If you're anything like us, lunch may not be your best meal of the day. Usually crammed between last minute meetings or made of whatever's leftover in the office cabinets (stale peanuts), it's hardly the thoughtful, nutrtionally balanced dining experience we pine for. Which is exactly why our interest was piqued when we spotted the The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, a contest calling for your most delicious, but still healthy, lunch recipe. It's hosted by Epicurious, the U.S. State Department of Education, and First Lady Michelle Obama, and the rules are pretty simple: each recipe should be original, affordable, and represent all of the food groups (that means fruits, veggies, whole grains, protein, and dairy).
Entrants must be between the ages of 8 and 12 ('sup, little sis?) and winners get a trip to Washington D.C., plus a chance to attend a special dinner in the White House. Neat!
Now, for inspiration, might we suggest One Pat Kale and Quinoa Pilaf (pictured above) or Shaved Asparagus and Mint Salad?
The Healthy Lunchtime Challange from Epicurious
Cassie loves to cook, eat, and then write about it. She can't resist anything with sweet potatoes, but if she had to pick one food for the rest of her life it might be avocado. (She changes her mind a lot.) She also believes that anything will taste better on a tortilla, and that tacos are the premier food of summertime. You can catch her reading Calvin & Hobbes on the stoop of her apartment, or on the roof in her garden. Say hello!
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