i really like it.  they always have a great selection of veg-friendly salads to choose from, and at $7.99 a lb., it's really not that bad.  they also have a great selection of vegan/macrobiotic prepared meals in a little refrigerated endcap across from the milk, i think?  the tofu dill salad is awesome, as are the spinach noodles or the buckwheat soba salad.  

- falafel.  so, my friend adelle and i want to do falafel thursdays now, just for lunch.  i know you can get some good falafel downtown, but if not, trader joe's makes a mid-east feast that's pretty tasty.  i've even seen falafel republic brand falafel at giant, which is strange to me, but nice!  i have never tried that brand before, but it does look yummy.

- amy's organic frozen entrées.  again, i don't really like to use the microwave, but if i'm really hungry, and something is worth it, i will.  the amy's entrèes are usually pretty worth it.  the tofu rancheros is soooo good, as is the muttar tofu, and i even like the burritos.  but, this brand has a great selection of vegetarian entrèes for whatever sort of flavor you're into, be it italian, mexican, indian, or even american.  although, i've never had the "meatloaf," so i don't know if that one's good or not.

- chipotle.  i don't eat out a lot, and if i do, i usually don't do chain restaurants, but i must say, i still enjoy chipotle from time to time.  it's so easy to get a vegetarian, or even vegan meal if you want.  the black beans are the only beans that are vegetarian friendly, so don't fall for the ol' pinto bean trick.  i like the fact that i custom-make my meal, and that i can even get all the fixin's without the actual tortilla.  i can't finish a whole burrito, and if i did, it would make the rest of my afternoon a very long and tired one, so the burrito bowl is the perfect option.

- pizza.  don't forget the pizza!  it's so easy to get awesome pizza with no meat!  

- trader joe's.  since i work there, it's easy for me to choose this option if i don't have time to bring my own lunch.  i'll just list some of my favorites

    *  veggie hummus wrap - so good with a sprinkling of hot sauce!

    *  ginger peanut noodles - one of my regulars.  i love them!  

    *  southwest salad or italian country salad 

    *  frozen mac & cheese - ok, so this used to be for special occasions only, b/c i can't handle that much 

       cheese, and now that i'm vegan, i won't do it anymore, but seriously, best mac & cheese ever.  once

       you have it, you won't want anything else.

    *  eggplant parm - it's in the pre-made refrigerated meals section, and it's so good!

    *  frozen indian meals - curried lentils, palak paneer, or channa masala.  you can't go wrong

    *  frozen vegetable burritos or chile relleno 

    *  hummus & pita & vegetables - so many hummus's to choose from, so little time....

    *  mid-east feast - a nice variety of falafel, hummus, pita, tabbouleh, and tahini.  if i'm in a rush, tho, i tend 

       not to like having to assemble my food

    *  balela - i love this chickpea salad.  sometimes i'll buy it with the tabbouleh and mix the 2 together.

i guess that's about it?  i mean, i know there are a bunch more options, but i think i've given plenty to make lunch a fairly enjoyable meatless meal.  now i'm hungry.  time to go snack on some horseradish hummus and some pumpernickel pretzel sticks!  

peace, love, & yum,

lisa