5 Box Lunch Ideas For Back To School

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It’s time for back to school and you might be wondering what to pack for lunch, or maybe what to pack your kids for lunch! Not to worry, we’re here to help.

Here’s 5 ideas for box lunches that everyone can enjoy! Not to mention that they’re easy to make and travel well.

Our 5 Box Lunch Ideas:

  1. Mediterranean Gnocchi – The best part about this dish is that it reheats well and can be easily packed into a container, making a complete meal that will fill you up. Try switching up sauces and adding protein for an endless variety of lunch options that everyone will enjoy.
  2. Paleo Smoked Salmon & Bacon Salad– This salad is hearty and delicious. The best part though…it doesn’t have to be re-heated! For a protein and veggie packed lunch, this is your go-to! Again it can easily be packed in a container for on-the-go convenience.
  3. Simple Tuna Wrap– These wraps are delicious and have all the makings for a full rounded meal. Mix your tuna up before hand and bring your wraps on the side, you’ll be all ready to go when it’s meal time.
  4. Paleo Lamb Gyro– While we recommend re-heating this you could absolutely eat it cold as well, we promise it’s just as delicious. Paleo Lamb Gyros are the way to go if you’re looking for a hearty and filling wrap to get you through the day. An added benefit…no utensils needed.
  5. Quick & Fantastic Paleo Cookies– Nothing compliments the perfect lunch like a yummy, delicious cookie. Download a copy of our Quick & Fantastic Paleo Cookies cookbook to find the perfect cookie for you!

You’ve got your school supplies and ready-to-learn attitude! Now you’ve got your go-to Paleo lunch box recipes.

Happy Cooking,

Melissa Van Dover

@melissavandover | melissavandover.com

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Paleo Breakfast Burrito

Paleo Breakfast Burrito
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Give up burritos? Heck no!

There’s nothing quite like a big bite into a warm Breakfast Burrito, especially on a crisp morning, or on a camping trip.

It’s my all-time favorite campsite staple, and before I head to the beautiful mountains of Colorado, I always make a few extra burritos to enjoy before I leave…and also on my return!

Here’s my super-simple, totally-swear-by-it, Paleo Breakfast Burrito Recipe:

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons coconut oil
1/4 lb grass-fed, ground breakfast sausage
2 eggs
1 Coconut Wrap (we love Julian Bakery’s Paleo Wraps; you can read more about them on our Paleo Products page)
Salt and Pepper to taste

RECIPE

Melt 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and then add the sausage.

Meanwhile, in another small saucepan, melt the other teaspoon of coconut oil over medium heat, and then crack the eggs into the pan and stir into a scramble.

When the sausage is lightly brown and the scrambled eggs are cooked, scoop the sausage and egg into the Coconut Wrap.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste.

Fold the wrap like a traditional burrito, then wrap it in tin foil.

Next, choose your heating method:

  1. Place your wrapped burrito in a cast-iron pan on medium heat for 2 minutes, flip over and heat for about another 2 minutes, or until hot.
  2. Place your wrapped burrito on a tray in the oven, preheated to 350 degrees, for about 6 minutes, or until hot.
  3. Place your wrapped burrito on a grill over hot coals, or a campfire, and heat for 4 minutes, flip over and heat for about another 4 minutes, or until hot.

Unwrap the top of the tin foil to expose the first half of your delicious home-made Breakfast Burrito and indulge!

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do,

Camilla Carboni

@camillacarboni | camillacarboni.com

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Frozen Mochachino

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Who doesn’t love a tasty Mochachino to sip on happily during the summer months?

The thing is, most coffee shops make their frozen coffee drinks with genetically modified cow milk, whipped cream, cane sugar and artificial syrup. It’s hard to justify that when there’s a home-made Frozen Mochachino solution right here!

This recipe is not only dairy and refined sugar-free, it’s packed with fiber and antioxidants.

There goes the guilt…now you can really enjoy your summer! 😉

INGREDIENTS

Ice (about 6 cubes)
1 cup coconut milk
2 teaspoons instant coffee (or a shot of espresso and a little less coconut milk)
1 teaspoon cacao powder
1 teaspoon honey or raw agave nectar

RECIPE

In a blender or food processor, pulse the ice until finely crushed.
Add the coconut milk, coffee, cacao powder and honey/agave and pulse for about a minute, or until very well blended.
Pour into a glass and enjoy while cold.

