Contrary to some people’s belief, food can taste good and be healthy. In the past, there’s been food offered that was loaded with vitamins and processed to include plenty of protein and other nutrients. Those products often tasted like vitamin soaked cardboard, giving healthy food a bad reputation. Seriously, there’s no reason to eat “processed” healthy food when Mother Nature provides it right on the vine, also providing herbs that add a gourmet taste and healthy nutrients to the mix.
You need to start with healthy ingredients.
Scour your fresh fruits and vegetable section for the healthiest foods. Even if a bag of kale chips or a power bar are described as healthy on the package, you can do far better! I love the vegetable noodles made with those spiralizers. One simple salad I enjoy making uses sautéed or fresh zucchini noodles, chopped Black Krimm tomatoes—an heirloom variety—(the black varieties of tomatoes have more antioxidants), colorful sweet peppers, cucumber, celery and onions. Sometimes, I toss in some feta cheese, mozzarella or air baked chicken pieces. I toss it all with a homemade vinaigrette that includes herbs and spices. It’s super quick and easy, plus very healthy.
Add lots of Omega-3 to your cooking.
I love wild salmon and it’s an exceptionally good way to boost your omega-3 fatty acids, something the average American diet is far lower in than it should be. It’s easy to make, just drizzle some olive oil, salt, pepper sprinkle fresh herbs and create a foil packet to bake it at 400 degrees for ten minutes. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen you can grill it.
Make your salads healthier and yummier.
Green salad may sound boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Use a spring mix with some spinach added for a colorful, nutrient loaded salad. Add some berries, onions, walnuts or pecans and/or tomatoes. Sometimes I add grilled vegetables to mine. Parmesan cheese is a great topper. Those berries give it zing and some sweetness. For the dressing, I use a variety of healthy homemade vinaigrettes or a Greek yogurt ranch that’s particularly tasty. .
- If you include beef or chicken in your meal, choose organic grass-fed beef and free range chicken to boost the health benefits.
- When the weather turns chilly, a robust homemade soup is always welcome. If you have fresh vegetables left over or even cooked ones, everything can go in the soup and taste delicious.
- One of my favorite treats is grilled asparagus with lemon. Toss the asparagus in olive oil, grill or pan fry until tender and drizzle with butter and lemon. The butter should come from grass fed cows. Salt and pepper to taste. You can even sprinkle a little Parmesan.
- Introduce your family to spaghetti squash. It’s so simple to make and hundreds of ways to serve it. Cut in half, clean out the seeds and lightly coat with olive oil. Roast for approximately 40 minutes and serve with tomato sauce, roasted broccoli, mozzarella and some fresh basil for a delicious and healthy taste.