It’s Tuesday afternoon, 12:30 pm. You’re staring at the at the greasy sandwich and healthy baked chips from the cafeteria, while half-heartedly clicking through emails to get your inbox to zero.

Cheese oozes through your fingers and drips on your keyboard. You look up to see your co-worker Jeff.  That damn Jeff chuckles as he walks by, as the aroma of another “gourmet lunch” fills your nostrils.

You know how to cook and what to eat, but what’s holding you back? Jeff does it, why aren’t you?

 But Eric, I ‘m too busy to cook. I really don’t have the time! “

Yea, yea. I’ve heard every excuse in the book from clients trying to build an awesome body. They’re intelligent, hard-working college students, executives, and business owners but still lack time management skills to whip up a few healthy muscle-building meals for the week.

It’s not hard. It just requires some a shopping list, halftime during your teams Football game, and a little effort.

I’m gonna hook you up with one of my favorite recipes that’s an easy fix for healthy lunches. I cook this every so often, package it up in portable containers, and throw it in the fridge.

This way, all I have to do is grab the container on my way out the door after my 15 minute morning. Nuke the microwave safe container at work—So we can avoid BPA causing cancer— and voila: Healthy, quick, muscle-building lunch.

What is it?

Chili. Ridiculously tasty and meaty chili. Loaded with fresh vegetables, spices, and copious amounts of dead animal flesh, this stuff has tons of healthy fiber, muscle-building protein, and health promoting phytochemicals.

The Goods

– 1lb 93% Lean Grass Fed Ground Beef

– 1 lb Lean Spicy Chicken Sausage

– ½ lb Carrots

– ½ Onion

-1 Red Bell Pepper

-1 Yellow Bell Pepper

-1 Green Bell Pepper

-3 Jalapeno Peppers

– 1 Green Chili

– 3 serrano peppers

-1 banana pepper

– 1 Can Beans (Pinto, Garbanzo, or Black)- 15 ounces

– 1 Large Jar whole Tomatoes – 28 ounces

– 1 Tbs Minced Garlic

– Extra Virgin Olive Oil (to taste)

– Balsamic Vinaigrette ( to taste)

Seasonings: Cumin, Chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, onion salt

*  Season to taste, I prefer a ginormous tablespoon of each. Or just add a shit-ton of Franks Red Hot, which makes everything taste good. 

Puttin’ It Together

Wash, peel, slice and dice yo’ veggies. Heat a giant pot to medium-high heat. Pour some olive oil and add your spices –This helps bring out the full flavor of the spices.

Onions, carrots, jalapeno, green chilis, garlic, bell peppers should be thrown in the pot and crisped for about 10-12 minutes.Meanwhile, open your beans and tomatoes and set aside. Throw in your meat for another 10 minutes.

Decrease the heat to low, adding in beans and tomatoes. Cover, simmer, and stir every 20 minutes or so. Cook for at least an hour.

I find the longer it cooks, the better it tastes. This bodes well for your next week’s lunches as the flavor deepens.

*P.S. This also works well with large groups or as a  healthy alternative to Game Day Pizza. 

Muscle Building Considerations

Some people like a base with their chili. Both pasta and rice are common options. If you’re needing the calories and looking to add some more muscle stick with rice, or a whole grain pasta noodle.  If you’re looking to get shredded, skip the base and eat the chili as is. There’s more than enough fiber and protein to keep you full. Luckily, chili works perfectly into your carb cycling routine as a muscle-building lunch.

Win Eric’s Favorite- Cookbook

Becoming a good cook – I hope I’m not ahead of myself– Is a great skill to have. Not only is it a huge part in making heathy and nutritious meals, it’s fun and a great way to spend time awesome people. Plus, it impresses girls… and their parents. Double score.

Post Inspired by Nate Green’s $17 Buys you Lunch for Days