tunac3

tunac3

Happy 2014 everyone!!

I know that most people are looking for healthy choices this time of year so I thought I would share one of my favorite lunch ideas.  I always pack my lunch for work… or wherever I’m going.  I have this strange fear of being somewhere and all of the sudden I have uncontrollable hunger and all I have are awful unhealthy options… which is why I always pack food when I travel… but I digress. HERE is a lunch idea that is perfect for work, school, anything on-the-go (not the airport…don’t be that person with the smelly tuna sandwich on the airplane).  Tuna Salad Stuffed Cucumbers! I got this idea from the rice-less sushi rolls that are made with thinly sliced cucumbers instead of the rice.  I’m pretty sure they like to call it “the bikini roll.”  I made mine more of a banana boat style.  I like having good quality canned tuna around.   It’s fast, easy, healthy, and gives you lean protein to help you get through the day.  I think everyone likes their tuna a certain way… I like mine low on the mayo and flavored with grainy mustard and lemon followed by pumpkin seeds for an added crunch.  Adding fresh parsley really brightens up the tuna as well.  I find that adding fresh herbs to dishes makes them taste more refreshing and well-rounded.  A quick note on mayo.  I am usually not a fan of commercially made mayo.  If you can make your own at home that’s great, but I realize that not many people have the time for that.  I do, however, recommend looking at ingredients.  Lots of mayos have added sugars, hydrogenated oils, and soybean oil which aren’t great to eat.  Trader Joe’s has a great option!  If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near by just make sure to look at the ingredients.  As long as you can pronounce, spell, and actually buy the ingredients that are in it then you are fine… and if not… skip the mayo and just add a bit more olive oil.

tunac5

tunac5

Here’s what you need:

1 or 2 cucumbers (depending on their size)

1 5oz can of tuna (I like mine packed in oil)

2 tablespoons of mayo

2 teaspoons of grainy mustard

the juice of half a lemon (more or less depending on how much you like lemon)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley

2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds

tunac4

tunac4

*Cut the cucumber in half then cut the halves in half… got it?

*Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and hollow out the cucumber

*Combine the tuna, mayo, mustard, lemon juice, and parsley in a bowl and mix together until well combined

*Stir in the pumpkin seeds

*Spoon the tuna mixture into the hollowed out cucumber halves

tunac6

tunac6

tunac7

tunac7

tunac1

tunac1