Fried plantains and homemade kimchi

Brunch of champions. It's best when the store has good plantains and your friend has shared with you some of their special home-made kimchi - add a nice avocado and delicious fruit for a great brunch. Bake the plantains with chili, salt, pepper and a dab of oil, or dry fry them in a cast iron skillet.

Flavored vinegar

Cooking with garlic can upset IBS and causes really bad breath. But garlic vinegar gives a nice garlic flavor but without the bad reaction. Use it in everything soups, dressings, and stir fry. Flavoring the vinegar with ginger is also nice! Use apple cider vinegar for extra flavor. Store in the fridge: otherwise the fresh herbs will rot, but when refrigerated, this will keep a very long time. To make your own, chop up about 6 cloves of garlic or a large ginger root, cut in half or in smaller pieces, and put in the vinegar of your choice, wait a couple days for it to "steep" and enjoy.

Pumpkin seeds are a great snack

Salt, pepper, a little paprika to spice it up, splash of olive oil and a little roasting and you have a high fiber high protein snack to get you through the workweek. Also, works great as a topping.  Bake in the oven, optional: broil to brown.  Pumpkins are cheap this time of year, take advantage.

Ceviche tostadas!

Gluten Free, Vegan ceviche. Hearts of palm, green onion, mango, bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, a lime and white miso sauce (to give it a fishy taste) salt and pepper. Scoop it with a chip, or make tostadas, nice refreshing summer meal.

Spicy corn on the cob

A great time of the year.... corn with hot sauce, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Maybe you like other spices? Apply generously, eat often!

Popcorn!

Popcorn :) Add some olive oil, nutritional yeast, liquid aminos, and your favorite spices, I like paprika, salt, pepper, and maybe even some dill. But others might enjoy chili powder, garlic, vinegar or other spicy flavors.

Mushroom tacos - add some hot sauce!

Mushroom tacos. Sautéed the mushrooms w a jalapeño, heated up the tortillas, chopped up some cabbage, radishes, avocado, lettuce, and add hot sauce. Quick, easy, and delicious.

Enjoy lunch to the sound of songbirds

One of the practices of Kama Yoga is to enjoy your lunch to the sounds of songbirds.

It is not necessary to cage birds to hear them sing - by studying their biology, their ecology and their behavior, you not only understand more about these delightful creatures (and yourself, and the world you share), but can welcome them in such a way that they will reliably sing just outside your kitchen window.

As with all Yoga, it is the process of learning how to achieve the goal (of bird song) while practicing love (by respecting the fundamental importance of freedom to all living beings) which accomplishes the purpose.

If you do not have the time or ability to study these sciences, you can seek Teachers, Instructors and advisors.  Here in Grand Junction, we are fortunate to not only have several universities and colleges with excellent biologists, but also Wild Birds Unlimited (2454 Highway 6&50, Grand Junction), a store which not only teaches how to enjoy songbirds, but can outfit you with all the equipment you will require.  Their experts are happy to simply provide you with what you need, but if asked will take the time to educate you, as well.

Birdsong is good to hear, not just at lunch.  Which is why Wild Birds Unlimited also donates seed and equipment to area nursing homes, and helps the community in other ways.

Feeding the birds may begin by desiring to simply hear them sing.  But soon you can discover the importance of supporting these wild creatures against the destruction of their habitats, and by understanding how they rely on the environment you share, you quickly grasp the wider implications of the way you interface with your own environment.  Even by the choices you make for your own lunch.

Roasted veggies are an everyday treat!

Roasting for the week. Purple sweet potatoes liven up any meal. Artichokes are a treat and we love them boiled then roasted w oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Who needs gluten when you have potatoes - and other delicious vegetables?

Extra pepper? Extra toppings?

Avocado, cucumber, tomato, green olives, and spicy mustard w extra pepper. Throw it on some GF bread with a side of veggies and you have a quick,healthy, and yummy lunch. Again, preparing toppings or fillings ahead of time makes lunch (or dinner) super quick, easy and nutritious.