20+ Lunch Meal Prep Ideas To Make Before The Week Starts

Copycat Starbucks Bacon & Gruyere Sous Vide Egg Bites

Babe, wake up! We have Starbucks at home! This egg bites recipe is super quick to prep for the week, plus you can easily customize the fillings based on what you're craving week-by-week. (via Brit + Co)

Baked French Toast

This baked breakfast recipe simplifies the process of making French toast, though each slice still turns out so sweet and tender. Top your dish with seasonal berries, and voila! Breakfast is served. (via Jessica Smith for Brit + Co)

Blood Orange Smoothie

This blood orange smoothie is a great easy spring breakfast to take on the go. Packed with plenty of vitamin C, you'll be feelin' powerful as ever after sipping it! (via Patricia Conte for Brit + Co)

Feta Fried Eggs

Bulked up with feta cheese and seasonings, these fried eggs are not your ordinary fried eggs. Frying them with the 'extras' lets 'em get super crispy and ready for the eating! (via Grace Elkus for Brit + Co)

Key Lime-Avocado-Mango Toast

A little sweet and a little savory, this avocado toast topped with mango slices will surely become your new breakfast addiction this spring. It's super easy to make and will be devoured in no time. (via Samantha Cassettyfor Brit + Co)

Strawberry Chia Oatmeal Cookies

With oats and chia seeds, these healthy breakfast "cookies" can be batched out in large amounts and stored in the fridge or freezer for subsequent breakfasts and mid-day snacking sessions. Easy peasy, we tell ya! (via Live Eat Learn for Brit + Co)

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

This customizable breakfast casserole is as easy as dump and cook... and then, chow down! (via The Girl on Bloor)

High Protein Overnight Oats

High protein eaters, you're gonna want to bookmark this one! These overnight oats come together, well, overnight, so you don't have to do much work to make 'em other than measure out the ingredients and stir together. Then, you can add different fruits to each serving depending on your mood! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Greek Yogurt Banana Muffins

Packed with more protein, these banana muffins are prepped using Greek yogurt for that extra oomph. The chocolate chips are absolutely necessary here, BTW. (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart with Eggs & Feta

Ooh, bougie! This breakfast may look fancy, but it's actually pretty easy to make, thanks to the help of some pre-made puff pastry. Load it up with asparagus, eggs, and feta, and you've got a very spring-ready breakfast to enjoy! (via Forks & Foliage)

Peach Baked Oatmeal

Peaches are the ultimate spring fruit, and if you haven't tried them in oatmeal quite yet, here's your perfect excuse! (via A Virtual Vegan)

Zucchini Tomato Frittata

Frittatas are great spring breakfasts to make because you can easily make a big serving and save the leftovers for the entire week. This one's packed with zucchini and tomatoes, but you can definitely swap those out for any veggies or proteins you're feelin'. (via The Endless Meal)

Mango Smoothie with Green Tea

Boosted with some caffeine from green tea, this fresh and energizing mango smoothie is so quick to blend in the AM. (via A Spicy Perspective)

1. Cucumbers

I have never left cucumbers outside the fridge, but it turns out that this can cause them to become too watery. Instead, find an airtight containerand store them in your pantry or countertop. Then toss them in this colorful Greek Salad!

2. Bell Peppers

Stashing bell peppers in the fridge can actually make them lose their crunch (who knew?). For peak crispness, keep them at room temperature and enjoy within one to two days. If you're not planning to eat them that quickly, pop them in the fridge to help prevent them from going soft too soon.

3. Basil

Store your basil as you would a fresh bouquet of flowers, in a jar with water. Cold temps can cause basil leaves to turn black, so it’s better off out of the fridge.

4. Butter (And Peanut Butter!)

According to the USDA, butter is best used within a day or two at room temperature to preserve its flavor. When I lived in San Francisco, I could leave it out on the counter year-round without worrying about it melting. Now that I’m in a hotter climate, I keep it out most of the year — just not during the peak of summer. Peanut butter also does well at room temperature, staying smooth and spreadable for up to three months (after which you'll need to refrigerate it).

5. Tomatoes

I grew tomatoes in my garden for the first time last year, and nothing beats the taste of one plucked straight from the vine. To keep that juicy , sun-ripened flavor going, store your tomatoes at room temperature on the counter — not in the fridge. Cold temps can dull their flavor and texture. Try making a simple Tomato Confit recipe to drizzle over bread or pasta, yum!

