What 5 PureWow Editors Ate for Lunch Today

“I try to bring my lunch to work every day, so if I forget it every once in a while, it’s not a huge hit to my budget. I will usually bring leftovers from dinner the night before, like this poke-inspired rice bowl I’ve been living on. It looks fancy, but it takes all of 20 minutes to make a big batch. Just grab some seaweed salad from a sushi restaurant, sauté up a bunch of random veggies (like snap peas, carrots and cabbage), cook a batch of shrimp and throw whatever else you want over rice. A little Trader Joe’s Gyoza Dipping Sauce and some spicy mayo on top are *chef’s kiss.*” —Brianna Lapolla, senior editor

“I know, I know—I’m the food editor, but even we have lunch fails. This is my ‘I forgot to pack leftovers, so I scrounged for food in the office’ lunch. I try to pack my lunch four days out of five and reserve one day for buying lunch, as a treat. Clearly, I was unsuccessful this week. In fact, I keep a jar of peanut butter in my desk for a quick protein fix for this very reason. The candy is not lunch, it’s actually for later. Don’t worry, Mom, it’s fine.” —Katherine Gillen, food editor

“Call me lazy, but I very rarely bring my own lunch, despite it being high on my 2020 resolution list. Today, I ordered in and got the Protein Power Salad from Just Salad, opting for light olive oil and balsamic as dressing. Sweet potatoes, almonds, avocado, chicken, egg…probably a little too involved for me to quickly make on my own, but maybe #2021 goals?” —Phil Mutz, executive editor

“I packed pork tenderloin, mixed vegetables and couscous. It’s a Hello Fresh recipe (but I had to swap the vegetables because I waited too long to cook this meal—oops). I started the Hello Fresh subscription in the beginning of the year and now I cook two or three meals a week. Sometimes I have leftovers to bring for lunch, so I try to pack my own lunch as often as possible. It helps me save money and eat healthier than I would if I bought lunch. It’s also pretty easy to whip up at home and it looks like a gourmet meal (most of the time).” —Chelsea Candelario, editorial assistant

“Alison Roman’s internet-famous stew is my favorite thing in the world since it’s soooo easy and soooo good. I make a big batch at the beginning of the week—with a few twists that will probably upset Stew-Heads, but essentially, I make it more of a curry than a thick soup—and then dole it out over rice for lunch with a squeeze of lime. And just like Roman, I don’t peel my ginger!” —Dara Katz, executive editor