My new recent obsession is power bowls. I love the one, two punch they provide. Nutrition + Taste. They always leave me full and satisfied… which is important in a pregnant woman’s life, right?? I’m usually the type of person who, when they find something that tastes good, eats it until it no longer tastes good anymore (day after day of the same thing can get a little mundane). When all my health problems started, I decided that I needed to create much more variety in my diet (my girlfriend and I swear I was starting to turn orange because of my daily intake of carrots…). I took to pinterest for inspiration and came across a plethora of “power bowls.” Power bowls are bowls (duh, right?) that contain proteins, vegetables, fats, and carbohydrates… all the goodness your body needs to function on a daily basis. Since becoming pregnant, I’ve taken this obsession to the next level…

Hence, these two power bowls. I have breakfast and lunch covered with this duo. Literally… you can prepare these the evening before and enjoy the next day if you’re pressed for time (just heat up the breakfast bowl :)). I’m typically an oatmeal kind of gal when it comes to breakfast, but I decided to experiment a tad with quinoa  (it’s a great source of protein in the morning for those non-meat eaters out there) and have to admit, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Bottom line? If you’re looking for some healthy, gluten free, dairy free options for lunch and breakfast… these bowls need to be your new go-to 🙂

Quinoa + Berry Breakfast Bowl 

1/4 + 1/8 cup quinoa (cook the same way you would with water, but replace with about 1 cup of cashew milk… this makes it sweeter).
1 cup + 1/2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla cashew milk (to cook quinoa)
2 tsp roasted, unsalted pistachio nutmegs
1/2 cup blackberries
1 1/2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
1 1/2 tsp golden raisins
1 tsp super seed and ancient grain blend from Trader Joe’s
Drizzle of honey (no more than a teaspoon)

Once quinoa is cooked pour into a bowl. Add another tbsp of cashew milk and a dash of cinnamon, mix together. Top with all ingredients.

Mexican Inspired Power Bowl

1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup canned black beans (rinsed)
1/2 cup corn
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green beans
1/8 medium avocado
1 cup spinach
Green Dragon Hot Sauce from Trader Joe’s, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix together with the green dragon hot sauce.