6. Avocados

A friend and I were debating whether avocados belong in the fridge — turns out, they don’t. At least, not until they’re ripe. I eat one almost every day, so I go through them fast, but once they ripen, I pop them in the fridge to slow down the over-ripening. If you’re craving Avocado Toast, stash them in a paper bag to speed things up, or just let them ripen naturally in an open container on the counter.

7. Fresh Bread

If you want to get the most flavor (and life) out of your fresh bread, skip the fridge. Refrigeration actually speeds up staling. Instead, store it in a bread box or basket — somewhere that blocks light but still lets it breathe. Planning to eat it the same day? Leaving it uncovered at room temperature works just fine. Otherwise, a paper bag or the freezer are your best options.

8. Potatoes (Sweet or Otherwise)

I like to keep my potatoes and onions tucked away in the pantry where it’s cool and dark. Storing them in a paper bag at room temperature helps preserve their texture and flavor. The fridge might seem like a good idea, but it can actually do more harm than good — the moisture makes potatoes overly sweet and kind of gritty, and the humidity can cause them to mold more quickly.

9. Onions & Garlic

Onions, shallots, and garlic can become moldy when exposed to the high humidity of the refrigerator. Store them in a relatively cool, dry place in your pantry or a cabinet that’s not exposed to light. Your onions will remain fresh and ready to use whenever you need them for recipes like this Spring Veggie Galette that I make every year!

When did the 2025 World Happiness Report come out?

The 2025 World Happiness Report was aptly released on March 20, the International Day of Happiness!

What does the World Happiness Report measure?

Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, the report is based on data from the Gallup World Poll, which surveys individuals in over 140 countries. It ranks nations by happiness using the average life evaluations over the past three years, specifically from 2022 to 2024.

Participants in the survey rate their overall life satisfaction, and these self-assessments determine the rankings. To better understand the factors influencing happiness, the report examines six key indicators: GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, generosity, personal freedom, and perceptions of corruption.

What rank is USA in World Happiness Report?

This year, the United States isn't faring so well. This year, our nation dropped to its lowest ranking ever: number 24.

According to Illana Ron-Levey, Gallup's managing director, some of the United States' decline in happiness was "at least partly attributable to Americans younger than age 30 feeling worse about their lives."

Why would some people be less happy in 2025?

"Today's young people report feeling less supported by friends and family, less free to make life choices, and less optimistic about their living standards," she added.

The good news is that the research shows people are generally kinder than we assume, and recognizing this could boost our happiness and transform how we perceive those around us.

Moreover, there are plenty of extremely happy countries that make desirable travel destinations. Here are some that topped the list in satisfaction.

2025's Happiest Countries In The World

It may not come as a shock that Finland has taken first place for the eighth year in a row. The nation boasts many beneficial policies and initiatives, such as universal health care, as well as a strong social support and education infrastructure. It also has a very low crime rate.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, too, from soaking up the northern lights under the Arctic sky to hiking in one of Finland's 41 national parks, seeing breathtaking architecture, experiencing Midsummer, a celebration of the summer solstice, and, of course, trying Finnish food.

The runners-up to Finland include Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden in second, third, and fourth place, respectively. Just like Finland, these three countries held onto their global happiness ranking from 2024.

Those hoping to visit Denmark can explore its capital city, Copenhagen, which is rich in museums and other cultural experiences, learn about the fascinating history of Vikings, and dine at Michelin award-winning restaurants.

Over in Iceland, experience unbelievable 24-hour daylight from mid-May to late July, go whale watching, take a diving tour or guided snorkeling trip at Thingvellir National Park, traverse glaciers, relax in geothermal spas, and walk along beautiful black sand beaches.

Finally, in Sweden, there are various vibrant cities to check out, like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Pop fans must visit the ABBA museum, while culinary connoisseurs need to try authentic Swedish meatballs, and nature lovers can take in all the natural beauty that Sweden is renowned for.

Aside from the Nordic countries, which are dominating the globe in terms of happiness, two Latin American countries also made it into the top 10 for the very first time. Costa Rica ranked at number six, and Mexico at number 10.

If you travel to Costa Rica, you can embark on all kinds of adventures, from hiking and zip-lining to surfing and river rafting.

Or, in Mexico, see the archaeological site Chichen Itza, take a delicious food tour, and sit back on the sand of some stunning beaches.

What's the full list of the happiest countries in the world for 2025?

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Iceland
4. Sweden
5. Netherlands
6. Costa Rica
7. Norway
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Mexico
11. Australia
12. New Zealand
13. Switzerland
14. Belgium
15. Ireland
16. Lithuania
17. Austria
18. Canada
19. Slovenia
20. Czechia
21. United Arab Emirates
22. Germany
23. United Kingdom
24. United States
25. Belize