It’s a little-known fact that there are licences and regulations for magic, all over the world. And not all of them operate as smoothly as the Ministry of Magic! Out here in the mountains, the Magic Bureau is so small and understaffed, that if it’s time for your annual renewal, you have to bring a lunch!

Imagine a DMV line that lasts for hours, then at the end of that line is an appointment with a dental hygienist who treats you like you just left your dirty underwear in the middle of their dinner party. That would still be a delight of a day compared to this! Forms must be filled out in triplicate at multiple stations. It’s the same information, but they all want you to fill it out again, but properly this time! Make one mistake on one form- say, accidentally change your alignment from grey to white- and it’s the back of the line for you!

It always feels like a huge waste of time while you’re doing it, and the offices are all unairconditioned sweat boxes. Add just one swamp wizard, and the whole place smells like Intro to Necromancy all over again. Every year, though, I block off an entire day to get the process done (no online renewals…yet!) because unlicensed wizards scare the spell out of me. Plus, if you pack a good enough lunch, you’ll be able to look forward to it all morning, and think fondly back on it all afternoon!

This particular conjuration is a great way to spice up an otherwise incredibly boring day. It feels like a lot of moving parts, but most of them are low-involvement. Start the rice, set the veggies to roast, make the beans, then prep the toppings. This can go from ingredients to meals in the time it takes to make the rice.

Roasted Sweet Potato Rito Bowls (+5 health, +5 stamina, +4 mana)

Ingredients
Roasted filling:

• 2-3 sweet potatoes, diced small
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2-3 stalks celery, chopped (Or chopped onion!)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon cayenne
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• black pepper, to taste
• Braggs (to add liquid if needed)

Beans:

• 3 cups cooked black beans (2 cans)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• salsa to taste (~2-3 Tablespoons)

Prepared in your favorite way (or following package instructions):

• 2c brown rice or other grain (aim for 4 cups cooked!)

Additional Toppings

• Nutritional yeast (or cheese, if you prefer!)
• Diced tomatoes
• avocado/guacamole
• Salsa

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. prepare rice in preferred method (rice cooker, stove top, etc)
3. combine “Roasted” ingredients, place in large, greased casserole dish, and roast for 30 minutes.
4. When roasting ingredients and rice are about 15 minutes to done, heat up a skillet over medium heat. Add “sauteed” ingredients and stir, heating through. Reduce heat and keep warm until serving.
5. assemble bowls! Start with rice/grain, add roasted veggies, a scoop of the bean mix, then the salsa, tomatoes, avocado slices, nutritional yeast…. 

**Once you’re done with dinner, pack up any leftovers- these reheat REALLY well and make for the perfect packed lunch!