It’s easy to eat healthy and keep the flavor. Part of my eat well goal is to try a new recipe each week, and you’ll see the benefits here: my favorite recipes will help you make the most of your meal planning and preparation. Remember, it’s always OK to adjust recipes based on your taste preferences and healthy-eating focus. Enjoy!

Main Dish: Capellini Caprese

Recipe Tips: Add Grilled or Blackened Chicken to the recipe for additional protein, add Parmesan cheese for additional flavor.  I’ve substituted most kinds of pasta for Capellini, with delicious results. Canned Tomatoes and dried basil also work well as adjustments in the recipe. I don’t add garlic to our recipe (not a fan of garlic).

Bread: Hawaiian Bread (for the Bread Machine)

Recipe Tips: I make a double batch of this recipe, form the dough into rolls and IQF half of the recipe so I’m able to use it later at a moment’s notice.  I limit my yeast intake, so I only eat homemade bread.

Dessert/Snack: Fruit Smoothie

Recipe Tips: I love smoothies and it’s so easy to make them tasty and healthy.  I add frozen fruit, ice, juice or milk and blend in my blender until pureed.  Our favorites are strawberry, banana and orange juice smoothies.  Smoothies are great for fruit that is too mushy to eat (I save it in a ziploc bag in the freezer until the next time we’re making smoothies, then it counts as your ice too!).  You can also add yogurt to the smoothie or a small pinch of sugar for additional sweetness.  All measurements are to taste, but start with the frozen fruit in the blender.

Recommended Smoothie Recipe:

• 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen (I prefer frozen)
• 2 medium bananas or mango equivalent, fresh or frozen (I prefer frozen)
• 1-2 cups of Orange Juice, I’ve sometimes scooped out frozen and just added water, no need to pre-mix
• 1/2 cup of Ice
• 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
• 1 cup yogurt, optional

Blend all ingredients in blender.  Make sure you have enough liquids, the more you add the smoother it will be.

Eat Well Archive: March 2013