Ten More Quick and Easy Lunch Ideas
Two weeks ago I shared ten breakfast ideas and last week I shared ten lunch ideas. Some of you liked that so much you requested some more quick and easy ideas and ideas for leftovers.
You asked so here it is: Ten more quick and easy, plant-based meals to get you in and out of the kitchen with not a lot of mess or fuss and ideas for leftovers.
 | 1. Quick Burrito Bowl Combine cooked leftover rice*, canned or leftover pinto beans (or other beans: chili beans, or black beans), corn, chopped tomatoes, and salsa, plant-based sour cream and plant-based cheese, if available and desired. Add lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeno, if desired. This can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a grab ‘n go lunch. Can take an avocado and chop it fresh when ready to eat and add it to the bowl. Satisfying make-ahead, portable meal from leftovers |
*Caution: Leftover rice only keeps for 24 hours or less; use right away or freeze.
Hint: I like to bake my rice and then portion it into serving sizes and freeze. I also cook brown rice in the electric pressure cooker with 1 cup rice to 1¼ cups water or broth and set to high pressure for 35 minutes (natural or rapid release).
2. Hummus & Veggie Wrap Spread leftover hummus on a whole-grain tortilla. Add spinach, shredded carrots, cucumber, sliced bell pepper, and avocado. Roll, cut into pinwheels, and enjoy. Easy make-ahead recipe for grab ‘n go (leave out the avocado). |  |
 | 3. Chickpea Salad Sandwich Use leftover Chickpea Salad from last week’s blog or drain a can of chickpeas. Mash the chickpeas. Add diced celery, plant-based mayo, nutritional yeast, onion and garlic powders, and other seasonings of choice. Serve on whole-grain bread or Toasted Sweet Potato Toast with lettuce and tomato or other vegetables of choice. |
4. Lentil Soup Heat leftover cooked lentils or open a can of lentils, add leftover fresh or canned diced tomatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, garlic, onion and other seasonings of choice such as nutritional yeast, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, Torula yeast, Italian seasoning. Make a large batch and freeze individual portions. |  |
 | 5. Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce Cook some whole grain Spaghetti according to the package directions. Heat a plant-based spaghetti sauce as marinara sauce or tomato basil. Use leftover “meat” loaf and roll into balls for “meat” balls. There are some pretty tasty, packaged plant-based meatballs available that you can just drop into the sauce (we had some on Thursday – delicious!). Serve with a simple side salad or steamed broccoli. You can also try adding leftover cooked lentils to your spaghetti sauce for a more hearty, richer sauce (we had lentil sauce on Saturday – Yummy!). |
6. Quick Noodle Bowl Do you have leftover pasta, spaghetti or other noodles? Toss cooked noodles with shredded cabbage, carrots, and edamame. Make a sauce with nut/seed butter of your choice (we usually use cashew and/or sesame, but peanut butter works too), lime juice, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, garlic, agave or other sweetener (optional), and warm water. Mix together and enjoy! |  |
 | 7. Stuffed Sweet Potato Have leftover sweet potatoes? (By the way, sweet potatoes freeze very well after they are cooked and you simply reheat and your ready to go.) Have leftover lentils or beans? Warm the sweet potato, split it open and fill with leftover lentils or beans. Top with salsa and avocado, maybe a dollop of plant-based sour cream. Serve with steamed broccoli or spinach. |
8. Easy Vegetable Fried Rice Stir-fry leftover brown rice* with frozen peas, carrots, broccoli, and cubed tofu in vegetable broth. Season with Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, garlic, onion, and ginger. (Freezes well). |  |
 | 9. Quinoa Power Bowl Combine leftover cooked quinoa, leftover cooked and drained kidney beans (or other beans), kale or spring greens, chopped cucumber, and shredded carrots, or other available vegetables of choice. Dress with lemon juice, plant-based dressing such as Tahini Dressing. |
10. The Old Standby -- A Peanut Butter Sandwich As adults we can still eat a peanut butter and jam sandwich, with an apple or orange as a side or veggie sticks with your favorite plant-based dressing such as Marty’s Favorite Dressing. There are some great whole food, plant-based fruit jams available now. Smash® is a great option sweetened with dates and thickened with chia! But if you don’t want jam, try adding raisins and a drizzle of honey or banana to the peanut butter sandwich. Yummy! |  |
Dana West, RDN, LD thrives on helping her amazing clients get a new lease on life by embracing health and conquering disease, living with renewed energy and enthusiasm, through learning to cooperate with God, Our Chief Physician. If you’re desiring to improve your weight, health markers, sleep, or energy so you can live life to the fullest again – then join Better Together: A Monthly Health Challenge Club. Wanna Join? Deets Here
WE'VE RAISED $1,525 SO FAR!
