Most people say that a lack of time is the main obstacle to preparing something whole and nutritious to eat. This gets even more complicated when you are at work or on the road. We’re always trying to whittle down the amount of time we need to make meals, while at the same time keeping it real. So if you regularly find yourself in an office or a lunch room or a hotel room that has a microwave oven, I’ve come up with a few unusual and creative meal ideas for when you are away from home. Transportation security will not stop you for traveling with quinoa or sweet potatoes or a spork.

Each of these recipes takes just one minute to gather the ingredients, but read the instructions carefully, because preparation and cooking times vary greatly. Actual cooking times range from 30 seconds to 20 minutes. All these recipes are designed to serve just one.

Idea #1:  Sweet potatoes and peanut butter. 10 minutes from start to finish.

• Ingredient gathering: Rinse a small-medium sweet potato and wrap it in a paper towel. Pack it up along with a jar of peanut butter (unless you already keep one at your office like I do), or spoon some peanut butter into a small container suitable for travel.
• Preparation/Cooking:  Dampen the paper towel in which your sweet potato is wrapped, and place it in the microwave oven. Cook at 100% power for 5-6 minutes, and go check your messages. Once the potato is soft, remove it from the oven, slice it open, and spoon into it 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter. If the potato is hot enough, sometimes the peanut butter melts a little and gives it an extra layer of added flavor.

Idea #2:  Red quinoa with raisins and almonds. 25-30 minutes from start to finish.

• Ingredient gathering: Measure 1 /2 cup quinoa into a microwave-friendly (e.g., glass) jar with at least a 2-cup capacity, along with 1 tablespoon each raisins and almonds. Close tightly, and pack it up to take on the road.
• Preparation/Cooking:  Fill the jar with approx. 1 cup water. Do not replace the jar lid. Cover with a paper towel, and cook in a microwave oven at 100% power for 5 minutes. Now the quinoa must rest for 15 minutes to absorb the water. If you are staying at a hotel, this is the time to brush your teeth, practice a few yoga positions, and shower. Then check your meal. Except for the very top layer, which will remain dark, almost all the grains will have turned translucent with a visible white ring. If they have not, cook it for 3 more minutes, let it sit for 5 more minutes, and get dressed in the meantime. Now you can enjoy your quinoa. Just one word of warning: If you use white quinoa, be prepared for it to cook a lot faster.

Idea #3:  Oatmeal (steel-cut). 8 hours (all day or all night) from start to finish, but with the least prep/cook time.

• Ingredient gathering: Measure 1 /2 cup steel cut oats into a microwave-friendly (e.g., glass) jar. Add any of these, as you like: 1 tablespoon of dried apples or apricots, 1 teaspoon of chia or flax seed, one shake of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon peanuts. Pack it up to take on the road. Take along a restaurant packet of white or cider vinegar, or measure a very small amount into a very small travel-friendly container. You must REMEMBER TO TAKE the vinegar.
• Preparation/Cooking: If you would like to eat your oatmeal for breakfast, then do this next part the previous evening, before you go to bed. If you plan to have it for dinner, then do it in the morning before you leave your hotel room. Add 1 cup water to the jar, along with approximately 1 /4 teaspoon of vinegar. Let it sit uncovered at room temperature all night (or all day) long. The acid in the vinegar will cook the oats without any need for heat. The sugars in the dried fruit will slowly seep into and sweeten the oats. When you are ready to eat, heat up your oatmeal in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, and enjoy. You can add more sweetener if you like.

If you have other ideas, please share them below!