A Lila lunch recipe

Caribbean Mango & Black Bean Power Bowl

This vibrant bowl pairs fiber-rich black beans with sweet mango and crunchy pumpkin seeds. Hemp hearts round out the plant protein profile for a deeply satisfying, plant-based lunch.

Prep

15 min

Cook

15 min

Total

30 min

Makes

2 servings

Caribbean Mango & Black Bean Power Bowl, prepared as a finished Lila recipe
29g protein17g fiber30 MinutePlant Based

The feel-good payoff

Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause

Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.

Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s Health

Digestive comfort

A portion that works for you

Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.

Notice: comfort + portion

Steadier energy

Feel fueled, not flattened

A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.

Notice: energy 1–3 hours later

Comfortably satisfied

Fullness that has staying power

This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.

Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later

More staying power

Make the next few hours easier

This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.

Notice: energy + fullness later

Setup

Get set up

Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.

Start cooking

Prep

15 min

Cook

15 min

Total

30 min

How many are you cooking for?

The ingredient amounts update automatically.

2 servings

Equipment

Large skillet · Colander · Mixing bowl

Time saver

Meal prep friendly: This salad actually tastes better on day two as the mango and seasonings marinate the quinoa. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Do these three things first

  • 1Prep ripe mango (diced), red bell pepper (diced)
  • 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
  • 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan

Ingredients

Gather as you go

0 of 12 ready

Ingredients

From Your Pantry

Cook along

Instructions

0 of 5 steps complete

Next: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a fine…

  1. 01

    Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a fine…

    Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a fine mesh sieve. Boil 1 cup of water, add the quinoa, lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

    Look for: the water is absorbed

    Tap card to mark done
  2. 02

    Pour the black beans into a colander…

    Pour the black beans into a colander and rinse them very well under cold water.

    Tap card to mark done
  3. 03

    Toast the pumpkin seeds for 2 to…

    In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pumpkin seeds for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing frequently until they are fragrant and begin to pop.

    Look for: they are fragrant and begin to pop

    Tap card to mark done
  4. 04

    Combine the cooked quinoa

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, rinsed black beans, diced mango, red bell pepper, minced jalapeno, toasted pumpkin seeds, and hemp hearts.

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  5. 05

    Drizzle the salad with extra virgin olive…

    Drizzle the salad with extra virgin olive oil and a generous splash of apple cider vinegar. Season with ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper, tossing well to combine all the flavors. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top if desired.

    Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy

    Tap card to mark done

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