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Nourished not Famished

Healthy Made Easy: Simple, Nourishing Solutions to Healthy Eating and Living

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Main Dishes

Simple Roasted Chicken Breasts

By Jen

Crispy, flavorful skin + juicy, tender inside = roasted chicken perfection

Basic, easy, yet simply amazing

Sometimes going the basic route can yield the most stunning results. Like the classic “little black dress”. Or like this simply seasoned roasted chicken.

This straighforward, easy-peasy recipe will help you churn out reliably tender, juicy, delicious chicken breasts every time.

  • This roasted chicken is the perfect anchor for a classic “Sunday dinner” kind of meal, with the usual pairings of roasted potatoes and savory vegetables.
  • It’s also a perfect way to batch prep a big pile of chicken to set yourself up for some easy meals during the week. Shred it, chop it, leave it whole – whatever way works for you.
  • Grab your spice blend.
  • Rub it on, and under
    the skin.
  • Roast at 375 degrees.

What you’ll need

  • Chicken. (Obvs, I know.) For this recipe, select bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. Yes, even if you have no intention of eating the crispy, delicious skin (you probably won’t be able to resist that part, just saying). Bone-in, skin on chicken breasts deliver far superior results – tender, juicy, flavorful. So, please just put down those boneless, skinless chicken breasts, okay? You can just remove the skin very easily after cooking if you want to avoid it. This type of chicken is typically labeled “split chicken breasts”.
  • Roast Rub/Spices Okay, you can do your thang here, and choose whatever spices and herbs you like to use on chicken. Feel free to try out my classic, roasted chicken spice blend recipe if you’re looking for a blend to try. Or keep it super basic with simply salt and pepper. Whatever blend you decide to use, please make sure it includes salt. Salt not only significantly enhances the flavor of your chicken, it also helps tenderize it, yielding juicy, succulent chicken. If you are able to salt (and/or add your spice blend) your chicken ahead of time, go for it. The longer you allow the salt to work its magic, the better the results.
  • A roasting pan or sheet pan I usually use a large, heavy gauge rimmed baking sheet for this. I typically include intentional extra on the pan, to ensure I have plenty extra to stash away as “batch prep gold” to use for several days. Whatever amount of chicken you decide to roast, make sure you do not crowd the pan. Give the breasts a lil’ bit of breathing room. This will insure that lovely, crispy roasted texture you’re going for (instead of soft, squishy steamed chicken which is the result of cramming too much chicken in the pan).
  • A meat thermometer, preferrably instant read Okay, I’ll be honest. This is OPTIONAL. And you may be fine without it if you have Julia-Childs-level kitchen skills and can tell the exact moment when your chicken has been cooked to perfection. I know my own current culinary limits and I’m not at that level just yet. That’s why I love using a meat thermometer to take the guess work out of it. I’ve had a good experience so far with this meat thermometer, the Javelin from Lavatools.

But wait, there’s more

Don’t throw away those chicken bones. Once you are done picking the cooked chicken off the bones, store those bones in the fridge or freezer. They are the perfect starter for homemade chicken broth! If that sounds like a colossal task, I am happy to tell that making broth is quite the opposite. It’s actually pretty straightforward and easy. If you have an Instant Pot, try out my super easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth recipe.

I’d love to know if you give this a try, and how you incorporated it into your meals throughout the week!

Print Recipe
Simple Roasted Chicken Breasts
Course Main Dishes
Servings
Ingredients
  • "split" chicken breasts (bone-in, skin on) Use whatever amount you like. I find that a 3lb or so package fits nicely on my 12"x18" baking sheet.
  • spice blend, including salt
  • oil (olive oil, avocado oil, etc.) optional, for drizzling
Course Main Dishes
Servings
Ingredients
  • "split" chicken breasts (bone-in, skin on) Use whatever amount you like. I find that a 3lb or so package fits nicely on my 12"x18" baking sheet.
  • spice blend, including salt
  • oil (olive oil, avocado oil, etc.) optional, for drizzling
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Arrange the breasts on the baking sheet evenly. Do not overcrowd.
  3. Sprinkle and rub with whatever seasoning you are using. Try to rub some of the spices and salt under the skin, and also rub it on the outside, all over. Optional: drizzle with oil.
  4. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or so, until it internal temperature hits 165F in the thickest part of the breast (approximately when the juices run clear).
  5. Remove from oven, and let chicken "rest" for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This will help the chicken retain its juices (instead of running out into the pan).

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: batch cooking, chicken, meal prep

Seriously Amazing Pork Carnitas, Slow Cooker or Oven

By Jen

bowl of pork carnitas with sides

You don’t need to wait for Cinco de Mayo to cook up a batch of these mouthwatering pork carnitas. No excuses necessary – you can enjoy these anytime you’re looking for a satisfying, smack-your-lips carnitas experience.

If you’ve got omnivore, plant-heavy tendencies like me, go right ahead and load up your carnitas plate with plenty of veggie sides. I like to enjoy my pork carnitas bowl-style, with these sides:

  • black beans
  • cilantro lime slaw (grab my recipe here)
  • quick-pickled red onions (and grab this recipe, too!)
  • diced avocado
  • brown rice
perfect carnitas sides: cilantro lime slaw and quick-pickled red onions

If you’re feeding a household, and those hungry mouths are demanding tacos, these carnitas are delicious tucked into a soft corn tortilla. Top with those same sides I mentioned above for the full carnitas experience.

pork carnitas for tonight . . . and more

Quick & Easy (plus plenty of leftovers!)

This recipe is easy enough to whip up any day of the week, and is a fantastic choice for batch cooking. One go-around of these in your slow cooker wil leave you with enough for several nights of dinner! Pop the extra in your freezer, and enjoy an easy quick dinner or two in the coming weeks.

You’ll start with rubbing the spice mixture onto the pork, and then refrigerate pork overnight (it’s perfectly fine to skip the wait time if you just can’t squeeze it in). Next, you’ll add the sliced onions and bay leaves to the bottom of the slow cooker, then place the pork on top. After that, squeeze in the citrus (lime and orange). Set your slow cooker to low, and let it cook for 8-10 hours, until perfect tenderness.

