This vibrant Rainbow Buddha Bowl is a perfect ADHD-friendly lunch option because it's completely customizable and forgiving if you forget ingredients or want to swap them out. The beauty of buddha bowls lies in their flexibility - you can prep components ahead when you have the energy and motivation, then quickly assemble them later. Originally inspired by Buddhist monks who would carry bowls to collect small amounts of food from villagers, modern buddha bowls have evolved into nutritious, colorful meals that engage multiple senses and provide steady energy throughout the day.

Rainbow Buddha Bowl

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients:

- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 medium sweet potato, cubed
- 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
- 1 carrot, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- Salt and pepper to taste

Tahini Dressing:

- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Water to thin
- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse quinoa and cook according to package instructions (typically 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water).

2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss sweet potato cubes and chickpeas with olive oil, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

3. While quinoa and roasted items cook, prepare the dressing by whisking together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, and enough water to reach desired consistency. Season with salt.

4. Prepare remaining vegetables: shred cabbage, grate carrot, and slice avocado.

5. Assemble bowls: Start with a base of mixed greens, add quinoa, roasted sweet potato and chickpeas, then arrange remaining vegetables in sections. Drizzle with tahini dressing.

Tips for ADHD Cooking Success:

**Break the recipe into smaller tasks - prep veggies while quinoa cooks, make dressing while sweet potatoes roast
**Try different veggies each time to keep this meal from feeling stale or too repetitive
**Set multiple timers - one for quinoa and one for roasted items - to prevent forgetting about cooking items
**Store leftover components separately in clear containers at eye level in the fridge so you remember to eat them

Nutritional Information (per serving):

This colorful buddha bowl provides approximately:
Calories: 650
Protein: 18g
Fiber: 12g
Iron: 4mg
Vitamin A: 185% DV
Vitamin C: 45% DV
Calcium: 15% DV
Potassium: 820mg

The rainbow of colors in this buddha bowl not only makes it visually appealing but also ensures you're getting a wide range of nutrients to support brain and body function throughout your afternoon.