Let's Keep the Hope Growing! Every Gift Makes a Difference. Every Life Matters.
Together, we're making a difference! We have already raised $1,525! Will you help us reach even more people with the gift of health and hope?
Imagine discovering that the chronic health struggles you've lived with don't have to define your future. Imagine finding the knowledge, encouragement, and support to take back your health and enjoy life again.
For some, that opportunity begins because someone like you chooses to give.
At Abundant Health Wellness Center (AHWC), our mission is to share God's Ten Essentials for Health™, practical health education, and the life-changing hope found in His Word. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience better health physically, mentally, and spiritually, regardless of their financial circumstances.
And we're already off to a wonderful start!
Thanks to the generosity of caring supporters, $1,525 has already been raised toward our Giving Tuesday campaign! What a blessing! But there are still so many people who need access to the health education, guidance, and encouragement that can help transform their lives.
Just listen to what Nataly shared while participating in our Start a New YOU!® program:
“I found out I was pre-diabetic. Seeing my grandparents die from diabetes complications, and seeing my mother struggle with diabetes now, I knew I had to make a change immediately and reverse this illness and eat right. I signed up for the Start a New You program in June...
“This program has truly been a gift from God. Dana has given me words of encouragement when I most needed them. She just has a way of calming me and putting a smile on my face. She answers questions in the Live Chats with such a positive attitude, offers appropriate tips, and gives great motivation for ‘progression over perfection’.
“I am losing weight, my blood sugar and cholesterol levels are within normal range, and I am enjoying being able to run again.”
~ Nataly
Think about it! Nataly is running again, her blood sugar and cholesterol are within normal range, and she has renewed hope for her future!
Her story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone is the opportunity to learn, make changes, and discover that a healthier future is possible.
Now, imagine how many more lives we could touch together!
Your Gift Can DOUBLE THE HOPE!
Giving Tuesday is December 1, 2026, and a generous matching fund of up to $3,000 per month—or $36,000 for the year—is available to help expand our outreach!
That means your generosity can go even further in providing financial assistance to individuals who otherwise might not be able to participate in:
Start a New YOU!® – Our online health program designed to help participants learn practical lifestyle principles, address chronic disease, and take meaningful steps toward better health.
AHWC Health Retreats – Opportunities to receive personalized health guidance, Biblically based health education, practical tools, and encouragement for a healthier life.
Every sponsorship represents more than a program enrollment. It represents an opportunity for someone to discover new possibilities, receive encouragement, and experience the blessings of better health.
Will you help us turn $1,525 into an even greater outpouring of health and hope?
As Giving Tuesday approaches, would you prayerfully consider making a special gift to AHWC? Whether large or small, your contribution can help someone take that first step toward a healthier, more abundant life.
And why wait until December 1? You can make your gift today! Your early support will build momentum, help us reach our campaign goal, and prepare us to provide more sponsorships in the coming year.
Prefer to give by check? Please make your check payable to:
Abundant Health Wellness Center (AHWC)
798 Madison 8645
Huntsville, AR 72740
Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Thank you, for standing with us in this mission. Your prayers, generosity, and willingness to share God's blessings with others are making a difference.
Together, we can do more than raise funds. We can change lives, restore hope, and help more people experience the abundant life God desires for them!
With heartfelt appreciation,
Dana West, RDN, LD
Comments