My Favorite Healthy Healing Foods

In My last blog I talked about the many benefits that foods have on the body and how important they are for both your physical and mental health. So, I wanted to share how I ensure that I am feeding myself and my family healthy, nourishing, healing foods and also and share some of my favorite recipes.

Although I love to cook, being a busy working Mom, means I like easy, time saving recipes and snacks. So let’s start with snacks and side dishes. Here are some of my favorite go to’s:

• Fruit – Berries, apples, bananas, grapes
• You can spread fruit with peanut butter, it delicious on apples and bananas
• Blend, freeze and make into popsicles
• Banana ice cream – freeze bananas and then put them in a blender with a little bit of milk until it is the consistency of ice cream You can even add some peanut butter or cocoa powder
• Chocolate dipped berries – Melt dark chocolate and dip berries in it. Allow to harden in the fridge for 1-2 hours
• Baked Apples – Slice an apple and sauté it in a pan with cinnamon, vanilla and a little honey. You can top it with some nuts and or homemade whipped cream
• Fruit Parfaits – Mix fruit with some Greek yogurt, honey and granola or nuts
• Smoothies – Add some berries, maybe a little spinach, yogurt, ice cubes and blend. (You won’t taste the spinach, I promise!)
• Put some banana, milk, chocolate protein powder and peanut butter and blend, add an avocado for extra nutrition

• Veggies –
• Celery – Spread with peanut or almond butter
• Raw veggies – Dip in Hummus
• Carrot, Rutabaga or Turnip fries – Mix your favorite seasonings, I like garlic salt, cumin, chili powder, cut veggies into strips, mix with olive oil and seasoning and toss in the air fryer or oven at 400 degrees until crispy.
• Asparagus – Toss asparagus with some olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and top with parmesan and mozzarella, bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, and it is so delicious!

• Other
• Pipcorn – Take a look at this company that was on Shark Tank. They make popcorn, crackers and chips with less than10 ingredients that are all healthy and taste delicious.pipcorn.com
• Thinsters – In the mood for a cookie? Try Thinsters, they are low in calories and fat and have no artificial ingredients. thinsters.com
• Popcorn – Take a little olive oil pour in a saucepan, add uncooked popcorn, cover and let it pop over the stove on medium high heat. Once done mix with your favorite seasonings. I like salt and pepper or flavor god’s ranch, everything or garlic. flavorgod.com
• Rice cakes – spread with some peanut butter and top with banana for a healthy snack

• Main Dishes
• Ree Drummond’s Sheet pan salad is great for those who like roasted veggies and are looking for a healthy lunch, dinner or side dish: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/sheet-pan-salad-9975602
• Tuna or Chicken Salad – Take some canned tuna or chicken, a little mayonnaise, some capers, caper juice, pickles, pickle juice, carrots, celery, cut up apple, sliced tri-colored cabbage and mix together. Eat with some rice crackers or cut up vegetables
• Salmon – I try to eat salmon once per week. Check out my previous blog post for all of the health benefits salmon has to offer. Wild caught is the healthiest for you. I rub it with olive oil, and Trader Joe’s Citrusy garlic seasoning or everything bagel seasoning, bake on 350 degrees until done and it is delicious.
• Chicken Cacciatore – Add chicken breast to a slow cooker with canned tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, a little red wine, a sliced onion, a sliced pepper and you can even throw in some chicken sausage. Cook on low for 5-7 hours toll chicken is cooked. Serve over chickpea or lentil pasta. Top with basil and parmesan cheese
• Chicken Tikka Masala– Cut chicken into cubes saute in pan with store bought tikka masala sauce and serve over brown rice
• Black Bean and Corn tostadas- These are great for a plant based meal: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/703756177682884/
• Zucchini Lasagna – This is great for getting your veggies in, even if you are not a big veggie fan: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3729612206474555/
• Cauliflower pizza – We like eatcaulipower.com and top it with some uncured pepperoni for an easy weeknight dinner

Here are some swaps and additions to make your meals healthier:

• Pasta – Chickpea or lentil instead of regular white pasta for added protein and nutrition
• Rice – Brown or Wild are the best
• Sweeteners – Honey, Monk fruit or stevia
• Yogurt – Plain Greek and add honey for sweetness
• Flax and chia seeds – Sprinkle over salads, put in smoothies for added protein, omegas, heart brain and gut benefits
• Oil – Use olive oil instead of canola  or and vegetable
• Salsa – Use as a healthy topper for eggs, tacos, potatoes

I hope these ideas help  to add some yummy, healthy and healing ingredients to your diet.

If you would like more information, or to set up a free 15 minute consultation, fill out a contact form on my website at lifeishappiness.org