A WELL-BALANCED BOWL
A buddha bowl is a plant-based bowl that hits all the major food groups! With no restrictions on creativity, choose from a variety of fresh produce, whole grains and lean proteins. You'll feel full and satisfied longer from this bowl's combination of good carbohydrates, healthy fats, filling proteins, vitamins and minerals. By definition it's the epitome of a balanced meal. Considering the key Buddhist concept of balance, the bowl's reference to Buddha makes perfect sense. The bowl isn't said to have any deep spiritual meaning though, maintaining a balanced diet is definitely key for good health and well-being.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER PLANT-BASED BOWLS?
You might have heard of grain bowls, hippie bowls, power bowls and macro bowls. The list goes on and on! The principles to creating a buddha bowl are easy and adaptable to any diet. So, it's no wonder there has been a ripple effect with others who enjoy them. Amongst all the differences, one thing remains the same. They all promote eating whole, unprocessed foods that provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. As such, they all fall into the food-as-medicine philosophy, proven to lower disease risks and treat illnesses. At the end of the day, overstuff your bowl (or plate) with whole, nutrient-dense foods that work best for you and call it what you want!
CUSTOMIZE YOUR BOWL TO YOU
Make it your own while keeping the key Buddhist concept of balance in mind. Consider meal prepping individual ingredients for variety, so you can switch it up throughout the week. Prep various whole foods to combine and create different options. In the spirit of quarantine cooking, buddha bowls couldn't be more easily adaptable to your household inventory. Create well-balanced bowls with your fresh, freshly frozen and pantry-based ingredients. Bonus points if you're able to use up any leftovers. Lastly, don't forget to spark joy with spices and seasonings inspired by your favorite destinations.
IN OUR BUDDHA BOWL
We used coconut meat, containing healthy fats and fiber, for our filling protein. Also included: whole grain rice, leafy green kale, cabbage and broccoli. This particular bowl has a sweet and sour asian flavor profile with a soy-ginger marinade. Create the marinade by whisking together the following: 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 TBS coconut nectar, 2 TBS sesame oil, 2 tsp minced garlic, 1 TBS grated ginger root, 1 TBS chopped green onion or shallot, 1 TBS raw sesame seeds, and 1/2 tsp ground pepper. To marinade coconut meat, soak for 2 - 12 hours before searing on a pan for optimal flavor!