After the holiday dessert extravaganza that happened last month, it’s easy to forget that I’ve got healthy recipes here on Kitchen Konfidence. But I’ve got them. A lot of them actually :)! So today, I’m going to share 20 of my favorites along with some healthy eating tips.
I’m definitely in a diet transition phase right now as I finish up sweet treats from the Holiday season, and make room for healthy meal prep, morning juice and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. I’ve never been one to change my diet cold turkey. I need to gradually build up my healthy habits and routines until I eventually hit a full stride. Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that really help me get back in balance:
- Don’t skip breakfast. I used to hurry out the door in the morning fueled only by a cup or two of coffee. I would get ravenously hungry by mid morning, resulting in a mindless fast food fix. I always have a healthy breakfast now, and I feel so much better throughout the day. I keep a stock of homemade cereal available if I’m not in the mood to cook breakfast.
- Be prepared! Make healthy snacks and meals over the weekend that can be enjoyed throughout the week when time and energy are usually short. Also, don’t feel the need to make all your healthy food from scratch. Stock up on store-bought items that can curb between-meal cravings, like nuts, pickles, low-sodium turkey breast, almond butter and salad greens.
- Don’t be afraid of eating a little red meat, pork, butter, egg yolk or other natural fat. These items are good for you in moderation, because they help satiate your appetite.
- Go ahead and enjoy a cheat meal from time-to-time. Just try to make up for it on another day.
- Use the best ingredients possible, and cut out processed food.
- Limit sugar intake. I can’t quit sugar completely. Nor do I want to. But I do like to keep sugar consumption down when possible. I’ve got a big dark chocolate bar in my pantry, and I’ll enjoy a square each day when I start craving sugar.
Below, you’ll find a series of healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes that will surely help kick-start some healthy eating in the New Year. Each of the recipes below is also packed with flavor, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out! Continue reading for the roundup.
Breakfast
Spiced Apple and Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl
Butternut Squash, Sausage and Parsnip Hash
Lunch
Grilled Lemon Chicken Salad with Basil Dressing
Arugula Salad with Hummus, Oranges and Roasted Beets
Hard-Boiled Egg Toast with Harissa Butter
Kale Salad with Miso-Lemon Vinaigrette
White Bean, Fennel and Chorizo Salad in a Jar
Dinner
Slow Cooker Pork and Black Bean Stew
The Ultimate Mediterranean Turkey Burger
Pan-Seared Chicken with Harissa Chickpeas
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
Awesome suggestions, Brandon! The thing I need to be better about is making things in batches. I’ll often do a big salad (quinoa or rice) and now with the cold weather I’ve been making a ton of soups.
Great tips! Happy happy new year!
Kaitie says
That spinach scramble and those avocado toasts look amazing… and mouth watering… and make me want to eat! Great post and beautiful photos.
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
The next 20 days will be so easy to eat healthy now! YUMMY!
valentina says
These are my kind of recipes. Healthy, hearty & delicious! Seriously, I want to jump into each one!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
Some excellent healthy recipes here, I love the Grilled Lemon Chicken Salad with Basil Dressing! Will have to make this.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
LOVE this! So many amazing recipes, and your photos are all just gorgeous. Love the look of that gorgeous avocado toast!