Use two forks to shred the pork in a large dish or on a large platter. Finally, spread some of the pork onto a sheet pan, and heat under broiler for about three minutes until crisp on the edges. If you plan to freeze some carnitas for future meals, hold off on crisping those portions under the broiler. Simply freeze those portions as is.

Options (because it’s important to make a recipe work for you):

  • Make this recipe in your slow cooker, or in the oven. I’ve included directions for both methods. Choose what works for you.
  • Feel free to cut this recipe in half if the yield is just too much for your household. Cook time will remain the same.
  • Squeezed for time? No need to marinade in the rub prior to cooking. It’s a nice extra that boosts the flavor a bit, but if you can’t fit that step in, no worries. I guarantee that your pork carnitas will still taste amazing regardless.
  • Freeze any extras for an easy, quick weeknight meal in the coming weeks or next month. Just be sure to wrap it airtight before you put it in the freezer (and hold off on the crisping step until you plan to serve it).
  • Take your pick – slow cooker or oven method. Do what works for you. Directions for both methods are included in recipe instructions below.
crispy, mouthwatering carnitas

Drop me a comment and let me know how you liked this recipe! And don’t forget to snap a pic of your carnitas creation, post it and tag it #nourishednotfamished. I’d love to see what you’re cooking in your kitchen!

Print Recipe
Seriously Amazing Pork Carnitas, Slow Cooker or Oven
bowl of pork carnitas with sides
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours (in slow cooker)
Passive Time 8 hours (for marinade; optional)
Servings
servings
Ingredients
  • 6 or so lbs pork butt or pork shoulder (bone in or boneless works)
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic or garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 3 limes (2 for juicing into pork, 1 to serve as wedges for garnish)
  • 2 oranges
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours (in slow cooker)
Passive Time 8 hours (for marinade; optional)
Servings
servings
Ingredients
  • 6 or so lbs pork butt or pork shoulder (bone in or boneless works)
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic or garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 3 limes (2 for juicing into pork, 1 to serve as wedges for garnish)
  • 2 oranges
bowl of pork carnitas with sides
Instructions
  1. Combine garlic powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, crushed red pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Season pork with mixture, rubbing to coat all sides thoroughly.
  2. Store seasoned pork in refrigerator overnight (or proceed directly to next cooking steps).
SLOW COOKER METHOD
  1. Place sliced onions in bottom of slow cooker. Add bay leaves. Place pork on top.
  2. Juice the two oranges and two of the limes directly into the slow cooker.
  3. Cover and cook on low in slow cooker for 8-10 hours.
  4. Remove pork from slow cooker and place onto a large platter. Shred pork. Next, follow directions for last step - crisping (see below).
OVEN METHOD
  1. Preheat the oven to 300F.
  2. Place the onions and bay leaves in a layer in the bottom of a roaster or large oven safe Dutch oven. Place pork on top, and juice two limes and two oranges over the pork.
  3. Cook covered for 3 hours, then flip the pork over and cook for 2 more hours. You'll know it's done when it's fork tender (target range is 145F-160F).
  4. Remove pork from pan and place onto a large platter. Shred pork. Next, follow directions for last step - crisping (see below).
CRISPING STEP
  1. Spoon some of the pork cooking juices over the shredded pork.
  2. Broiler: Preheat oven to broil. Place some of the pork (the portion you are serving for that meal) onto a baking sheet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly crispy.
  3. Or in skillet: Set a skillet over medium heat. When the pan is very hot, add the pork, spreading it out evenly over the bottom of the pan. Cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes, until it is richly browned and releases itself from the bottom of the pan. Gently turn the pieces to brown the other side. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt (preferrably coarse salt for most flavor impact!).

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: slow cooker

Easy Charcuterie-style Lunch Box

By Jen

Yup, those gorgeous, drool-worthy charcuterie board pics everywhere you look lately are the inspiration for this easy, exciting lunch of your dreams: Charcuterie-Inspired Lunch Box. Say goodbye to Sad Desk Lunch/Sad School Lunch Syndrome!

I decided that I don’t need to wait for a party to enjoy a fancy-ish spread like a charcuterie board. In fact, it’s a perfect choice for an easy weekday lunch!

  • You can throw it together in two minutes, and it’s flexible enough for everyone in your household to customize as needed.
  • It’s an easy way to ensure that you’ve got protein, healthy fats, good carbs, and a rainbow of veggies and fruits on your plate.
  • It totally delivers on taste and texture variety, which is often missing from your average Sad Desk Lunch.
  • Snacking-style lunch just feels fun, doesn’t it?

The secret to keeping this easy and doable is doing a tiny bit of prep early in the week. And when prepping the ingredients, consider how you can use the foods in a variety of ways, and not just for this one lunch idea.

Make those meal prep minutes count, worthy of your precious time. Efficiently leverage your efforts so you can protect the rest of your time for everything else in your life.

For example, here’s a rundown of a recent charcuterie-inspired lunch my kids packed for themselves:

Fancy lunch in just five minutes
  • chopped veggies: Red peppers, cucumbers, and radishes. Those veggies are also appearing in other meals this week, too. Chop once, eat a bunch of times!
  • roasted asparagus: I wrapped some stalks in prosciutto before roasting, and left the rest of the stalks plain. The entire sheet pan got a toss of EVOO, salt, pepper, and smidge of grated Parmagiano Reggiano. Beyond these lunches, we’re adding the asparagus to breakfast (omelet, frittata), and for a extra boost of veggies at dinner once or twice this week.
  • radishes: Oh, the conundrum of an ENTIRE bag of radishes, right? Like, who actually eats a whole bag of radishes? (And please don’t suggest roasting them, because I tried that. I’m going to save you some time – don’t roast them. Don’t believe the hype.) I chopped up the rest of the bag, and plan to quick pickle them with some shredded carrot and the rest of the chopped cucumber. I think that might end up in a banh mi bowl . . .
  • Leverage those leftovers!: I intentionally made plenty extra when I roasted chicken on Sunday (for chicken soup). That came in handy to add a few bites here to boost the protein for this meal. Satiety for the win!
  • olives: Even a picky eater might enjoy these super mild Manzanilla olives. They helped me discover that I actually do like olives. #olddognewtricks You can find them at Trader Joe’s.
  • Not pictured: dried apricots, plus sides like crackers and crunchy baked chickpeas (perfect example of how everyone can customize to their own preferences/needs)

Need some inspiration?

