Nourishing Buddha Bowl Options

Ingredients

• Cinnamon Energy Bites:
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 6 dates, pitted
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• Buddha Bowl:
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup brown rice
• ½ cup fresh fava beans, shelled
• ¼ red bell pepper, diced
• ¼ cup frozen peas
• ¼ cup diced Swiss cheese
• ¼ cup canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• ¼ avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• Blueberry Drink:
• ¼ cup frozen blueberries
• 3 jasmine flower buds

Step 1

Tos cashews, dates, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt into a food processor. Blend everything really well, then add the coconut oil and keep blending until the mixture sticks together. Scoop out small balls about the size of gumballs (around 20 grams each), place them on a baking tray, and pop them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Keep these energy bites chilled in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to eat.

Step 2

Bring water, brown rice, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a saucepan. Turn the heat down to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 8 minutes. Then stir in the fava beans, red bell pepper, and peas, cooking everything together until the rice is tender, which should take another 6 minutes or so. Drain if needed, but don’t rinse the rice. Set it aside to cool completely—it usually takes about half an hour.

Step 3

Once the rice is cool, mix it with Swiss cheese and artichoke hearts in a bowl. In a small separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, mustard, and white wine vinegar, then pour this dressing over the rice mixture and give it a good toss. Pack this into your bento box along with a hard-boiled egg.

Step 4

In another compartment, spoon in some yogurt and top it with slices of avocado, a couple of tablespoons of pomegranate seeds, and a sprinkle of chia seeds. Add the frozen energy bites to their own spot in the box. Keep everything in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

Step 5

For a refreshing drink, combine blueberries, a bit more pomegranate seeds, and jasmine buds in a portable container. Fill it with water and let it infuse in the fridge for at least eight hours or overnight. When you’re ready, enjoy it alongside your bento.