Many of you have indicated you're interested in seeing more of my lunch Scrounges... ask and you shall receive! As I've mentioned before, I pack my lunch almost every day for work. For those of you that are new to The Scrounge, I work a "9-5 job" in advertising at an independent Chicago agency. I love being in the ad industry because it allows me to use my creativity every day.
I make it a priority to stay healthy during the work day because it gives me the fuel I need to do my job as best I can. Most days I'm sitting at a desk, so it's important to eat foods that will provide energy and avoid foods that will make me feel tired or groggy. Taking care of my health is something I adopted a long time ago and has now become a habit in my life, therefore it's something I don't have to give much thought. I hope a healthy lifestyle is something you desire as well and if so, let me tell you, at first it will definitely be challenging to make it a habit, but it's so worth it! Plus, I'm here to help you! I want the Scrounge to be a source of inspiration and a place where you can ask questions and feel comfortable doing so.
A few other healthy habits that I practice on a daily basis while at work are: drinking lots of water to stay hydrated, eating a healthy breakfast and lunch, staying away from sugary foods or foods high in carbs (both will make you tired and less energized), I keep healthy snacks at my desk so I reach for those instead of the sweets around the office (I'm planning to do a post on the healthy snacks I keep at my desk soon!), no caffeine after 2pm, if I've been sitting for a long period of time I make myself get up and walk around, I do have a standing desk which I'm often bad about using because I like my 2 computer screens, but I definitely notice a difference in my energy level when I use it, exercise 2-3 times a week, and finally I try to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
This Kale Carrot Crunch Salad is a great example of using what I have at home to create a delicious and healthy Scrounge! My weekday lunches are always a combo of what I have at home and can throw into a tupperware container to take to work with me. You don't need to get too fancy here, literally I just throw everything in a bowl and I'm out the door ready to go. I hope you enjoy this Scrounge lunch!
Ingredients:
2-3 handfuls Kale
1-2 large Carrots or a handful of baby carrots
1-2 handfuls Cashews
1-2 handfuls Almonds
2-3 tbsp Cottage cheese
1 handful Sweet potato chip crumbs (Jackson's Honest are my fav! I love saving the crumbs at the bottom of chip bags and using on my salads for added crunch)
1-2 tbsp Hemp hearts
2-3 tbsp Olive oil
1-2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Cracked Pepper and sea salt to taste
Preparation:
Place kale into a large bowl or tupperware if taking it on the go
Slice carrots into little round circles
Add carrots, nuts, hemp hearts and sweet potato chips to bowl
Add scoops of cottage cheese to one side of bowl
Add cracked pepper and sea salt
Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar right before eating so that the salad doesn't become soggy
The Scrounge:
If you don't have these exact ingredients, Scrounge with the things you have at home! For example, if you don't 'have sweet potato chips – use whatever chips or crackers you do have. If you don't have almonds and cashews – use whatever nuts you do have. If you don't have cottage cheese or you're dairy free – use a hard boiled egg, do without or use a dairy free alternative. If you don't have hemp seeds – use flaxseed, chia seed, add a little protein of your choice or do without. You may create something even better!