Description
Say goodbye to soggy takeout and mid-afternoon energy crashes! This Fruit & Protein Power Box is portable, colorful, balanced, and packed with protein and healthy fats. Perfect for lunch, a snack, or post-workout fuel, it’s flexible, fast, and endlessly customizable.
Ingredients
Fresh Fruit:
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1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
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½ cup blueberries
Protein & Creamy Components:
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1–2 cheese sticks (string cheese, mozzarella, or cubed cheddar/Swiss)
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1 hard-boiled egg (or vegan swap: ⅓ cup roasted chickpeas or edamame)
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2 tbsp almond butter (or any nut/seed butter for dipping)
Optional Extras:
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Apple slices (sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning)
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Whole-grain crackers
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Chia seeds or a pinch of flaky sea salt on the nut butter
Instructions
1. Prep Fruit:
Rinse strawberries and blueberries, then pat completely dry to avoid soggy boxes. Hull and slice strawberries.
2. Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg (Steam Method):
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Place 1 inch water in a pot, bring to boil.
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Lower eggs in a steamer basket, cover, and steam 12 minutes.
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Transfer to ice bath immediately, cool, then peel under running water.
3. Assemble the Box:
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Use a bento-style box, divided container, or silicone cups.
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Place strawberries in one section, blueberries in another.
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Add the peeled egg (halved optional) and cheese stick(s).
4. Add the Dip:
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Spoon almond butter into a small container or cup. Stir before filling. Optional: sprinkle flaky sea salt or drizzle honey on top.
5. Seal & Store:
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Close the box tightly. Refrigerate until ready to eat. Almond butter may firm when chilled but softens at room temperature.
Notes
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Keep fruit completely dry to prevent sogginess.
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Stir almond butter well before using; store upside down in fridge if it separates.
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Swap proteins freely: grilled chicken, quinoa, lentils, meatballs, tuna or chicken salad.
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Slightly older eggs peel easier; ice bath helps shells slide off.