It’s so simple and yet every bit as good as a coffee shop Frozen Mochachino!

Enjoy,

Camilla Carboni

@camillacarboni | camillacarboni.com

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Cucumber Lox Bites

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When preparing snacks for he day I try to keep everything as simple as possible whether it be a piece of fruit or beef jerky. Keeping everything simple is the one sure way I know to stay on track with my health goals. When things are simple you are more likely to stick with them.

That being said, I do get board with my normal selections occasionally and it makes me want to try something outside my norm. Lox bites are a great way to spice things up without making things complicated. They are great as a snack or even an appetizer for a party.

INGREDIENTS

1 – 2 ounces lox
1/2 cucumber
coconut cream cheese (optional)

RECIPE

Wash and cut cucumber into 1/8” to 1/4″ slices, place on plate.
Top with coconut cream cheese (if desired) and/or 1 slice of lox.

The recipe is that simple but it’s a great way to change your normal snack or party appetizer. If you’re interested in adding coconut cream cheese to your lox bites you can find the recipe for it here.

Enjoy!

Melissa Van Dover

@melissavandover | melissavandover.com

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Paleo Explained

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A message from Camilla and Melissa

We love to have guest posts and we’re so grateful that others want to share their stories, creations and experiences with all of us. Every individual is entitled to their own health beliefs and we respect everyones wishes. While some of the comments in our guest posts may not be reflective of a true “Paleo Diet”, it is our hope that the common goal of a healthier life will help to guide you in your own health choices.

We are excited to present The Paleo Diet Infographic courtesy of Life Health HQ!

paleo-infographic

 

About Life Health HQ

The Life Health HQ blog has published a new infographic explaining the paleo diet and why so many folks have switched over to paleo eating. The Paleo Diet Infographic uses fun visuals to provide a general overview of the theory behind paleo eating, what foods can and cannot be eaten on the paleo diet, and the nutritional benefits of going Paleo.

Feel free to share this infographic on your own blog or on social media…more power to Paleo!

Coconut Cream Cheese

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I love cream cheese, unfortunately it doesn’t exactly align with the paleo diet. That love has led me to try and find a recipe for coconut cream cheese. I had no luck until I made it on accident in an attempt to make coconut yogurt more easily.

So here it is… how to make no hassle, coconut cream cheese.

INGREDIENTS

1 can of coconut milk (the fuller fat the better)
2 probiotic tablets (mine were rated at 10 billion), you’ll need to break these open as you’ll just be using the powder and be discarding the casings.
3 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon of gelatin
*you’ll also need 1 mason jar.

RECIPE

Turn your oven light on, just the light you do not need to turn on the oven. The heat from the light will be enough to incubate the mixture and give it the slightly sour taste that is similar to cream cheese.
Open the can of coconut milk and scoop out the thick coconut cream that has formed at the top of the can and place in a clean mason jar.
After you have scooped out the thick coconut cream, add roughly 3 tablespoons of the remaining liquid to the mason jar with the cream. (The remaining liquid can be saved and added to smoothies or other recipes.!)
Add the probiotic powder, honey and gelatin the mason jar and stir to combine.
Stick in the over with the oven light on for 24 hours (do not cover).
After 24 hours remove from the oven.
You’ll notice that the mixture has separated, a milky color liquid on the top and a clear liquid on the bottom
Spoon the milky top layer into a blender and blend(the clear liquid can be used for other recipes).
Place the mixture in a new mason jar and cover.
Place in the fridge and wait a couple days, the mixture will solidify.
After the mixture has solidified it is ready to eat.

This cream cheese is the perfect addition to many paleo recipes, it will give you the creaminess you’ve been missing. You may notice a similar recipe coming up soon on the blog as we learn how to make coconut yogurt with no hassle.

Enjoy!

Melissa Van Dover

@melissavandover | melissavandover.com

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Pork Stew

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Traditionally, stew takes hours to cook. But who has time for that?!

This Pork Stew recipe is made stir-fry style with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños and spices, and utilizes natural apple sauce to create a stew-like gravy.