How are you keeping lunch easy, nourishing, and exciting? Drop a comment? #sharingiscaring 😊

Print Recipe
Easy Charcuterie-style Lunch Box
The beauty of this easy Charcuterie-Inspired Lunch Box is the ability to customize it to meet your taste preferences and dietary needs. Use the ingredients list below (and the image above) as inspiration, and as usual, YOU DO YOU.
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine Greek, Italian, Mediterranean
Servings
Ingredients
  • proteins of choice (meat/poultry) cooked, cubed chicken or turkey; cured meats; minimally processed deli turkey;
  • protein/fat combo eggs, cheese, nuts
  • olives
  • veggies, raw, blanched, or roasted chopped, sliced, even canned/jarred (i.e. artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers)
  • dried or fresh fruit
  • beans/legumes ideas: canned or roasted chickpeas, white beans, lupini beans
  • grain-free crackers or socca (made using chickpea flour)
  • whole grain crackers
  • whole grain sourdough bread
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine Greek, Italian, Mediterranean
Servings
Ingredients
  • proteins of choice (meat/poultry) cooked, cubed chicken or turkey; cured meats; minimally processed deli turkey;
  • protein/fat combo eggs, cheese, nuts
  • olives
  • veggies, raw, blanched, or roasted chopped, sliced, even canned/jarred (i.e. artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers)
  • dried or fresh fruit
  • beans/legumes ideas: canned or roasted chickpeas, white beans, lupini beans
  • grain-free crackers or socca (made using chickpea flour)
  • whole grain crackers
  • whole grain sourdough bread
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a lunch container, as artfully as you have the tolerance for.
  2. Open at lunchtime, smile, and nosh to your heart's delight.

Filed Under: Meal Prep/Meal Planning Tips, Recipes Tagged With: easy, lunch, quick and easy

Decadent Five Layer Dip That’s Healthy Enough For Dinner

By Jen

the dip that’s a dinner, too
click here to jump to recipe

Yup, you can have your dip and your health, too. It’s easy to dismiss dip as party food only, to be enjoyed without the goal of actually eating healthy. Well, this dip recipe (that’s honestly more of a meal than a dip) is your game changer. It’s easy to assemble, is chock full of vegetables, protein, and slow carbs, AND includes all of those 5-Layer-Dip essentials: avocado, cheese, and a bit of sour cream. Yes, your favorite game-day appetizer can be your Tuesday night dinner! And let’s not forget that you can always dump any leftovers into a container and pack it for lunch tomorrow.

And, no, I didn’t resort to anything gross like lowfat cheese and fake meat in a misguided attempt to make this healthy. Uh uh. No way. I would never do that to you guys. You deserve better. Instead, I made a few tweaks that shifted this into “healthy enough for everyday”, while still giving you the full fiesta experience that a proper five layer dip should provide.

  • The bottom layer is your basic refried beans. Refried beans are essential to a five layer dip, and are a great source of slow-acting, satiating carbohydrate (that also happens to include a bit of protein, too). Beans are considered the world’s #1 longevity food, so there’s that, too. Wowsers, right? To keep things easy, I use canned refried beans. I used fat-free because the other types of refried beans (labeled “traditional”, etc.) are often made with low quality fats that are more harmful than healthful. This is where the avocado layer comes in . . .
  • The dip is topped with a generous layer of avocado, which is an excellent source of heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat. But wait, there’s more: avocado also is a rich source of potassium, fiber, vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, and more.
  • I added a cup of cauliflower rice (store-bought, straight from the freezer) to the ground turkey. This does not change the texture and taste of the meat layer of this dip. It does, however, painlessly add yet another serving of vegetables to your day. Winning!
  • Instead of chips, I’ve included some healthier options for scooping up. A few options are red pepper strips, homemade corn tortilla chips (which results in chips made with a healthier fat such as avocado oil), or even Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas you can oven bake for a sturdy chip. Of course, if you (or your loved ones) have a “from my cold dead hands” relationship with classic store-bought tortilla chips, I’m not going to get in your way. This is a no judgment zone.
  • I included some cheese and sour cream in this dip, because, hey, did you even five layer dip if it didn’t include those? I aimed to include enough to satisfy without going overboard. In case you were wondering, yes, a bit of dairy now and then is fine for you, provided you aren’t lactose intolerant. Ideally, opt for grass-fed sources of dairy if possible (but don’t sweat it if that’s not an option). Of course, if you’re lactose intolerant, feel free to subtitute with your favorite dairy-free stand-ins.

I am a big fan of any shortcut that makes a real-food lifestyle easier. Feel free to use store-bought taco seasoning when you make this, but please check the ingredient label for any funny business. You don’t need weird fillers and mystery ingredients in your food. Or you can use what you probably already have in your spice rack, and make my recipe for Taco Seasoning. Keep things easy by passing off the spice recipe to someone else in your household. Hey, if you’re making this incredible five layer dip for them, it’s the least they can do.

