In honor of The Feed South Africa Campaign, I made you lunch 🙂

A quick and simple lunch with beans (x3), kale, and roasted red peppers. It’s the perfect meatless mid-day meal to keep you full and happy till dinner!

But first! Let’s talk a little more about this campaign. It is important, friends.

In a world where 1 in 7 people go to bed hungry (and not because they’re on a diet!), I consider us very lucky to live in a household where consuming healthy meals 3 times a day is never a question. Never a thought. Never a hope. It is simply our way of life. We are fortunate and blessed. We know it.

But what about those who aren’t so fortunate? What about the people – the men, women, and children – who don’t have the luxury of good meals. Who most of the time don’t even know if there will be a meal. Can you imagine…? I can’t.

But I can help! We can help. Today I’m asking you, my dear friends, to help. Today I’m asking you to join me in this battle against hunger. I’m asking you – and counting on your generosity – to match my $10.00 donation to the lunchbox fund, so that we can raise enough to feed 100 hungry children lunch everyday for a YEAR. Just 10 bucks can do that! It’s your chance to feed a child; nourish a mind. It’s your chance to swap your afternoon coffee or afterwork beer in place of a simple donation that will make all the difference in a child’s life and education. I know all of our financial situations are different – I came from a single parent home who relied on the kindness of others many times – but please think of what you do have, and not of what you don’t. Please give what you can.

I truly hope you’ll consider joining me, and the nearly 100 other food bloggers, taking part in this outreach. Together we really can make a difference in these kids lives!

*This incredible effort of love and generosity has been organized by The Giving Table, founded by Nicole of Eat This Poem. She has an amazing heart and vision!

Now for a little about the recipe. Todays theme for the campaign was lunch, and since I pack us lunch pretty much everyday, I was excited to think up a new recipe to share! Also, considering the cause I’ve been talking about today, I wanted to develop a recipe that could last (us) 2-3 days and was low on costs.

I automatically knew beans would be involved because they’re a cheap (and delicious!) way to make a meal really stick to your bones. Once I decided on a bean salad, I started thinking about how I could make it just a little healthier.

Solution: KALE! And roasted red peppers! They go great together (have you tried this SUPER cheesy kale and roasted red pepper pasta bake?), and pack a wonderful nutritional punch without taking anything away from the taste. WIN!

This bean salad also stays good in the fridge for up to 3 days! The beans and kale just get better and better as they soak in the simple dressing, and I love that if I make this on a Sunday night we have lunch straight through Wednesday. It makes like a lot easier!

Happy Monday, friends! xo