What are some good lunch ideas that will give me energy during my work day and be healthy?

I usually eat a Spinach salad with an Italian sauce some vegetables and some fish or chicken. Kinda getting sick of it, so ideas Please!

When cooking use your imagination! Use fresh ingredients, Im not kidding. Dont settle for grocery store meat. Go to the butcher. At least around here the meat is leaner and better because its fresh. Often times the meat is cheaper. Go to the farmers market. Lots of fresh veggies, fruit, cheeses, and spices in the cheap. Its pretty seasonal though. Pretty much anything home made is healthy as long as you dont over eat it. Prolly others will be able to give better advice than I can though.

You could make a caserole if your looking for lots of carbs. Usually rice or pasta based.

Sandwhiches are always good... Try a little italian dressing on it...

Lots of different fruits out there. You could cube fruit and make a fresh fruit cup of sorts.

Go get some fresh herbs...it makes a big difference. If you find you like it a lot, grow your own. It only takes a few minutes a day to upkeep. Most grocery stores will sell fresh herbs but they are a little pricey. Its better to just pick up a few of your favorate plants in the spring and grow them in a pot. Ive been successfuly growing basil the last few years.

On chicken try lots of lemon juice. Very good... I dont eat fish (except sushi) but generally lemon juice is good on lighter meats. Again, with chicken experiment with spices and such.

Buy a veggie steamer! You'll thank me. Mushy is bad. Crispy is good.

Invest in a crock pot and make stew and roast. Almost impossible to burn in a crock pot.

Honey is a good sugar substitution. You also need to account for water when using it though. Do a google search to figure that part out cause I dont remember. Check the farmers market for honey.

When in doubt use garlic... I love garlic.

Watch the food channel. My favorate show is good eats. Also check out the following links.
https://www.cookingforengineers.com/
https://www.foodtv.com/
Or go to a book store and pick up a cheap cook book with lots of recipies you would like to try.

Cooking isnt hard so dont be intimidated! It also helps get the women...

I've been touting this book for a week now all over this board, but I'll say it again.. get "Food for Fitness" by Chris Carmichael. It's a great book, with recipes, sample weekly meal plans for periodized training, and all the info you could ever want on nutrients and performance enhancing foods. Seriously, get it!

bpohl u got a pm

I've already purchased The Ultimate Ride by Chris Carmichael. Great book on overall training. I'll be sure to check this one out too.

Yeah, there may be better out there, but it's the best I've seen so far. Plus, if you're already training with his advice in "The Ultimate Ride", you can fit the nutritional aspect right into the periodized training program.

iovnow, Thanks for the ideas! Great stuff.

I love sushi as well!