If dips are an essential part of your eating life, check out my recipes for 5-Minute Hummus and also Buffalo Chicken Hummus Dip.

leftovers all packed up for tomorrow’s lunch

Print Recipe
Decadent Five Layer Dip that's Healthy Enough for Dinner
Have your dip and your health, too with this satisfying and nourishing Mexican Five Layer dip. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, an appetizer, or for a snack.
Course Appetizers, Main Dishes
Cuisine Mexican
Servings
generous entree portions (serves more if used as an appetizer)
Ingredients
Dip ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground turkey
  • 2 16 ounce cans refried beans, fat-free (see notes above why to go fat-free here)
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium avocado, diced
  • 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower (a.k.a. cauliflower rice)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (no junky ingredients; or use my recipe "Taco Seasoning")
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 bunch scallions, chopped
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
Dipping options (Pick and choose. You do you.)
  • 3 red bell peppers, cut into wide strips
  • 4 corn tortillas brushed with avocado oil, sprinkled with salt and oven baked to crispy; cut into chip size pieces after baking; optional
  • 2 large Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas oven baked to crispy (a pizza stone works great for this!) break into chip size pieces after baking; optional
  • 1 1/3 cups cooked brown rice (measured after cooking); optional
Course Appetizers, Main Dishes
Cuisine Mexican
Servings
generous entree portions (serves more if used as an appetizer)
Ingredients
Dip ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground turkey
  • 2 16 ounce cans refried beans, fat-free (see notes above why to go fat-free here)
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium avocado, diced
  • 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower (a.k.a. cauliflower rice)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (no junky ingredients; or use my recipe "Taco Seasoning")
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 bunch scallions, chopped
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
Dipping options (Pick and choose. You do you.)
  • 3 red bell peppers, cut into wide strips
  • 4 corn tortillas brushed with avocado oil, sprinkled with salt and oven baked to crispy; cut into chip size pieces after baking; optional
  • 2 large Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas oven baked to crispy (a pizza stone works great for this!) break into chip size pieces after baking; optional
  • 1 1/3 cups cooked brown rice (measured after cooking); optional
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Heat the avocado oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add ground turkey. Stir frequently until browned, continuously breaking up the meat into the smallest possible pieces. You might need to turn up the heat beyond medium for part of the cooking process.
  3. Add the taco seasoning to the meat, and stir to combine.
  4. Add the frozen riced cauliflower, and stir to combine. Heat the turkey mixture for about 2-3 more minutes. Set aside.
  5. Spread the refried beans into a 9x13 baking dish, smoothing out evenly with a spatula.
  6. Top the bean layer with the turkey mixture. Spread out the turkey mixture so that it's even distrubuted.
  7. Scatter the shredded cheese over the turkey layer.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for approximately five minutes, long enough to melt the cheese.
  9. Allow baked mixture to cool for a few minutes.
  10. Top with diced avocado, scallions, sour cream, and cilantro.
  11. Serve with your choice of sides (see dipping options above).

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: easy, party food, quick and easy

Lazy Huevos Rancheros with Black Beans

By Jen

I get it. You want a hearty, delicious breakfast that’s going to keep you going all morning, but you don’t want to spend lot of time making it.

Maybe it’s the weekend, and it’s your only chance to have a chill morning at home. You don’t want to spend forty five minutes making breakfast.

Or, maybe you have a little time to sit and enjoy breakfast on a weekday morning, but you don’t have the wiggle room to play gourmet chef.

I got you covered with this lazy version of huevos rancheros.

In this version, you don’t need to chop anything (unless you feel a pressing need to chop the cilantro). You don’t need to make your own fresh salsa.

And guess what? Even with all of the shortcuts, it still tastes like a decadent brunch dish you would have ordered had you gone out. But you didn’t, you smart cookie! You stayed home in your pjs, saved yourself some money (because, brunch prices, ugh!), and enjoyed this quick and easy breakfast right there in your own kitchen. Go ahead, give yourself a pat on the back for being a financially responsible adult who knows how to live the good life on a budget. Way to start the day!

Kitchen tip: I use a 10-inch skillet to make this meal.

Print Recipe
Lazy Huevos Rancheros with Black Beans
Course Breakfast, Main Dishes, One Pan Dinners
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheese such as cheddar jack, straight up cheddar, or Mexican blend (1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons. You're welcome.)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • dash ground cumin
  • pinch ground coriander
  • pinch ground chipotle powder
  • small to medium handful fresh cilantro
  • small handful greens optional
Course Breakfast, Main Dishes, One Pan Dinners
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheese such as cheddar jack, straight up cheddar, or Mexican blend (1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons. You're welcome.)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • dash ground cumin
  • pinch ground coriander
  • pinch ground chipotle powder
  • small to medium handful fresh cilantro
  • small handful greens optional
Instructions
  1. Heat skillet to medium (I used a 10-inch skillet). Add oil to skillet.
  2. Throw in a small handful of greens if you like (I had some massaged kale leftover from a dinner salad a couple of days ago).
  3. Add salsa to skillet.
  4. Add drained, rinsed black beans.
  5. Let salsa and bean mixture simmer gently for a couple of minutes
  6. Crack four eggs into skillet (arrange as artfully as you like).
  7. Sprinkle with 4 tablespoons (a.k.a. 1/4 cup) shredded cheese.
  8. Season with salt and spices (I used salt, cumin, ground coriander, and chipotle powder).
  9. Cover with lid and cook a couple of minutes more until eggs are set.

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: easy, one pan, quick and easy

Veggie Fried Rice and Eggs with Kimchi

By Jen

fried eggs, rice, and veggies with kimchi, plus side of yogurt and berries

Gourmet meal, or quick and easy? This breakfast (or dinner, or lunch) delivers on both counts! I’m going to be up front with you and tell you that the secret to “easy” in this barely-a-recipe is having some leftovers on hand already, namely cooked rice and some sort of steamed veggie. Yes, those batch-cooked foods and purposeful extras you’ve been socking away all week are your ace-in-the-hole once again. (Shameless plug for meal prep there. I can’t help myself.)

My inspiration for this quick breakfast arose from some lonely, leftover brown basmati rice sitting in my fridge, plus a few florets of steamed broccoli that were waiting for their last plating. It seemed like the perfect base to incorporate a spoonful of kimchi I had on hand (what the heck is kimchi?). And it was a no-brainer to add some eggs on top. Honestly, isn’t “put an egg on it” the most basic, effective way to bring just about any meal to life? The runny yolk serves as the perfect “sauce” that brings the plate together.

Get right in there and burst those yolks for the most amazing, done-for-you sauce.

I’m always in search of a good, lazy shortcut that will save me work in the kitchen, especially clean up. I skipped the cutting board for this recipe, and just threw the chopped broccoli in a small bowl and snipped away at it with the kitchen scissors. Also, if you use the optional scallions, you can just use kitchen scissors to snip the scallions over the dish just before serving. Because who actually enjoys washing the cutting board, right?

