An Easy Way to Lighten Up Your Everyday Meals

An Easy Way to Lighten Your Everyday Meals that's super versatile and helps keep things healthy and super delicious!

Every now and then, I say to Scott despairingly, "we'll NEVER be thin!". It's difficult to keep our weight in a range where we feel good and our clothes fit comfortably because, as you probably know, I LOVE to bake and cook. And whether it's a new baked good, salad dressing, dinner idea, jam or jelly recipe, there's ALWAYS something to taste-test. That doesn't bode well when we go to step on the scale.

To keep things in check, I have a little trick I often use to help lighten our everyday meals. When we're not testing a meal recipe, I like to pull out our recipe for Juicy, Tender Chicken Breasts on the Stovetop when dinner time draws near. I always keep a stash of individually wrapped/sealed chicken breasts in the freezer that can be quickly thawed. This super easy recipe yields delicious results with minimal effort in way less than 30 minutes.

I pair these lean, tender chicken breasts with one of the salads listed below and we have a fabulous dinner that helps balance out all that taste-testing. I've found that guests also enjoy a light, fresh healthy meal like this. Since so many of us are trying to lighten things up a bit after the delicious, but indulgent holiday season, I thought this might be a helpful post right now.

All of these salads are loaded with fresh, seasonal veggies and would make a wonderful complete meal when paired with the flavorful chicken breasts. If you feel like splurging a bit, add a loaf of warm, crusty bread or a basket of delicious brioche rolls.

This Cranberry Clementine Arugula Salad also includes butter-toasted pecans, candied bacon, ruby-red pomegranate seeds, and a delicious Honey-Cider Poppy Seed Dressing.

 

This healthy Roasted Veggie and Crispy Chickpea Salad combines crispy, spicy chickpeas, caramelized veggies, Israeli couscous, buttery, toasted pine nuts and a generous shower of fresh herbs. It makes a delicious side or a fabulous main course!

 

This Orange Fennel Watercress Salad with Lemon Ginger Poppyseed Dressing is a heavenly combination of fresh, beautiful, seasonal ingredients!

 

 

This delicious Pomegranate Pear Kale Salad is loaded with fresh, healthy ingredients. The simple, vibrant lemon dressing ties it all together.

 

A delicious twist on broccoli salad that's wonderful all year round! This Watercress (or Arugula) Grape Broccoli Salad is perfect alongside any entree, burgers, grilled sandwiches or on its own!

 

Granny Smith and Fennel Arugula Salad A beautiful, delicious, seasonal salad – the perfect way to add a fresh touch to all those winter, comfort meals!

 

Fresh, healthy and loaded with fabulous flavor, this Clementine Avocado Spinach Salad is a delicious way to celebrate the season!

 

Should you avoid Italian food if you're trying to eat healthier? Nope! This fabulous Slow Roasted Ancient Grain Salad is loaded with all the delicious flavors of Italy minus the refined carbs and high-calorie counts!

 

Last but not least, this Warm Chicken and Roasted Potato Salad recipe already has the Juicy Tender Chicken Breasts included. It's is fresh, healthy and loaded with delicious seasonal flavor!

 

Thought for the day:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:13

What we're listening to for inspiration:

I Will Carry You

 

If you enjoy any of these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.