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5 Herbs to Grow Now, 20 Meals to Make Later

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Everything in Jars

Over the past several years, we’ve seen mason jars pop up everywhere. There’s no end to their usefulness – from wedding centerpieces to bathroom storage to lanterns.

But even better: They make portable, portion-control meals a cinch. Both practical and visually appealing (who knew salads looked even more appetizing stacked?), and perfect for any meal, mason jars are the new “it” item on the food scene. Trust us, it’s a thing. So why have these 12 oz. glass containers become so popular?

They’re portable (and with a screw-on top, they’re also leak free).
They prevent sogginess (dressing on the bottom is the key to the mason jar salad equation).
They’re cute (and cute food always tastes better, right?).

Ready to get started? Here are a few of our favorite recipes for mason jars:

Breakfast

Excellent for an on-the-go breakfast and fancy enough to be served at brunch, you’ll love this Make-Ahead Fruit and Yogurt Breakfast Parfait.
Want to try something different for breakfast? Almond Milk and Honey Porridge with quinoa is sure to become a staple.
Overnight oats are all the rage, and it’s no wonder. Prepped in minutes, the oats soak up the liquid, leaving you with an easy and healthy breakfast to start your day! You can’t go wrong with Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats from Quaker Oats.

Lunch/Dinner

Skip the tortilla and layer fresh ingredients for a healthier burrito like this Steak Burrito “Minus the Tortilla” Jar.
Loving the idea of an easy, less messy burrito? With seven layers of health benefits, you can’t go wrong with a Superfood Burrito in a Jar.
With a bit of tomato sauce, finely crushed garlic and fresh basil, this Italian Style Quinoa Noodle Pot is a tasty meal. Simply add boiling water when you’re ready to eat!

Salads

This Chickpea, Farro and Greens Salad can be mixed and matched to suit your cravings.
Filled with sweet potatoes, quinoa, black beans and dried cranberries, this flavor-packed Roasted Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad With Mango Balsamic Vinaigrette is a flavorful and hearty meal for vegetarians.
You’ll never have a sad desk lunch again with these 18 creative Mason Jar Salads.

Snacks

You will love the taste of summer with these Freezer Mason Jar Smoothies – a satisfying afternoon treat, or a lean and easy breakfast!
You can’t go wrong with fruit, yogurt (we love Dannon’s Oikos Greek Yogurt!), and granola parfaits (like these Make Ahead Mini Parfaits). Mix it up with whatever fruit is in season, and try new flavors with various homemade granolas.