To this meal I added a side of plain Greek yogurt and berries (thawed from frozen – so easy to keep on hand that way!). Personally, I needed some additional protein and slow carbs in this meal to keep me satiated. You do you.

Use whatever kind of leftover rice and cooked veggies you have on hand. I really like to use a green veggie with this, but that’s just my preference. Some steamed kale or bok choy is fantastic in this dish. My leftovers default today was broccoli. It’s fun to experiment with different variations to discover your favorite combinations. Leave a comment with your favorite version of this flexible recipe!

p.s. If you’re a fan of easy-yet-gourmet breakfasts (that are versatile enough for lunch or dinner, too), check out my recipe for Lazy Huevos Rancheros.

Print Recipe
Veggie Fried Rice and Eggs with Kimchi
Course Breakfast, Main Dishes
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 1/3 cup cooked brown rice (raid your leftovers!)
  • 1/3-1/2 cup steamed veggies of your choice (again, leftovers are perfect here)
  • splash soy sauce use coconut aminos if you need things soy-free
  • 1/4 cup kimchi
  • chopped scallions optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds optional
Optional Side
  • 1/3-1/2 cup plain, unsweetened 2% Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup berries
Course Breakfast, Main Dishes
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 1/3 cup cooked brown rice (raid your leftovers!)
  • 1/3-1/2 cup steamed veggies of your choice (again, leftovers are perfect here)
  • splash soy sauce use coconut aminos if you need things soy-free
  • 1/4 cup kimchi
  • chopped scallions optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds optional
Optional Side
  • 1/3-1/2 cup plain, unsweetened 2% Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup berries
Instructions
  1. Heat 1/2 teaspoon of oil over medium high heat. Add rice, stir for a minute or two.
  2. Add veggies and stir for another minute or two.
  3. Turn down heat to medium. Remove rice and veggies to your serving plate. Drizzle splash of soy sauce over mixture.
  4. Add remaining half teaspoon oil to pan, and ensure that oil is distributed across the entire surface of the skillet. Add two eggs and cook to desired "fried". If you have sesame seeds, toss them in the pan right alongside the eggs for a perfectly toasted sesame seed topping.
  5. Top the veggie and rice mixture with the eggs. Add sesame seeds if using. Add side of kimchi.
  6. For best flavor (in my humble opinion), mix everything together into a wonderful, sloppy mess. Enjoy.

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: quick, quick and easy

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

By Jen

Let’s be honest. Who wants to slave away in the kitchen at dinnertime every night? Nobody! That’s why I love these Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas. They are so easy to make, it barely counts as cooking, for reals. It’s the perfect meal to feed a crowd, whether that’s just the fam, or if you’re doing some entertaining. It’s easy to double, or even triple, and you can serve it with a variety of sides to meet everyone’s taste and dietary preferences. My kids love to have these with tortillas, while I like to stick with a slow-burning carb like black beans. Roasted sweet potatoes are great with this, too. It would also work on rice or even cauliflower rice for those who need to avoid legumes and grains.

Serve with avocado, sour cream, and cilantro, and I guarantee that all of your fajita dreams will come true.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, served bowl style

Here are a few tips to make this dinner even easier . . .

JUMP START

Here are some ways to jump start your prep ahead of time, which will make this dinner come together even more quickly.

  • Mix fajita spices and oil ahead of time. Even better, have one of your kids or your spouse do this step for you! Outsourcing is key for successful meal prep.
  • Slice chicken and place in a container or ziplock back with the spices and oil and store in the refrigerator. This can be done a couple of days in advance.
  • Prep the beans and rice on your meal prep day at the beginning of the week.

If you follow these jump start steps, all you need to do the evening you cook this meal is slice up the onions and peppers, add them to a sheet pan with the chicken, and bake in the oven. Simply reheat your prepped beans and rice.

NOW & LATER

Leverage your time and efforts in the kitchen with simple, easy strategies that leave you with dinner tonight AND extras to get you through other meals this week:

  • Consider doubling this recipe. A double batch will fit on two sheet pans. This will give you enough extras to use for lunches like fajita tacos or fajita bowls.
  • If you end up with leftover fajita veggies, they’re great tossed into a frittata. Fajita Frittata! Say that three times fast, I dare ya.
  • If you make extra beans and rice, you can easily use that in other meals throughout the week. If you have leftovers you’re not going to use in time, just pop them in your freezer for another week. I like to preportion out my grains like rice before freezing, that way I can easily grab exactly what I need to quickly add to a lunch now and then.
Print Recipe
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Course Main Dishes, One Pan Dinners
Cuisine Mexican
Servings
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper/ground red pepper
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/4" strips
  • 2 large white onions cut into 1/2" wedges
  • 2 medium green bell peppers cut into 1/4" strips
  • 2 medium red bell peppers cut into 1/4" strips
  • sour cream
  • brown rice (optional)
  • tortillas (optional)
  • canned black beans, drained and rinsed optional
  • avocado optional
Course Main Dishes, One Pan Dinners
Cuisine Mexican
Servings
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper/ground red pepper
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/4" strips
  • 2 large white onions cut into 1/2" wedges
  • 2 medium green bell peppers cut into 1/4" strips
  • 2 medium red bell peppers cut into 1/4" strips
  • sour cream
  • brown rice (optional)
  • tortillas (optional)
  • canned black beans, drained and rinsed optional
  • avocado optional
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. Combine spices and olive oil in a small bowl.
  3. Combine chicken strips and veggie strips in a large bowl. Pour the spice mixture over the chicken and veggies, and stir to coat completely.
  4. Place the chicken and veggie mixture on a large, rimmed baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway. Cook until chicken internal temperature has reached 165
  6. Serve with following options: canned black beans (drained and rinsed), sour cream, ripe avocado, chopped cilantro, soft tortillas or brown rice.

