Quick, Easy, Healthy Dinners!

Ah, yes, that busy time of year is here.  And just when you think you are getting in the groove, something comes along and changes your course.

C'est la vie!

But that is GOOD.  That's what makes life interesting, fun, and I say - bring on the challenge!

One of the many things my 9 month old son has taught me (and I know I have MUCH more learning still to do!!), is that with a little creative thinking and planning ahead, I can still live up to a healthy lifestyle.

I've learned that I don't need to lower my expectations, I just need to make them more realistic.

So...I have been experimenting with quick, easy, healthy dinners that mkae plenty of leftovers to have for lunches.  Here is a list of some of my famliy's favorites:

• Enchilada Casserole:  Our favorite way to eliminate the tortillas is to serve over quinoa or polenta.
• Asian Turkey Burgers:  These are SO easy, and the taste is unreal for so few ingredients.  Also, they freeze really well!
• Best Ever Quinoa Chili:  So good, you won't realize there isn't any meat.  Gets more delicious each day.  I served this with a pear, arugula, walnut, and fennel salad.  YUM!
• Lentil Vegetable Soup:  DELICIOUS!  I could eat this for every meal!
• Hearty White Bean Vegetable Soup:  So good.  And 2 day later, I added more veggies and some healthy tomato sauce, and served over quinoa pasta for a delicious and quick pasta primavera.
• Vegan Apple Cider Donuts:  These TOTALLY cured my apple cider donut craving.  I used a muffin pan, and I added one diced apple.  Delicious!
• Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies:  YUM!  Healthy enough to eat for breakfast!

Planning is key.  Organizing your week ahead of time helps immensely.  Try my menu planner with grocery list.  It really helps!

If you get home late from work without a healthy dinner planned, it is SO easy to talk yourself into unhealthy takeout, or other unhealthy options.  Keep your freezer stocked with healthy, quick options for those last minute dinners.  I love Amy's Veggie Burgers, or try this grain and vegetable mix from Trader Joe's.

I add any leftover veggies and grains that I have, with vegetable broth, dried herbs and spices, then top with an egg.  Takes 10 minutes!

And, yes, don't forget about exercise!  Anywhere you can.  Whenever you can. Take the stairs.  Do an extra lap at the mall.  Our goal is 10,000 steps per day. Or just aim for 20-30 minutes most days of the week.  Anything is better than nothing.

"Fitness is not about being better than someone else, it's about being better than you use to be"

Bon Appetit!
​
Jennifer