Tag Archives: lunch

Mackenzie River

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I squeezed in one last birthday celebration yesterday with some book shopping and lunch at a new-to-us restaurant called MacKenzie River.

Here’s how they describe themselves on their website:

MacKenzie River was born & raised in Montana by free-spirited people who believe life should be a wide-open, constant exploration. The first employees were ski bums, hikers, kayakers, and anglers—outdoor enthusiasts who worked hard, played harder and valued a drink and a good meal at the end of the day. MacKenzie River is designed to give everyone a place to go that reflects the mind and soul of “The Last Best Place” in attitude, atmosphere and in a menu that offers tried-and-true favorites with a twist of exceptional mountain flavor.

They have great atmosphere with vintage black and white images taken in nature and just a handful of outdoorsy accents that create character without making clutter. I regret not snapping a few pictures inside the restaurant. Another time.

The service was good but the food was excellent. They are meat heavy with things like bison burgers and interesting pizza combinations but they do have some vegetarian dishes. The black bean burger was tempting but I eat those all the time. I am pescatarian and so chose the Korean BBQ Salmon Bowl.

This isn’t something I would normally order because I was sure it would have a kick but I’m so glad I tried a new dish. It has a rice base with carrots, red peppers, perfectly cooked broccoli, shredded red cabbage, and baked salmon in Korean bbq sauce. Some scallions and sesame seeds were in there too. Honestly, I would have been thrilled with the veggies, rice and sauce but the salmon was good too.

The sauce did have a kick – enough to clear my sinuses – but it was a delicious change and a wonderful reminder to occasionally try new things.

Whether it’s a different workout at the gym, a new route to work, or just something different for lunch, experimentation can be a good thing!

What can you try today that is new to you?

They have several locations out west as well as two in Ohio and one in Kentucky. Click here to learn more!

Quick, Healthy Lunch For One

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As a pescatarian person in a world that centers on beef, chicken and bacon, I find that quick and affordable healthy meals can be a challenge.

My schedule sometimes allows me time at my home office and other days on the road. When I travel, the lunch options are somewhat limited and mostly unhealthy so I try to eat reasonably healthy when cooking at home.

I like to cook but am often pressed for time- either because of scheduling or because I wait till I’m already hungry to start preparing food.

Shortcuts are my friends.

One of my regular lunches is the best kind of shortcut. This family size stir fry was on sale and came with all the veggies plus two sauce packets. So it’s easy to make half of the bag at one time!

Sometimes they come with noodles. This one did not but that was fine because I had a microwaveable packet of jasmine rice. That rice packet claims to be a single serving. That seems like too much for one meal so I just use half.

Half of a family pack of veggies and half the rice packet are perfect together. Then I sauté some frozen shrimp to round out the meal.

It all cooks up quickly and it is affordable. Cooking for one or two doesn’t have to be the challenge that society tells us it is. You just have to be creative and smart.

A Workday Picnic

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Yesterday I found myself with the unusual combination of free time for lunch and proximity to a state park. So I stopped by a local deli for cheese and veggies on a whole wheat bun and then headed to Ash Cave for a picnic.

I found solace from the world at a table on the far end of the parking lot.

It was just me and the birds and the wind in the trees. Cell phones don’t work out there and I had nothing to do but sit and enjoy my freedom. I didn’t even have a book.

I eventually took a little walk despite looking a bit out of place in my dress clothes but I didn’t care at all. Given that I often eat leftovers at work, this was like a mini vacation in the middle of my day.

Cleaning out the fridge: a frugal lunch

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I had some stuff in my fridge this morning that was approaching the point of no return. Another day or two and they would either get tossed or pushed to the back of the shelf to languish until the mold is so severe I contemplate how badly I want to save the container.

Sigh. This is not a good place to be.

So today’s lunch is an assortment of bits and pieces that might otherwise have been wasted. Some turkey, a banana that was a day away from turning soft, some very tasty hot pepper jack cheese and the last of this week’s grapes. It’s a little bland looking but very tasty.  It’s also a nice feeling to know that this stuff I worked to pay for won’t be wasted.