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: easy, one pan, quick and easy, sheet pan

Quick & Easy Chili-Lime Spiced Shrimp, Cucumber, and Avocado Salad

By Jen

It’s true, I do love to cook, but, I’m also living in the real world. I don’t have hours of time to prepare meals, and I bet you don’t either. I also don’t want to rely on processed, nutrient-poor foods for the sake of convenience. That’s why I look for meals that meet my top three requirements:

  • real-food ingredients
  • quick and easy
  • delicious

This no-cook meal, Chili-Lime Spiced Shrimp, Cucumber, and Avocado Salad checks all the boxes! Little conveniences like frozen cooked shrimp and canned beans add up to huge time savings without sacrificing flavor. It’s loaded with veggies, and the shrimp and avocado will leave you feeling fueled and filled. I whipped this recipe together on the fly one day as I rummaged through my kitchen, putting together a few lunches to get me through the week. This meal packs well as a lunch, but is also perfect for a busy weeknight when you’re short on time and need a quick-prep dinner.

I like to round out this meal with some additional carbs (brown rice is my favorite with this). Yes, technically the cooked rice means this isn’t a 100% “no-cook” recipe, but, it can be if you rely on batch-cooked rice that you included in your weekly meal prep (yes, that’s often the secret to my no-cook meals!). If you choose not to add that extra carb, consider increasing the olive oil amount a little bit.

The directions below are for two servings. Feel free to dial up or down the servings to meet your needs. If you pack up a couple for lunches, it’s best to hold off and add the avocado the day you will enjoy your meal.

All packed up for lunch (variation here is refried beans instead of black beans)

 

 


Print Recipe


Quick and Easy Chili & Lime Spiced Shrimp, Avocado, and Refried Beans

Course Main Dishes

Servings


Ingredients
  • 6 ounces cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp thawed from frozen (this can be done overnight in fridge, or rinse under cold running water for several minutes)
  • 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium avocado, pitted and cut into bite-size chunks
  • 1 cup cooked black beans (canned or home-cooked)
  • 1-2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
  • juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/2 large cucumber, chopped
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice (optional)
  • 1/2 small-medium red bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 scallions, chopped
  • handful cherry tomatoes, halved
  • dash salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • dash ground coriander
  • dash ancho chili powder (optional)

Course Main Dishes

Servings


Ingredients
  • 6 ounces cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp thawed from frozen (this can be done overnight in fridge, or rinse under cold running water for several minutes)
  • 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium avocado, pitted and cut into bite-size chunks
  • 1 cup cooked black beans (canned or home-cooked)
  • 1-2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
  • juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/2 large cucumber, chopped
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice (optional)
  • 1/2 small-medium red bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 scallions, chopped
  • handful cherry tomatoes, halved
  • dash salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • dash ground coriander
  • dash ancho chili powder (optional)


Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl, and gently combine. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: avocado, dairy-free, easy, gluten-free, protein, quick, quick and easy, seafood

Frittata 101: How to Make the Perfect Frittata

By Jen

Okay, so maybe perfect is a stretch, but that’s the beauty of this whole frittata thing. It doesn’t need to be perfect! Whew, right? Who needs perfection on a busy weeknight, anyway? There are some basic techniques and steps to follow, but beyond that, you can just get in there and do your thing. Add your favorite veggies, or, even better – use up the odds and ends of veggies that are hiding in your fridge. Want to add some more protein in the form of ham or sausage? Slice that up, and go for it. Does a little bit of feta, goat cheese, or cheddar work for you? If you need to keep things dairy-free, garnish with avocado slices. Feel free to add in fresh or dried herbs if you like. You do you!

Frittata know-how is one of those must-have kitchen skills that can help you throw together a healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with very little effort and time. It’s also a great staple for batch-cooking meal prep, because you can double, triple, quadruple, etc. the amount to fit your household’s needs.

Eggs are a rich source of protein and healthy fats, so a frittata is a wonderfully satiating choice for breakfast. And, really, who has time to cook eggs from scratch every morning? The frittata is a shining example of how, with a little bit of meal prep, real food can be the easy, convenient, “fast food” choice.

Frittata made with tomatoes and zucchini

Nope, not pizza! It’s frittata made with zucchini, garlic, italian herbs, parmesan, and sliced tomato. Pizzata?

My recipe below is based on using eight eggs. Depending on your serving-size needs (1 egg? 2 eggs?),Β  it it makes 4-8 servings. This recipe is totally customizeable, so if you need to serve more than that, a 12-inch skillet can easily accomodate up to a dozen eggs. Also, if using a 12-inch skillet, I recommend using at least six eggs. If you plan to use less than six eggs, I recommend using a smaller, 9 or 10-inch skillet.

Use a heavy, sturdy skillet, as it conducts heat so much better. Cast iron is nice, but not necessary. You’ll need to use an ovenproof skillet, as the final cooking step involves the oven.

And one last bit of advice . . . be sure to coat the pan thoroughly with the oil. Baked-on/cooked-on egg is no joke, and will leave you scrubbing your pan for an hour. Ugh. Properly oiling the surface will make all the difference in the world!

If you want to go even bigger, try out my recipe here for Sheet Pan Frittata!

A slice of frittata from your meal prep stash is an easy way to build your plate for a quick lunch or dinner.

So good at breakfast with my favorite side – steel-cut oats, berries, Greek yogurt, and cinnamon, nutmeg, & cardamom!

Β 

Print Recipe
Basic Frittata
Course Breakfast, Main Dishes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 8 eggs
  • 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2- 2 cups veggies, chopped (raw or cooked; see instructions below)
  • 4 tablespoons cheese (optional)
  • fresh chopped herbs, or dried herbs and spices (optional)
Course Breakfast, Main Dishes
Servings
Ingredients
  • 8 eggs
  • 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2- 2 cups veggies, chopped (raw or cooked; see instructions below)
  • 4 tablespoons cheese (optional)
  • fresh chopped herbs, or dried herbs and spices (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Whisk in salt and pepper to taste. If you are using herbs or spices, add them in at this point, and combine thoroughly.
  3. Heat a 10-12 inch heavy skillet over low to medium heat. Add the extra virgin olive oil. Try to rub a little bit of the oil up the sides a tiny bit (I usually use a scrap of paper towel or a pastry brush to do so). This will prevent egg from sticking on the sides of the pan.
  4. Once oil is heated, add in raw veggies, and saute until softened. Cook time will vary depending on your choice of vegetables. If you are using pre-cooked veggies, do not add them at this point.
  5. Pour egg mixture into skillet, right over the sauteed veggies (be sure to spread them evenly around the pan before you add the egg mixture to the pan). If you are using pre-cooked veggies, add right on top of the egg mixture, being sure to distribute evenly (to make sure everyone gets their veggies!). If you are adding cheese, sprinkle it on top.
  6. Reduce heat to low and cook for two minutes.
  7. Turn off stovetop heat, and place skillet in preheated 400F oven. Cook for approximately five minutes, until eggs are set. Cook time will vary slightly depending amount of ingredients you used.
  8. Garnish with avocado (optional) and fresh herbs (optional).
  9. Slice leftovers into portions of your choice, and store in fridge for quick meals during the week.

