Moms are like superheroes. We move mountains (or minivans full of children) all day long. But, like all superheroes, we have our kryptonite — we’re usually so focused on the needs of our kids, we tend to forget about our own. For me, this is especially true at lunchtime. Lilly gets out of preschool at 12:30, Max is ready for nap by 1:15. Lunch is often a hectic affair in between, leaving me little time to worry about feeding myself.
One of my go-to choices for a quick, healthy lunch is a simple slice of hearty toast, piled high with savory veggies. The act of toasting the bread provides the illusion of enjoying a hot meal without creating a pile of dirty dishes. I like to top my toast with smashed avocado for a creamy foundation layer. Next I add a handful of wilted spinach for a dose of greens, followed by thinly sliced cucumbers for refreshing crunch. Toasted sesame seeds add nuttiness, while sea salt, lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil round things out. Its like a salad that you can eat with one hand (because the other hand is busy refilling sippy cups and wiping sticky fingers).
Of course, a piece of toast is only as good as the bread you’re using. I find that a sturdy whole grain bread does the best job holding up under all those veggies. I recently received a loaf of Sprouted 7-Grain Bread from the folks at Angelic Bakehouse, based in Cudahy, Wisconsin. The sprouted grains definitely add a delicious, distinct texture in their bread — plus it’s packed with a ton of nutrition to keep me going all afternoon. So I can continue to save the day (or unclog the toilet, fold the laundry and find lost stuffed animals) all the way until bedtime.
7-Grain Toast with Avocado, Cucumber & Toasted Sesame Seeds
One slice of toast
Ingredients
1 slice of Sprouted 7-Grain Bread or other hearty bread of your choice
1/2 a small avocado, pitted and flesh scooped out and smashed with a fork
8 leaves of baby spinach, wilted (I microwave mine for about 15 seconds)
8 to 10 thin slices of English cucumber
1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon wedge
sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Toast bread as desired.
- Spread avocado in an even layer over toast. Top with a layer of wilted spinach, followed by the cucumber slices. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the top.
- Drizzle olive oil, lemon juice and a few pinches of salt evenly over slice of toast and enjoy immediately.
