Larissa and I are busy people, as are most of the folks in our community. Full-time jobs, kids, pets, and finding time for friends and family can make it challenging for anyone to plan meals, much less plan healthy meals. The siren song of Grubhub beckons all too often when we realize, after working, that we forgot to take a lunch break and failed to plan for dinner. And then came, Buddha bowls….vegan and vegetarian Buddha bowls to be exact!
In this episode of the Vegetarian Zen podcast, we talk about:
- What Buddha Bowls are
- 3 reasons why we love them
- The anatomy of a vegan/ vegetarian Buddha Bowl
- 2 tips for making them part of your weekly meal planning
You can listen to us discuss Buddha Bowls here or read on for a quick summary:
Enter the Buddha Bowl…
I follow a plethora of vegan and vegetarian accounts on social media, so I’ve seen plenty of Vegan and Vegetarian Buddha Bowls pictures. I’m sure you’ve seen them too.
Vegetarian Buddha Bowls, also known as hippie bowls, power bowls, veggie bowls, or macro bowls, are filled with vibrant, healthy food. They’re the perfect one-bowl meal with tons of flavor.
Why Are They Called “Buddha Bowls”?
The naming of these beautiful bowls has several interpretations:
- The shape of the bowl signifies Buddha’s belly.
- It’s “balanced”, just like the Buddha.
- It’s a representation of what the Buddha himself ate.
These flavorful bowls have solved many challenges we’ve faced regarding our own eating and nutrition.
3 Reasons You Need Buddha Bowls in Your Life
1. Meal Planning and Meal Prep
A Vegetarian Buddha Bowl is a super easy, healthy meal to create, particularly on busy weeknights. You can use cooked quinoa, roasted veggies, fresh veggies, and brown rice for quick assembly. Add bowl sauces like Tahini dressing or green goddess dressing to spice things up.
2. Variety
This is the perfect option if your household consists of both omnivore and plant-based family members. You can include crispy tofu or animal protein to please everyone.
3. Meeting Nutritional Needs
A beautiful bowl filled with fresh vegetables, grain bowls, healthy veggies,
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The Anatomy of an Amazing Vegan/ Vegetarian Buddha Bowl
1. Veggies And/ Or Fruits
Get a mix of raw veggies, roasted vegetables, seasonal veggies, and colorful veggies like sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, broccoli florets, and 1-2 avocados.
2. Whole Grains
Choose brown rice, white rice, roasted sweet potatoes, or millet.
3. Protein
Use crispy tofu, black beans, or lentils as
4. Nuts And/ Or Seeds
Include pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and Hemp seeds for texture.
5. Dressing
A flavorful sauce can include Tahini dressing or a simple olive oil vinaigrette.
Two Tips for Making Vegan/ Vegetarian Buddha Bowls Part of Your Weekly Meal Plan
Tip 1: Batch Cook When Possible
While it’s true that Buddha bowls have saved us a lot of time planning out individual meals, there is still an element of planning involved, mainly in the form of batch cooking. Taking even a couple of hours at the beginning of the week to batch cook beans, legumes, quinoa, or pan-fried tofu can make the entire week much easier with respect to planning.
Tip 2: Get Creative!
Anything can get boring after a while if you don’t mix it up every now and then. Keep your bowls exciting by trying new foods and food combinations. Consider creating “ethnic” Buddha bowls by incorporating foods from a different country.
Looking for some Buddha Bowl inspiration? Check out our eBook, Buddha Bowls: The Vegetarian Zen Way!
In this eBook, you will learn:
- What Buddha bowls are and why they are the PERFECT meal
- How to create your own awesome combinations based on your needs and specific tastes
- Some of our favorite ingredient combinations (recipes) plus ideas for sauces and dressings
We hope you have fun creating your delicious bowls! Send us a message on Facebook sharing any of your delicious creations!