Filed Under: Blog, Meal Prep/Meal Planning Tips, Recipes Tagged With: batch cooking, easy, eggs, meal prep, quick

Baked Buffalo Chicken Hummus Dip

By Jen

Weekends are for sweatpants and eating dip, right? Well, you’ll have no problem adding veggies to that list with this Baked Buffalo Chicken Hummus Dip. It’s great as a meal, snack, or the perfect appetizer for game day.

If you’re wondering how you feel about warm hummus, fear not. It’s amazing! I was a skeptic, too until I tried it. I consider myself a bit of a hummus purist, and I’m used to consuming it at room temperture or slightly cool. The hearty chickpeas and garlicky tang from the hummus are a natural addition to a warm dip that will satisfy your appetite and taste buds.

This recipe comes together quickly, and is perfect for doubling up for a lunch or two (or even dinner) later in the week. You can tackle this recipe completely from scratch, by making your own hummus (5 minutes, I swear – check out my recipe), or simply use store-bought hummus. Cook the shredded chicken yourself, or use a rostisserie chicken from the market.

A FEW TIPS:

I like to serve this dip with crunchy veggies like celery sticks and carrots, instead of highly refined chips and bread. I included some brown rice in this dip as an additional nourishing slow carb, because I know that combination works for me and my energy needs. Feel free to skip the addition of rice, as the dip is just as amazing without it.

The amounts below are enough for a monster lunch/dinner portion for one, or for a small appetizer to share. The recipe can be scaled up or down to suit your needs. Party of one? Party of 20? Whatever works!

Feel free to use shredded boneless, skinless chicken breast OR boneless, skinless thighs. The thighs would be a little bit juicier, and are a good choice if that’s what you’re looking for.

Here are some ways you can jump start your prep ahead of time, to help you put this recipe together even more quickly the day you plan to eat it:

JUMP START:

  • Chop your veggies for serving (celery sticks, carrot sticks)
    If you are making the chicken and hummus yourself, prep a day or two ahead of time, and refrigerate until use
  • Cook the brown rice a day or two ahead of time (addition of brown rice is optional)

If you’re going to spend time making this recipe, you might as well leverage your efforts and make a little bit extra of some of the ingredients to repurpose in other meals during the week. I like to call these my β€œNow & Laters”. Prep some for now, and some for later use in other meals, with hardly any extra effort.

NOW & LATER:

  • Double, triple, etc. the entire recipe for extra meals or snacks later in the week
  • Make extra chicken to use in soups, chicken salad, bowl meals, tacos, or even store in the freezer for use much later
    chop extra veggies to use
  • If you’re making your own hummus, use the leftovers/extras in other meals during the week, or with snacks


Print Recipe


Buffalo Chicken Baked Hummus Dip

Course Appetizers, Main Dishes

Servings


Ingredients
  • 3 ounces cooked chicken, shredded (boneless, skinless breast or thighs work)
  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1/2 cup hummus (store-bought or make your own)
  • 1 teaspoon Frank's Hot Sauce add more if you like more heat
  • 2 teaspoons shredded cheddar or cheddar jack, or crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/4 small avocado sliced
  • diced red onion optional
  • scallions optional

Course Appetizers, Main Dishes

Servings


Ingredients
  • 3 ounces cooked chicken, shredded (boneless, skinless breast or thighs work)
  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1/2 cup hummus (store-bought or make your own)
  • 1 teaspoon Frank's Hot Sauce add more if you like more heat
  • 2 teaspoons shredded cheddar or cheddar jack, or crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/4 small avocado sliced
  • diced red onion optional
  • scallions optional


Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F.

  2. Add following ingredients to a baking dish, and stir to combine: shredded, cooked chicken breast, cooked brown rice (optional), hummus, and Frank's Hot Sauce (add extra if you like more heat).

  3. Top with the cheese. Bake for 8-10 minutes or so, until cheese is melted and bubbly on top.

  4. Top with sliced avocado. Serve with celery sticks and carrot sticks for dipping. Optional: top with diced red onion or sliced scallions.

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: chicken, dip, entertaining

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About Me:

Hi, I’m Jen, and welcome to Nourished Not Famished. Here you’ll find recipes, meal ideas, and wellness tips to thrive without deprivation, restriction, or calorie counting. Nourish yourself and your loved ones with the pleasures of eating real, whole foods, using familiar, easy-to-find ingredients and without spending endless hours in the kitchen. Β Find out about more about me here.

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Hit like if you use your favorite restaurant meals Hit like if you use your favorite restaurant meals for cooking & meal planning inspiration! πŸ™Œ #copycatcooking πŸ™Œ  Today I threw together a recreation of one of my favorite items from a local Italian restaurant @trattoria_san_pietro , garlicky shrimp & broccoli rabe (a.k.a. rapini) with sourdough toast.😍 (deets below)

To be honest, we usually just make a lot of things on repeat here to keep meal prep & planning easy. When we're feeling kind of bored it, I'll throw something new into the mix. We'll try out a new recipe, or copycat one of our dining out favorites.

Our copycats don't always come out exactly how we want πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ, but it's fun trying anyway. We always end up learning something new about a cooking technique or flavor profiles, which boosts our #kitchenskills in the long run.

