I remember it vividly.
Twenty years ago today, Steve Jobs gave that now-iconic Stanford commencement speech. You know the one—“Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” I’ve watched it at least a dozen times, and every time, I’m struck by how he distilled life, death, creativity, and ambition into just 15 minutes. I watched it again today.
But what’s lesser known is that Steve kept handwritten notes while preparing that speech. Some never made it to the final version. One scribble stood out to me then—and it still does now:
“Walk to work. 30 min × 2 = 1 hr/day. 5 days/week = 250 hrs/yr × 20 yrs = 5,000 hours = over a year of your life.”
Another:
“You are what you eat.”
- how many cows, chickens, milk, soda
And one more—more radical, more ancient:
“Fast one day a week (Jesus) 1 day per week”
These weren’t just thoughts. These were Steve’s operating instructions for life. Simplicity. Intention. Repetition. Clean food. Long walks. Spiritual pauses.
So today, in honor of his words and the quieter wisdom behind them, I’m sharing a recipe—part meal, part meditation.
Something you can pack for a mindful lunch. Or eat slowly after a long walk. Or make ahead and keep in the fridge for when the Zoom fatigue hits and your Slack is slacking you off the edge.
The Buddha Bowl That Jobs Might’ve Approved Of
This is a minimalist, no-nonsense vegetarian bowl packed with clean fuel: protein, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats. It’s also fast to assemble and easy to customize. If you can use a knife and a spoon, you can make this.
This power bowl fuels focus, steadies blood sugar, and keeps burnout at bay—without a crash. Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and clean plant protein, it’s the kind of meal that quietly does its job while you do yours.
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- 1/2 cup shredded raw carrots
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup roasted chickpeas
- A handful of purple cabbage, shredded
- A sprinkle of sesame seeds or walnuts
- Optional: spoonful of sauerkraut or kimchi. I prefer kimchi, the spicy kind.
Dressing :
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp maple syrup or date syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste, water to thin
To Assemble:
Layer like a circuit board—efficient, functional, beautiful. Drizzle the dressing. Sit down. Eat without multitasking. Breathe between bites.
Bonus: The Reality Distortion Cooler (Non-Alcoholic)
Steve was known for his “reality distortion field.” This drink honors that spirit—cool, clever, and caffeine-kissed.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cold-pressed green apple juice
- 1/4 cup cucumber juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- A pinch of matcha
- Sparkling water
- Mint leaves + apple slice for garnish
Muddle mint. Shake the juices with ice. Pour over the mint, top with sparkling water. It looks good, feels good, and won’t fry your focus.
A Note for My Fellow Professionals:
Make a little extra and pack it for work.
Have two spoonfuls before that meeting where everyone’s pretending they read the memo.
Let it power your next one-on-one, your inbox cleanout, or your afternoon slump.
As Jobs reminded us—habits are powerful things.
So maybe today, you don’t just read the speech.
You eat it.
