Quick, Easy, Healthy Recipes!

Now that we have spent the last few weeks talking about what to eat and not eat and different areas where you can start your health journey, let me give you some of my favorite quick and easy recipes for lunch and dinner!

But first… My favorite kitchen gadgets!

My favorite kitchen gadgets are the crock pot and my air fryer. If I were going to a remote island and could only bring one, it would be my crock pot.  The reason is I can spend 10 minutes prepping ingredients, throw it in the crock pot and let it cook all day.  It is just so simple and so nice to come home to a cooked meal.  The air fryer is easy but still requires time to actually prepare and cook the things.  I love them both though and thankfully, no remote islands for me!

Slow Cooker Recipes

First, chicken in the crock pot.  I share this one all the time because it is so versatile and SO easy.  Just take chicken breast and put them in the crock pot and cover with water.  Cook on high 4 hours or low for 6 or more.  When its done cooking, just shred and add seasoning of choice.  You can make this into a delicious chicken salad, buffalo chicken, BBQ chicken, chicken tacos - the sky is the limit.  I then use the chicken water to make chicken cubes for the dogs (they LOVE them!).  Alternatively, you can skip the water and just cover the chicken in salsa or salsa verde.  

I should probably warn you - I love soups and I especially love Chili.  Like LOVE.  So here are some chili recipes that are easy and quick.

White chicken chili!

https://therealfooddietitians.com/slow-cooker-white-chicken-chili/#tasty-recipes-9972

Easy beef chili! https://www.skinnytaste.com/quick-beef-chili-recipe/

Chicken taco chili: https://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-chicken-taco-chili-4-pts/

Growing up my mom used to make a chicken and rice soup.  This reminded me so much or her soup! Yummm! And it’s made in a slow cooker so you can’t beat it! https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/slow-cooker-chicken-wild-rice-soup/

Another slow cooker meal that is easy to throw together!  Unstuffed cabbage rolls 

https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/slow-cooker-unstuffed-cabbage-rolls/

Where my curry lovers at?  This recipe is loaded with veggies. I always add chicken breasts and then shred it out once it is done cooking.  Makes a hearty delicious meal.  https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/slow-cooker-coconut-curried-eggplant/

Air Fryer Recipes

If you have time to marinate, this is a super quick recipe.  Throw a bag of veggies in the microwave and you have a meal! https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-salmon-with-maple-soy-glaze/#recipe

Here is another air fryer recipe that comes together quick.  Throw it on a salad and you are good to go.  You can sub out the bread crumbs for almond flour and still get that “breaded” coating on the chicken that is crave worthy, but healthier. https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-chicken-milanese-with-mediterranean-salad/

I love this one.  The chicken cooks in about 24 mins, enough time to roast some veggies and potatoes in the oven while this cooks. https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-chicken-thighs/

Other Cooking Methods

Anything on a sheet pan!  My favorite thing to do is local sausage (nitrate and other junk free!), potatoes and veggies.  Throw it on a sheet pan in the 400 degree oven for 30 mins turning everything half way through.  It is a super simple 30 minute meal.

When I was a kid, we did a lot of sloppy joes so it is still one of my favorites.  Luckily, Skinnytaste has a delicious healthy version with lots of sneaky veggies!  I serve over a sweet potato - yum!! https://www.skinnytaste.com/skinny-sloppy-joes/

I love tacos in every form! I use Siete almond flour tortillas (pro-tip - find them at costco for a steal! But, no tortilla, no problem.  Here is a delicious fish taco bowl! https://www.skinnytaste.com/fish-taco-bowls/#recipe

Here is a bit of a weird one, but if you are a pumpkin lover, this one is for you! Pumpkin Spice Salmon! https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/pumpkin-spice-salmon/#wprm-recipe-container-33545

A quick stove top recipe that is YUM - Ground beef and broccoli stir fry https://www.skinnytaste.com/ground-beef-and-broccoli-stir-fry/#recipe

Throwing in a curve ball here.  This one is NOT quick - it takes an hour to cook but only about 10 minutes of actual prep so if you are around the house and want a hearty meal that is easy to make and legit SO delicious - you’re welcome.  Make sure you use the bone in thighs because that is the magic in this recipe! https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-chicken-thighs-with-brussels-sprouts-and-sweet-potato/

Before I leave you to your cooking… I want to add in a tidbit on breakfast!

Please take the time in the morning to make yourself a healthy breakfast and coffee to start your day.  How you start your day is super important to how you will feel throughout the day.

I find the easiest thing to make is a Fab Four Smoothie.  This is Kelly Leveque’s formula - protein, fat, fiber, greens.  I use her protein powder which is only 3 ingredients whether you buy the beef protein or the vegan option.  Here is what you do - put a couple cups of water in your blender.  Add protein powder, almond butter (or cashews, walnuts, avocado, some type of healthy fat), fiber could be avocado, flax seeds, chia seeds and greens which could be cauli rice, lettuce, spinach, zucchini etc.  then you can add extras like fruit, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice or ginger.  The sky is the limit with the flavor options.  Check out Kelly’s Instagram page - Be Well By Kelly for inspo!

Okay - happy eating!!