When our lives are busy and we fall into the routine of shopping for the same foods, our meals can feel repetitive and a bit dull! It’s also common to fall into a “meal rut” when it becomes increasingly difficult to come up with new ideas for foods to cook.
Whether you’re cooking for just yourself or for your family, mealtime can be stressful for a bunch of different reasons! That’s why we’ve compiled some ideas to make food shopping and preparation a little easier. Below, you’ll find some healthy foods with a delicious variety to refresh your mealtime routine – let’s get cooking!
Recipes to Refresh Your Plate
Breakfast – Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole oats
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup shredded coconut
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8-inch square pan.
- Combine whole oats, oat flour, brown sugar, salt and baking soda together in a bowl. Stir in almond milk, eggs, butter and vanilla extract until well combined. Fold in blueberries and walnuts. Spread mixture into prepared square pan. Top with coconut.
- Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden and coconut is brown – about 35 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
Source: www.allrecipes.com
Lunch – Avocado Egg White Salad Sandwich
Ingredients:
- One 100-calorie flat sandwich bun or 2 slices light bread
- 1 1/2 oz. (about 3 tbsp). mashed avocado
- 2 tbsp. plain fat-free Greek yogurt
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
- 5 hard-boiled egg whites, chopped
- 1 tbsp. real crumbled bacon
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped red onion
Directions:
- Lightly toast bun halves or bread slices. Once cool, place in sealable bag or wrap in foil.
- In a medium bowl, combine avocado, yogurt and seasonings. Mix until smooth and uniform. Gently stir in chopped egg whites, bacon and onion. Place in a sealable container and pack with an ice pack.
- Just before eating, divide egg white salad between the toasted sandwich bun halves/bread slices, and enjoy open-faced.
Source: www.hungrygirl.com
Dinner – Stuffed Pepper Soup with Quinoa
Ingredients:
- 2 large green bell peppers, cut into 1/2 inch dice
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1 and 1/4 lb. ground sirloin or round – use lean to there is very little fat to drain
- One 28 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
- One 16 oz. can tomato sauce
- One 32 oz. carton beef stock
- 1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp. soy sauce
- 2 tsp. Truvia Brown Sugar replacement – or 4 teaspoons Splenda
- Sea salt and fresh pepper to taste
- 2 cup cooked quinoa, optional
Directions:
- In a large, heavy pot, saute the peppers, onions and garlic in the olive oil until they are very soft and lightly golden at the edges.
- Add the beef and cook until browned, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef stock, marjoram, Worcestershire, soy sauce and sugar replacement.
- Add 1-teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and add more to taste. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until peppers are very soft and soup has thickened.
- This soup is better the next day as with most soups or stews. Serve in shallow bowls with a scoop of cooked quinoa.
Source: www.bariatriceating.com
Want More Recipes to Help You Stay on Track?
For a complete list of additional healthy recipes you’re sure to enjoy, you can read the full article from Your Weight Matters Magazine by CLICKING HERE.
Do you have any healthy and delicious recipes you think others would love, too? We want to hear them! Share with us in the comments below or send an email to mstep@obesityaction.org.
