For many, the month of January is an easy checkpoint to stop and re-focus our eating habits after the holidays. Is that a bad thing? I don’t think so.
Even when extra conscious of maintaining healthy living over the holidays, a reboot/refresh feels good in the weeks following. I’m usually sick of sweets and crave vegetables more than ever.
This year, rather than focusing on what I shouldn’t eat – like, for example, trying to avoid cards and/or sugar, I want to shift my attention to what I SHOULD be eating. How can I get one more serving of veggies into my day? Did I eat at least one piece of fruit?
More than any other time of the year my husband and I find ourselves eating at home the majority of the time in the first couple of months of the year. If fact, last year, I recall eating at home EVERY meal in January.
I think it was more about the challenge than anything, but we did, and it was great! In doing so, I discovered some of the recipes I’m about to share with you today.
I wouldn’t call myself a recipe creator but more of a recipe “scouter” and “critic.” Ha! I love trying lots of recipes and really work to find good ones that I can then confidently share with others.
There are 30 recipes linked below grouped into 5 categories: breakfast, soup, mains & sides, salads, sweets & snacks.
Since we all know the term “healthy” can mean different things for different people, just know that most of these recipes lean toward lots of vegetables and lower in carbohydrates.
Breakfast
Gluten-Free High Protein Breakfast Pancake from Fannetastic Food
I like to macerate frozen berries in a small saucepan and pour the warm liquid fruit on top.
Baked Eggs with Salsa Verde from Food Network
Save yourself time and a store-bought salsa verde.
I found when I left them in for 10 minutes the eggs were completely set, so start checking them at 5-8 minutes.
Healthy Banana Bread Granola Muffins from Baker By Nature
Special K Flatbread Breakfast Sandwich
I rarely buy pre-made foods but I recently saw a recommendation for frozen breakfast sandwiches and we ended up really enjoying these.
For a breakfast sandwich, 220 calories is pretty good.
Banana Split Smoothie
I’m really picky about smoothies. This one is my favorite by far, to the point I literally crave it. The recipe is from a devotional book I read last year called Love and Care for the One and Only You. Throw in a handful of spinach for an extra boost.
- 6 to 9 oz vanilla unsweetened or plain almond milk
- 1 to 2 ice cubes
- 1/2 banana
- 3 large frozen strawberries
- 1 T. almond butter
- 1/2 serving chocolate protein powder
- 1/2 serving vanilla protein powder
Soup
Get your Collard Greens on with this Pot Likker Soup from Add a Pinch
Pork and Napa Cabbage Soup from Nom Nom Paleo
Turkey, Kale, and Brown Rice Soup by Giada de Laurentiis
Kale is one green I have trouble with but it’s such a great super food I was thrilled to find this amazing and delicious recipe.
The flavor in this soup is seriously lip-smackin’ good!
Mains and Sides
Pork Chops with Braised Cabbage from Simply Recipes
Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots, Potatoes, and Thyme from Williams Sonoma
Paprika Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa from What’s Gabby Cooking
Turkey Robinson from Claire Robinson
Super tasty served with brown rice that’s been cooked in chicken stock.
Asian Ground Beef, Mushroom, and Broccoli Slaw Lettuce Cups from Nom Nom Paleo
Noodles with Pork, Shiitakes, and Green Onions from Williams Sonoma
Sausage, Potato, and Cabbage Skillet from Homesick Texan
The recipe calls for Kielbasa sausage but I find it too fatty. I just use basic Eckrich Skinless Smoked Sausage. I love cooked cabbage so this one is a big winner for me.
Spanish Green Beans from Pioneer Woman
Southern-Style Collard Greens from Simply Recipes
Peas and Pancetta from What’s Gabby Cooking
Roasted Root Vegetable, Spinach, and Feta Salad by Jessica Burns
Salads
Guacamole Salad from Ina Garten
Serve solo or alongside steak, grilled chicken, or as a vegetarian filling or topping for a taco.
The same goes for this next recipe…
Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad with Chile Dressing from Food 52
Obsessively Good Avocado Cucumber Salad from Smitten Kitchen
To make it even healthier, substitute the 2 tablespoons of mayo for plain greek yogurt.
Cauliflower Slaw from Smitten Kitchen
Date, Feta, and Red Cabbage Salad from Smitten Kitchen
Charred Broccoli and Avocado Salad from Chocolate and Zucchini.
I did it without the herbs and it was still good.
Easy Fruit Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing from Damn Delicious
This fruit salad could be easily adapted using a variety of fruits. I didn’t use the mint because I’m not a huge mint person. I just used the juice of an orange rather than store orange juice.
Sweets and Snacks
Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies made with Chickpeas from The Lucky Penny
Surprisingly good.
The Best Soft Granola Bars by Pinch of Yum
Easy Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies from All Recipes
Can you tell I like peanut butter?
All Natural No-Bake Energy Bites
Another recipe from the devotional book I read last year called Love and Care for the One and Only You.
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/3 cup pure honey
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 tsp. instant espresso
- 1/2 cup organic dark chocolate, finely chopped
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined; place the bowl in the fridge for 30 minutes so the mixture is easy to handle.
Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Place balls in an air-tight container and store them in the fridge or freezer until ready to eat.
Did you find anything here you’re particularly excited to try?
Do you have any favorite healthy recipes? Share them in the comments!