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 pound pork, sliced into strips
1/4 cup tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup onions, chopped finely
1 tablespoon jalapeños, chopped
1/2 teaspoon oregano spice
2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce

RECIPE

In a medium saute pan, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.
Add the pork strips to the pan, season with the oregano and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Pork Stew Preparation
Once the pork is almost fully cooked, add the tomato, onion and jalapeño, before turning the heat up to medium-high.

Allow the tomato and onion to soften while the meat soaks up the flavor.

Pork Stew Dish
Last but not least, add the apple sauce to the dish and continue to cook for another minute or two, stirring continuously.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Camilla Carboni

@camillacarboni | camillacarboni.com

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A Gourmet Fish Topping

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Fish is one of the most nutritious meals you can give your body. However, sometimes with fish we can get a little bored because we tend to repeat recipes that we know. We do this because fish can be one of those intimidating dishes to make. Don’t worry though; we have you covered with this great fish “marinade” which is really more of a topping. I prefer it on salmon but it goes great with most fish.

INGREDIENTS

1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (Plaeo Leaps has a great recipe to make your own, take a look here)
1 tomato
2 basil leaves

*note: this is good for roughly two small fillets, you may need to double or triple this recipe depending upon how much you’re cooking.

RECIPE

In a small bowl mash together garlic and salt. You may need to use a spoon to grind the two together, you will end up with a mash consistency mixture.
Add mustard to mixture, combine thoroughly and place aside.
Wash and slice tomato, you’ll want the tomato to be thin, no more than 1/8” thick.
Wash and slice basil into strips.
Taking fillets, spread mustard mixture over top evenly.
Place tomato slices on top of fish, covering whole fillet. The tomato layer should only be one slice thick (do not place tomato slices on top of each other as this will cause fish to cook unevenly).
Cook or grill fish until fillet is cook through. (Temperature and length will depend on your fish and cooking method, because you are layering the mustard mixture and tomatoes on top of the fillet it may take a few extra minutes to cook all the way through).
Place fresh basil on top of fillets and cook two additional minutes.
Remove and serve.

This is one of the best ways to prepare fish for individuals who are not big fish eaters. It cuts down drastically on the “fishiness” of fish. For those of you who like fish, you’re in for a great treat.

Enjoy!

Melissa Van Dover

@melissavandover | melissavandover.com

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Steak and Blueberry Salad

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I can’t get enough of salads on summer days, so I’m always looking for new taste combinations and ways to pair protein with antioxidant rich fruits.

In this summer salad, cooked steak provides substance, while the sun-dried tomatoes and blueberries compete for attention, creating a taste sensation that’s both hunger satisfying and delightful!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 pound cooked steak, warmed and cut into thin strips
1 cup mixed greens of your choice
1/8 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/8 cup blueberries
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar for dressing

RECIPE

On a dinner plate, lay the steak strips out to form the bed of the dish.
Top with the greens and then decorate with sun-dried tomatoes and blueberries.
Finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and enjoy while the steak is still warm.

Here’s to simple yet decadent salad dishes!

Camilla Carboni

@camillacarboni | camillacarboni.com

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Simple Pork Sausage Patties

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The best way to start the morning off is with a hearty breakfast. I’ve found that there is nothing better than a sausage patty or a piece of bacon when I need to make sure to have energy for the day. The following is a simple recipe for sausage patties. The best part about it is that it can easily be customized to fit your taste buds. If you know that you do or do not like a certain spice try substituting your preferences in this recipe. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make a breakfast staple for yourself.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon mace
1 teaspoon sage
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 – 2 tablespoons coconut oil

RECIPE

In a bowl combine all ingredients except coconut oil.
Mix together with hands, cover and let sit overnight in fridge.
Remove from fridge and form into sausage patties.
Heat coconut oil over medium, high heat.
Place patties in pan and cook for roughly 10 minutes, flipping occasionally.
Your cooking length will depend upon what size you make your patties, I always recommend checking one patty to ensure it is cooked all the way through before consuming.
After your patties are cooked, remove and let cool.

I make these patties before my week starts and bring them with me to work every morning so that I don’t miss out on a much needed breakfast. They also double as a great snack to get you through to your next meal.

Enjoy!

Melissa Van Dover

@melissavandover | melissavandover.com

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