Cooking and Great Danes

As another year approaches, it’s always good to reflect and list out those things that worked well as we get ready for a fresh healthy start. The New Year always makes me pull out those healthy recipes. Including those that can be prepped ahead to make it easier when weeknights get hectic. It ensures that I won’t fall into the “let’s just order out” mentality.

One thing I find important when considering what might be considered “healthy”, is the nutrient content. Living by the concept of “food as fuel”, this becomes even more important. My goal is to focus on nutrient dense foods and recipes, and eliminate processed food as much as possible. Below are my top 15 recipes as the New Year approaches!

15 Healthy Recipes to start the New Year!

Breakfast

Beet Waffles

These are not just your traditional waffles. They are highly nutritious and nutrient dense. The waffles can be made ahead and popped into the toaster for a quick breakfast. Also, they make a great snack when on the run!

Glass bowl filled with granola on a blue and white colored cloth background

Fruit And Nut Granola

Fresh homemade granola is so wonderful, not only because it truly is so easy to make, but you can control what goes in it! The nuts do add healthy fat, however, you can omit or reduce as needed to make this your own.

Dips/Sauces/Spreads

Beet hummus in a ceramic bowl with crackers lining edge of plate under bowl. Small green leaves in background

Roasted Beet Hummus

Beets have so many benefits: helps reduce inflammation, increases blood flow, and so many other great benefits. This recipe makes a great after workout or mid afternoon snack.

Cashew sauce in a glass jar on a wooden surface with whole garlic head and cashews surrounding glass as an accent.

Roasted Garlic Cashew Sauce

Creamy flavorful sauce that replaces heavy cream. The roasted garlic makes this a great cause for pasta, rice, or over vegetables.

Main Dishes

Hearty Cauliflower Skillet

Hearty plant-based weeknight meal. Quick and easy.

Vegan Creamed Asparagus on Toast with Roasted Chick Peas

Nutritious weeknight meal. Make sauce ahead for quicker prep.

Sides/Salads

Lentil salad with chopped tomato and celery in a wooden bowl. Person holding wooden bowl

Lentil Salad

Delicious nutritious side salad. The celery adds a nice crunch and the vinaigrette has a crisp fresh flavor.

Arugula salad with sliced roasted delicata squash in a wooden bowl with wooden serving spoons

Arugula Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash and Balsamic Vinagrette

Arugula is high in vitamins and minerals! Makes for a perfect lunch or as a side salad.

Soups

Roasted tomato soup in a white bowl garnished with sliced fresh green basil. Soup bowl in on a white plate that has a sliced of fresh white bread and fresh basil leaves.

Roasted Tomato and Garlic Soup

Fresh flavorful soup, perfect any season soup!

pureed white soup in a blue bowl on a blue plate with a slice of fresh bread on side of plate. Plate is on a white linen surface with a silver soup spoon to the left of the soup.

Creamy Easy Roasted Cauliflower & Garlic Soup

Nutritious low calorie soup.

Creamy sou[ with chopped green chives on top in a blue bowl with a silver soup spoon on the top left side and fresh bread to side of bowl

Hearty Leek and Potato Soup

Warm healthy soup.

Broccoli soup blended for creaminess with chunks of broccoli and shaved carrots visible on a blue soup bowl. Bowl is on a blue plate with a slice of bread on a white linen surface.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This Broccoli Cheddar Soup replaces the typical heavy cream used in traditional recipes with plant-based milk and cream. And uses less cheddar cheese while not sacrificing flavor!

Dessert

Dessert glass filled with a layer of bright blue chia seed pudding on bottom, layer of white yogurt, then another layer of bright blue pudding, and a layer of white yogurt on top. Glass is on a white linen surface with silver dessert spoon to the left side. Trees in background.

Blue Spirulina Chia Pudding

If your going to have dessert make it worth it with this delicious nutritious brilliantly colorful dessert!

Thick banana cookies with oats stacked on a white linen surface

Healthy Banana Cookies

While this technically is listed as a dessert cookie, it also makes for a great nutritious snack! I love to take these on my bike rides!

Drinks

Blended green smoothie in a clear glass with a wooden straw. Drink glass is on a block on ground with hearty green kale plant in the background.

Fresh Kale and Fruit Smoothie

Get your greens and fruit in one delicious drink!

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