A Healthy New Year {recipes}

Ahhh…time to take a breather after the holidays 🙂 I know many of you may be gearing up for the new year, and for many people that means a resolution to eat better, lose weight, have a better attitude, etc. I am definitely one of those. I have a cruise in March that is motivating me to shed some unwanted pounds! This month I am planning on sharing some healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert ideas that are figure friendly and don’t make you feel like you need to run a few extra miles after eating them.

First off, a yummy salad sure to please….

Asian Crunch Salad

1 lb. chicken breasts, skinless and boneless

3 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped fine

1 tsp salt and pepper

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 C olive oil

1/4 C fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp grated lime peel

3 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1/4 tsp chili powder

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt and pepper

Combination of shredded Napa Cabbage and baby spinach (about 5-6 cups)

1 C shredded carrots

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 C chopped peanuts

Cut chicken breasts into thin strips. In a bowl combine 3 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp lime juice, 1 Tbsp cilantro, salt and pepper. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes. Heat pan and saute chicken until cooked through. Set aside to cool.

In a bowl mix together the 1/2 C olive oil, 1/4 C lime juice, lime peel, vinegar, chili powder, sugar, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.

In a large bowl, add together cabbage, spinach, carrots, cilantro, chicken and peanuts. Add in dressing mixture and toss.

Recipe Source: Your Home-based Mom

Next, an idea for an easy snack that may help you curb your appetite for ice cream and sweets in the evening, or whenever! I hadn’t even thought of this idea until I saw it a few years ago on a blog, and now it’s the way we prefer our grapes.

Frozen Grapes

Just wash your grapes off well and pat them all the way dry. Place them on a cookie sheet or smaller pan in a single layer and freeze for a couple of hours.

The results are fabulous, the centers get creamy…almost like a sorbet. I prefer red grapes for doing this, but feel free to experiment!

Lastly, here’s a healthy version of a pork chop, without the creamy sauces normally associated with chops. This is packed full of flavor, and won’t leave you feeling stuffed afterward.

Chipotle Lime Pork Chops

Pork Chops marinade (I used 4 boneless ones) :
4 T olive oil
3T fresh lime juice
1T minced garlic
3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce chops with seeds and about a teaspoon adobo sauce
pepper to taste

Marinate at least an hour, overnight would be better.

Grill on medium heat until cooked through (about 12 minutes or so). Works for indoor grill pans as well as an outdoor grill.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!

Britni
http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/