How do you mix things up in the kitchen when you're feeling really bored of your usual meals? And what are some ways you've been able to level up your kitchen skills to make the whole meal planning and meal prep thing easier?

πŸ”₯Deets on my meal:πŸ”₯

πŸ‘‰ Inspiration struck when I saw some super fresh looking broccoli rabe at the supermarket.

πŸ‘‰Next, I hit up my freezer:
βœ”οΈThawed some pre-cooked shrimp.
βœ”οΈToasted some Trader Joe's multigrain sourdough I had stashed in the freezer. (You store unused bread in your freezer, too, right? πŸ™‚)

πŸ‘‰ Gave the rabe a rough chop, then a quick blanch (salted water). Immediately placed it in a bowl of ice water for about 2 minutes. (This stops the cooking process rapidly, retaining a bright green freshness to the veggie.)

πŸ‘‰ Sauteed a boatload of thinly sliced garlic and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes over low heat in a large skillet. Added blanched rabe and a smidge of butter and heated for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Seasoned with salt.

πŸ‘‰Plated it all and enjoyed! #nourished
#nutritiousisdelicious 

πŸ‘‰ Bitter foods like rabe can stimulate digestion and improve the absorption of nutrients. πŸŽ‰ Even if you don't fall in love at first bitter bite, your taste buds *will* grow to love bitter foods. Literally, over time the proteins in your saliva change and adapt in response to eating bitter foods, ultimately changing the taste ex
Hi, I'm Jen and I LOVE TO WALK. πŸ˜€ Do you? Don't Hi, I'm Jen and I LOVE TO WALK. πŸ˜€ Do you? Don't underestimate the power of a walk! Even if you only have ten minutes, it is *totally* worth your time. I know I sound ridiculously enthusiastic about walking πŸ˜€, but, you guys . . . walking daily can be life-changing! #everythingisconnected

Walking is a balm for the mind, body, & soul . . .

πŸ‘‰ Outdoor movement calms the nervous system and boosts creative thinking.

Here's how that's playing out for me:
βœ”οΈShuts down the hamster wheel of anxiety in my head over pandemic stress, parenting teens (#dearLord 😟), & general life stressors. 
βœ”οΈ Lets my mind wander freely, sometimes resulting in creative solutions to current problems and challenges I'm working on.
βœ”οΈ A short walk in the early evening is helping me relieve stress and unwind from the day. I'm leaning less on that evening glass of wine as #stressrelief ! Plus, no downsides or icky side effects to walking (not so true about the wine πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ).

πŸ‘‰ Exposure to outdoor, natural light can boost your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D helps your body maintain healthy bone density, helps your immune system function well, and might even help ward off depression.
βœ”οΈ Yay! Potentially less risk of osteoporosis as I age. 
βœ”οΈ Helps my immune system kick colds & other viruses to the curb. πŸ’ͺ
βœ”οΈ Boosts my odds of getting through  winter without #seasonalaffectivedisorder 

πŸ‘‰ A brief walk after a meal can help regulate your blood sugar response. This is a great benefit for anyone, but especially for anyone who might be pre-diabetic or #diabetic.
βœ”οΈ My walking habit has helped me steer my health away from blood sugar issues. Walking, along with some tweaks in my way of eating, better sleep, and resistance training turned me away from becoming pre-diabetic.

So, yes, I am a major fan of walking! How about you?

❓What are some ways you could or have set yourself up to make getting out for a walk easier to do? 
❓Do you keep your walking shoes and outdoor gear in a handy spot? 
❓Do you schedule short walks into your daily plan, to help ensure they happen?
❓Do like to use walking to get in some much needed #alonetime, or do you like company when you walk and use it as a time to connect?
Maple Tahini Dressing/Dip 😍 Aiming to eat more Maple Tahini Dressing/Dip 😍 Aiming to eat more veggies this week? You'll have no problem getting yourself to hit your #veggiegoals if you're pairing them with this perfectly tangy-yet-sweet, smooth & creamy tahini dressing. Hit link in my bio @nourished.not.famished for the recipe!

Tahini (a.k.a. sesame seed butter) is a great plant-based fat to add into your rotation. It can be used in a million different dishes, so if you decide to take the plunge and buy a jar, I assure you that it will not go to waste. πŸ™Œ

In my house, we'll be using this as a dip to go with our usual veggie platter we prepare almost every week.

When the dinner hungries hit, and dinner isn't ready quite yet, I grab our veggie platter and dip out of the fridge. Everyone nibbles aways, takes the edge off their hunger as they await dinner AND, boom πŸ’₯ - everyone's just eaten a hearty serving of veggies. πŸŽ‰

What's your plan to hit your veggie goals this week? How are you setting up your Future Self to succeed with that? πŸ™Œ #letsdothis 

#mealplan #mealprep #shapethepath #tinyhabits #healthyhabits #simplenutrition #ditchthediet #omnivore #plantforward #plantfocused #veggies
πŸ˜† Truth, right? Let's be real, grocery shopping πŸ˜† Truth, right? Let's be real, grocery shopping isn't all that fun, but if you already have a clear plan in place *before* you shop, it feels a lot less overwhelming. And by "have a plan", I mean:
πŸ‘‰ Figure out *what* you (and your household?) are going to eat for meals in the coming days. Nope, it doesn't need to be perfect. 
(πŸŽ‰I've broken that down for you into 6 bite-sized steps to help you get it done.πŸ™‚ Hit link in bio @nourished.not.famished to see it now on my blog!)
πŸ‘‰Then, make your shopping list based on your plan. 

I promise you . . . if you start with a plan before shopping, you will probably end up spending less, eating better, and reducing #foodwaste .
#winning πŸ™ŒπŸ™Œ

❓So, what kind of grocery shopper are you? A planner? Just-wing-it? A little bit of both??

❓What's on your meal plan this week? 
❓How are you showing your Future Self (who *really* wants to make good choices) some love & support by planning ahead?

πŸ“· photo by Suzanna Kreiter of The Boston Globe

#mealplan #mealprep #groceries #groceryshopping #adulting #simplenutrition #feedingmyfamily #ditchthediet #healthyhabits #healthymom #healthymoms 
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