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20 Healthy Recipes to Kick Off 2016

There are many different ways to define a “healthy” recipe. Maybe you’re all about low carb, or low fat, high protein or vegan or vegetarian. Maybe you’re just backing away from the overabundance of rich foods you may have indulged in over the holidays and want to get back to a more balanced way of eating. I’ve rounded up 20 Healthy Recipes to get you started and they all have at least one health redeeming quality :)

20 healthy recipes breakfast

Spinach Feta Egg White Cups – This is my go to high protein breakfast choice. The spinach is wonderful, but 99% of the time, I just add the feta. It only takes a couple of minutes to prep and you can make them ahead and have breakfast ready and waiting when you wake up. I love serving them with a whole grain English muffin.
Avocado Toast – A favorite breakfast addition for my whole family. Skip the butter that I love to add and pick a delicious whole grain toast and you’ll be good to go!

20 healthy recipes breakfast

Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal – This is a great choice for oatmeal lovers. It’s hearty and the pumpkin spice is warm and comforting on a cold winter day. It’s also another make ahead breakfast option.
Whole Wheat Butternut Squash Pancakes – If you love pancakes for breakfast, this is a great whole grain option with the addition of squash, which is chock full of good things. If you love pumpkin pancakes, these are a close friend. Forgo the buttery topping for a healthier option.
Whole Wheat Gingerbread Pancakes – I know the holidays are over, but who wouldn’t love to wake up to gingerbread pancakes in January? Whole grain, full of delicious spice and yeah, if you want to be good, save the lemon curd whipped cream for another day :)
Whole Wheat Buttermilk Banana Nut Muffins – A delicious whole grain option for muffin lovers. I like to serve them with low fat cottage cheese or greek yogurt on the side for extra protein.

20 healthy recipes main dish meals

Morrocan Chicken – This is the most savory and mouthwatering chicken! I like it grilled and while I realize it is now January in the Northeast, rest assured that I will light up the grill to make this chicken regardless of the weather. If you’re not an all season griller, earmark this one for the future!
Raspberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken – If you don’t want to light up the grill, this recipe is an easy one that you can make on the stove top. Sweet from the raspberries and tangy from the balsamic, this recipe is a great choice to add to your chicken rotation.
Asian Peanut Chicken Slaw – Buy pre-shredded carrots and cabbage then chop a few extra veggies.(I even buy pre-cooked roasted chicken for this one.) Throw it in a large bowl and toss it with some spicy peanut dressing. Eat it alone or over a bowl of hot steamed rice and you’ve got yourself dinner! Or lunch!

20 healthy recipes quinoa

Italian Quinoa Patties – A flavorful quinoa option with protein from the quinoa and the eggs. Perfect served with a side salad.
One Pan Southwestern Quinoa – Another great quinoa option, but this one is flavored with cumin and chili powder and other warm spices. Easy one pan option and great when you’re in the mood for chili but want a meatless option (It’s also vegan friendly.)

20 healthy recipes appetizers

Southwestern Eggrolls with Creamy Avocado Sauce – More great Southwestern flavor here, lightened up by being baked instead of fried. You’re going to want to drink the dipping sauce, it’s so good. You can lighten the sauce up easily by using low fat mayo and low fat or non fat sour cream or even yogurt. Aaaand, if you don’t drink it, that would probably be good too ;)
Pico de Gallo – I love this stuff! Lots of fresh flavor with healthy avocado, tomatoes and limes. Make a bowl and eat it with baked tortilla chips, or serve it with your Mexican inspired meals. I love making a salad and then just topping it with this instead of dressing. Also tasty as a sandwich topper. Delish!

20 healthy recipes main dish

Sausage Lentil Rice Soup – The weather is finally cooling down and there’s nothing like a bowl of hearty soup to warm you up on a chilly day. This one is double protein packed from the sausage and the combination of lentils and brown rice. It’s a great soup that’s hearty enough to be considered a stew. Substitute chicken sausage for a lighter choice.
Roasted Vegetable Pasta – This is a great way to get in lots of veggies! Roast them up and heap a pile on top of some protein or fiber rich pasta. Add some freshly grated romano cheese and you’ve got an easy and flavorful meatless meal.

20 healthy recipes rice

Cilantro Lime Rice – You know it. You love it. It’s easy to make at home. Do it.
Perfectly Fluffy Brown Rice – Truly fool proof fluffy brown rice. Seriously. You can’t burn this or ruin it. Well, I suppose you could, but it’s really so easy that I doubt you ever will.
Perfect White Rice – No need to fear making rice. This no measuring cup method makes a great pot every time.

20 healthy recipes desserts

Skinny Apple Pie Wontons – Now this is a fun way to indulge in a less guilty treat. One has less than 65 calories, the other has less than 35 calories. I know, I know...that means we can have more than one!
Brownie Bark – This was my first post on the blog but I never told you it was only about 113 calories for a square of its chocolatey deliciousness. (What was I thinking?!?) It’s also low in fat…but okay, not low in sugar. That’s why we call it a “treat.” And I only promised a minimum of one redeeming quality in each recipe and this has two. ;)

So there you have it, 20 Healthy Recipes to get you inspired to cook for a healthy new year. I know there’s a least one on the list that’s screaming “Ooh, make me, make me!” to you. And, hey, if it happens to be the Brownie Bark, I promise not to judge :)

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