I’m going to start out by putting this out there: I like to take my lunch to work with me. I like knowing exactly what I’m getting, and that it is fresh and healthy, and I purposely make extra of whatever I am making for dinner so I have lunch already ready and waiting when it is time to trundle into the office the next day. So while this mango shrimp salad is one of our current favorite supper salads, it’s also one of my current favorite lunches…sweet and savory and crunchy and healthy and filling.
And one of the things that is making my weekday lunches even MORE delicious these days is that I have (after decades of searching) finally found the Best Lunchbox Ever. Because while of course you can take your mango shrimp salad in a brown paper bag, somehow it tastes even more scrumptious when you bring it in a lunchbox that pretty much turns eating at your desk into a peaceful Zen experience. And because I want as many people as possible to have a peaceful Zen experience while eating their office lunch, I’m going to give two of them away! Read on to join the lunchbox happiness!
Shrimp, mango and a quick honey mustard dressing make the perfect quick and healthy lunch salad!Click To TweetFrom the minute I watched the video on this Prepd Pack lunchbox I was hooked. First of all, it is a thing of beauty – a sturdy bamboo and polymer case that closes with secure magnet.
You open it up by pulling on that blue fabric tab. The bamboo part lays flat to make a perfect little placemat, and inside there are chopsticks (and if you are not a chopstick person you can buy a real fork, knife and spoon – no plastic business here- that are not only held in place by a pretty blue elastic band, but they are also magnetic so they line up on top of each other in a neat little line. I went for those!). There are also a set of mix and match containers (more on those in a sec) for your food.
And if that wasn’t enough, there is also an app where you can find all kinds of recipes for lunch ideas. And/or you can also come on over here and check out all my lunch ideas. Or both!
The containers are dishwasher/microwave/freezer safe, leakproof, and just so dang pretty with their blue border. They come in three sizes so you can mix and match depending on what you are in the mood for, lunch-wise. I bought a few extra of each size so that I can fill up lots of them on the weekend and just grab whichever ones strike my fancy in the morning. (If you want AWESOME ideas for food prep lunch ideas, click here for ideas from my friend Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean.)
When lunchtime rolls around, you unsnap your magnet, gaze at your beautiful lunch, and it pretty much compels you to take deep breath and savor your lunch, rather than chomping and dripping your sandwich over your keyboard as you work (raises hand). Here’s what my mango shrimp salad looked like in my lunchbox the other day.
See that little circle on the top of the square container? That is for a little cup that twists on to the inside of the lid in case you want to bring some dressing, or a dip, or anything else you want to add right before you dig in to your lunch. Just pop open the lid and dig in. There are also all kinds of accessories (cooling sticks, lunchbox case, extra containers) that you can get.
In all seriousness, in the couple of months since I have been bringing my lunch in my Prepd Pack, I really have slowed down to spread it out nicely and eat in a calmer, more peaceful way. And in the rush of a workday, I think there is a lot to be said for taking the time to do that, even if it is just 15 minutes of eating mindfully. And this elegant lunchbox helps me do that!
Meanwhile back at the mango salad, this recipe is as simple as it is delicious. Shake up a quick dressing of lime juice, olive oil, honey, mustard and cumin (as always, I have an endless supply of cute little mason jars that work perfectly for this). Toss some cooked shrimp and cubed mango (and here’s the best way to wrangle a mango) with avocado chunks, cucumber, scallions and cashews, drizzle with the dressing and voila! The perfect summertime supper…with leftovers for your lunch box!
If you want to turn your lunchtime into a lovely Zen experience, leave me a comment below telling me what your favorite lunchbox meal is, and in a week I will randomly pick two lucky winners, and the nice folks at Prepd will send both of you your very own Prepd Pack. And your lunch hour will be forever changed!
This giveaway is now closed.
- Juice from one lime
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey (heat it in the microwave for about ten seconds to make it liquid)
- 1 pound cooked shrimp
- 2 mangos, cubed
- 1 avocado, cubed
- ¼ cup cashews
- ½ cucumber, cut into small pieces
- 2 scallions, chopped
- Make the dressing: Put all dressing ingredients into a small jar, close the lid tightly and shake.
- Combine all salad ingredients and toss gently. Drizzle with dressing, tasting as you go, until it is dressed to your liking.
- Enjoy right away...or as the perfect lunchbox lunch!
Pimento cheese (in a sandwich or with crackers), perfect grapes (green or red), nuts and dried fruit, homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookie
What a gorgeous lunchbox! I usually bring boring lunches (hunk of bread, hunk of cheese, apple, granola bar), but I would be inspired to pack nicer lunches if I had a fancy lunchbox like that.
Brussel sprout and kale salad with mandarin oranges, crazy raisins and mixed seeds with a poppy dressing, a couple of dates, and a handful of almonds.
I usually pack a salad for lunch. I typically re-purpose dinner leftovers into a salad topping, so it keeps it simple!
This recipe looks so tasty!
My favorite lunchbox meal is Greek chicken with brown rice and a cucumber salad.
This is so adorable; might convince me to pack my lunch!
Id make my own version of the Starbucks lunch pack….apples, nuts, cheese, hardboiled egg, and some grilled chicken.
I love making chicken salad using home guacamole instead of mayo. I eat it with tortilla chips or on gluten free crackers. A side of fresh fruit is always yummy.
I like anything that is not a sandwich. Different components so that every bite isn’t more of the same as the last bite. Love those seperate containers.
I like a salad with leftover chicken and blue cheese dressing with spicy croutons and chunks of fresh fruit.
I love a whole wheat pita filled with hummus, shredded lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a little feta along with a handful of nuts, dried fruits and dark chocolate chips 🙂
I’ve been keeping it simple hard boiled eggs or a salad with an egg.
I like making a nice salad, or making homemade guacamole.
I would most likely make a salad with some chicken and some dried cranberries for some sweetness, plus some nuts for crunch. Thank you.
Seared Mahi Mahi with Mango avocado salsa
Wow,one of the smartest ideas I have seen in years!Great for gifts as well,thanks.
Leftovers or a salad. Something light
When taking a lunch, I typically go with something that doesn’t have to be reheated. Lately that’s been either a greens or spiralized veg salad with baked tofu or a couple hard-boiled eggs.
Your mango shrimp salad looks totally delish Kate! And that has to be the prettiest lunch box I’ve ever seen! You’re stylin’!
Leftovers are one of my favorite lunches. I also like to make wraps with smoked turkey, gouda or cheddar and apple butter. This lunchbox looks so much nicer than my old one I’v had forever. AND it appears it would fit in my bag so I wouldn’t have to carry a separate lunch bag.
Chicken salad with a side of sliced tomatoes. And a piece of fruit or fruit salad.
Today’s lunch is always last night’s dinner! In order to set myself up for a less hectic morning, I have made it a routine that whenever I am fixing plates at dinnertime, I immediately pack up all leftovers into lunch portion containers, including weekend meals. That way we end up with an assortment of meals to choose from for our lunches throughout the week!
Oh gosh… my current favorite lunch box meal would have to be my made ahead breakfast of a egg and veggie scramble!
What a cool lunchbox, My last lunchbox had Barbie on it.
I usually do salads with any leftover veggies and cheese and crackers.
Mango shrimp salad looks so vibrant, refreshing and pretty. And those containers look pretty, Kate.
Love how light and healthy this salad is! Looks perfect for summer!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
I love curry for lunch
I love leftover chicken or spaghetti along with cucumber & tomato salad. Oh, and grapes to munch on. That is the coolest lunchbox ever!