Healthy Recipes for the New Year

Looking to get healthier now that the holidays are behind us? Check out my favorite go-to healthy recipes, plus some new ones that are on my list to try!

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed every second! In order to ease myself back into the swing of things, I’m sharing a healthy recipe roundup. It’s that time of year when we all want to detox from the holidays and take on some healthier habits, so I’m here to help you with that. 

Below you’ll find some of my favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks too! A few are go-to favorites that I’ve shared and the rest are recipes on my list to try. I hope you find a few new recipes to try and I’ll be back on Friday with a new healthy recipe!

Breakfast

It’s the most important meal of the day, folks. If you’re looking to make positive changes to your eating habits, breakfast is the perfect place to start. A healthy, well-balanced breakfast is imperative to set up your days for success. Think about it… when you eat nothing in the morning how do you feel? Probably ravenous by noon. When you eat sugary foods, how do you feel? Again, probably ravenous by noon and sluggish. 

So, what should eat for breakfast? Glad you asked! Your breakfast should always include a balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Avocado toast topped with a fried egg is the perfect example. I can’t stress this balance enough – the protein and fat provide satiety and the carbs give you a boost to get through the morning. 

These recipes include some of my personal favorites, plus a few new ones that I can’t wait to try!

• Quinoa Crusted Quiche: A lightened up version of a classic brunch item! This quinoa crusted quiche is the perfect make-ahead item for a weekday breakfast. Not only can you make it completely ahead, but one slice will keep you full all morning long. Plus, you can get creative with the filling!
• Spiralized Potato Breakfast Pizza: A fun way to eat healthy is with this delicious spiralized potato breakfast pizza! It’s simple to make and can be made ahead of time, which again makes it great for busy mornings. This option is compliant with Whole30 and can be made Paleo by using sweet potatoes instead of white! And, if your vegan, try a tofu scramble for topping in place of the eggs. 
• Sweet Potato Noodle Breakfast Bowls: No healthy roundup of mine would be complete without this tasty breakfast! Make this one vegan by making a tofu scramble in place of the eggs!
• Paleo Breakfast Casserole {Whole30} (Courtesy of Paleo Running Mama): You can never go wrong with a breakfast casserole. Especially when it’s Paleo and Whole30 compliant!
• Quick Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal (Courtesy of Five Heart Home): Want an alternative to eggs? Try this peanut butter banana oatmeal! I know I can’t wait to try this one.  

Lunch

This midday meal is one that can often be forgotten. I know when I’m busy I often forget to eat, but with recipes this good I think that’s going to change!

• The Most Boss Salad of All Time (Courtesy of The Garlic Diaries): Asparagus, cucumber, arugula, and feta cheese tossed with a lemon vinaigrette = the most boss salad of all time. I can’t wait to try this one!
• Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato Noodle Bowls (Courtesy of No Spoon Necessary): Does it get much better than these tasty bowls? Seriously, who wouldn’t want to eat this for lunch?! Not only do you have veggies, but bacon, pecans, and a scrumptious looking dijon-maple vinaigrette. 
• Roasted Beet Potato Holiday Salad (Courtesy of My Ginger Garlic Kitchen):A salad that’s not just for the holidays! I’m obsessed with beets, so added to potato sounds just amazing. I can’t wait to try this one – a perfect lunch on some lettuce or toasted bread.
• Spicy Thai Chicken Zoodle Soup: A super flavorful zoodle bowl filled with chicken and veggies! This spicy Thai chicken zoodle soup is a tasty way to eat healthy! Gluten-free, Paleo, and Whole30 compliant!
• Grilled Salmon Cobb Salad: A tasty grilled salmon cobb salad that is full of grilled zucchini, bacon, tomatoes, eggs, and arugula for a spicy bite. Top it off with an easy ranch dressing for the perfect filling lunch. 

Dinner

Make things easy on yourself by planning your meals ahead! I can’t stress this enough. Not only does it help during busy nights, but you’re more likely to stick to eating healthy if you have a solid plan! Once you have your meals planned for the week, try doing some meal prep. Anything that you can do ahead will certainly set you up for success all week long. These recipes contain a few of my favorite quick and easy recipes, as well as a few that are on my list to try!

• One Pan Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs and Quinoa: One pan meals make the best weeknight meals. Not only is it simple and tasty, but you only have one pan to wash!
• Thai Yellow Curry Turkey Meatballs: These Thai yellow curry turkey meatballs are broiled until golden and smothered in curry sauce and vegetables. Serve over cauliflower rice for a tasty Paleo or Whole30 meal.
• Pork Chops with Chunky Red Pepper Sauce (Courtesy of Tastes Lovely): Don’t forget about pork chops! Seriously, they are lean, cheap, and quick cooking. Paired with this chunky red pepper sauce and some veggies on the side, you have a great healthy meal. (It’s Paleo and Whole30, too!)
•  Zucchini Pad Thai (Courtesy of Little Bits Of): If you love Pad Thai, but are doing a Whole30 or eat Paleo, this recipe is for you! It’s so simple, but combines such delicious flavors. I can’t wait to give this one a try!
• Cauliflower Fried Rice (Courtesy of Downshiftology): A quick and easy vegetarian meal that is also Whole30 and Paleo! Add your favorite protein to make it even heartier! 

Snacks

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t survive the day without snacks. Now, when I say snacks I mean small portions. Not an entire bowl of popcorn… which I’ve been known to eat. Basic snacks would include a handful of veggies with tablespoon or two of hummus or guacamole, an apple with a tablespoon or two of almond butter, fruit and an ounce of cheese, etc. 

If you’re looking to step up your snack game, give these recipes a try! 

• Granola (Courtesy of Beer Girl Cooks): We all need a go-to granola recipe, right? Sure, you could buy it, but have you ever check the ingredient list? Make a batch of this homemade granola on the weekend and enjoy as a snack on it’s own, mixed into greek yogurt, or sprinkle it over some fruit! If you’re gluten-free, be sure you use certified gluten-free oats!
• Blueberry Almond Butter Energy Bites (Courtesy of Pumpkin ‘N Spice): Make-ahead snacks are a must for healthy eating success! These energy bites fit the bill… plus provide a good balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats!
• Lemon Parmesan Crispy Chickpeas and Kale Chips: Who knew eating your vegetables could be so tasty? These lemon parmesan crispy chickpeas and kale chips have the perfect amount of crunch and saltiness.
• Creamy Cauliflower Hummus (Courtesy of Living Loving Paleo): Paleo/Whole30 hummus? Yes please! This tasty snack is made with cauliflower.. yum!
• Cinnamon Apple Chips (Courtesy of Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen): Easy baked apple chips flavored with cinnamon. I bet these would be super delish with some almond butter for dipping! Doubles as a healthy dessert, too!
  

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