I like to think I’m a pretty good cook. When I’m feeling up to it, I can spend 2 hours in the kitchen preparing something super delicious, and love every minute of it. You can usually find me with a glass of wine when in the kitchen, and when I plate my finished product, I’m relaxed and extremely proud of my delicious creation.
I’m also a fairly healthy eater. I’ve found that if I stray away from making mostly healthy choices, it seriously affects my energy levels and just overall how I feel. So, after a few years of living away from home with my own kitchen, I’ve gathered a few delicious go-to healthy recipes that never fail me. Not only do I never get tired of them, they’ve become like second nature for me to prepare. I should mention that I’m a vegetarian, so if you’re a meat-eater, feel free to add in whatever protein source you like best to these recipes.
Salads
Not everyone is a salad lover, but I certainly am. There are so many different variations you can play with, and if you make them right, they’re incredibly filling. I’ve listed my favorite recipe down below, but feel free to play up the vegetables and protein you like.
Simple salad
- Chopped romaine
- Spinach leaves
- Chopped bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Cucumber
- Chickpeas
- Black beans
- Shredded carrots
- Avocado
If I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll even make my own salad dressing. It’s creamy and delicious, and it helps me skip the extra additives in packaged salad dressing from the store. Here’s my rough recipe:
Creamy tahini salad dressing
- Tahini
- Lemon juice
- Salt & pepper
- Apple cider vinegar
- Ginger (from squeeze tube)
- Garlic (from squeeze tube)
- Water to thin
Add all the ingredients together in a large mason jar (just eyeball it, and taste as you go) and shake until they’re all combined. Then, you can just throw the mason jar in the fridge and use the dressing for about a week. You guys, it’s delicious.
Spaghetti squash
This one takes a bit longer, but the effort required is slim to none. I like to sauté mushrooms and onions to put into my spaghetti sauce to make it “meaty”, plus I just love mushrooms. Learn how to cook a spaghetti squash here, then literally just combine the mushrooms and onions, red sauce, and spaghetti squash for a delicious, low-carb dish.
Cauliflower rice & veggies
I like to call this recipe “deconstructed sushi” because that’s totally what it tastes like. All you have to do is sauté your favorite veggies in some garlic and ginger (I like to include mushrooms, broccoli, onion, and peppers), heat up the cauliflower rice in the microwave, and add everything together with a little teriyaki sauce. Top it all off with an avocado, some green onions, edamame, and whatever else your heart desires. It’s so easy, and it’s absolutely delicious.
Pesto pasta
I love pesto. I love it. It’s such an easy way to add a ton of flavor to so many different dishes. Adding it to pasta creates just about the easiest meal ever. If I’m feeling super lazy, I’ll add the pesto and be done with it. But, if I feel like cooking a little more, I’ll add some veggies, pine nuts, and tomatoes for a little more flavor. So easy.
Veggie hummus wrap
Another delicious, super healthy go-to of mine – wraps! They’re so filling and I actually crave these all the time. All you have to do is smear some hummus over a wrap, and add basically the same ingredients as the salad from above. However, I drizzle a little balsamic vinaigrette over the top rather than my homemade dressing – and sometimes I’ll use a Thai peanut sauce if I’m in the mood.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard! Find a few recipes you love, and play up the ingredients each week. You’ll be surprised at how good you feel.
Do you have something on your mind beauty and lifestyle related? Ask me in the comments, and I’ll have an answer for you next week in my column! Don’t be shy, I’m up for the challenge.
Xoxo –
Lauren
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