24 Wholesome Bowls to Power Your Day

Whenever you're hungry and have no clue what to eat, grab a bowl and take a look at your fridge. Grain bowls and smoothie bowls are a great way to transform a few odds-and-ends into a complete meal that's both delicious and nutritious. The beauty of the bowl is that there is really no official set of rules to follow (though, we do have a few suggestions for building a healthy grain bowl!). As long as you're choosing some sort of base—a blend of pureed fruits, a cooked grain or something else—then piling on the toppings, you're good to go. That said, a good grain bowl has a balance of crunchiness, creaminess and bold flavor. Exhibit A: This 5-star recipe.

You can easily make this dish from pantry staples and long-lasting freezer items, so it's an ideal back-up lunch or dinner on the days when you just can't make it to the store.

The difference between a smoothie and a smoothie bowl is that for the latter, you can pile on all the toppings — sliced bananas, fresh berries, shredded coconut, chia seeds, you name it.

The star of this dish is a tahini sauce that is slightly sweet, a bit nutty and 100% delicious. Try it drizzled all over a mix of cooked quinoa, sauteed squash, kale, pecans and cranberries. But, be warned: You will want to put it on everything from that moment on.