Month: March 2019

Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives: Healthier Options for Dairy-Free Diets

Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives: Healthier Options for Dairy-Free Diets

  Aside from the fact that I’m lactose intolerant, I’ve learned that dairy products are high in saturated fat and cause inflammation in the body. Cow milk and its derivative products can also raise your LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels and potentially put you at Read more

Air-Fried Garlic Lamb Chops: A Quick and Flavorful Dinner

Air-Fried Garlic Lamb Chops: A Quick and Flavorful Dinner

These lamb chops can be ready in as little as 15 minutes!  Use an air fryer to make this simple garlic lamb chop recipe that’s delicious as it is quick and healthy.

Spinach & Cheese Omelet: A Quick and Nutritious Breakfast

Spinach & Cheese Omelet: A Quick and Nutritious Breakfast

When it comes to starting your day off on the right foot, a Spinach & Cheese Omelet is one of the best ways to fuel up. It’s the perfect blend of simplicity, flavor, and nutrition that satisfies both your taste buds and your body’s needs. Whether you’re whipping it up before heading out the door or savoring it with your morning coffee, this omelet delivers a satisfying balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Why a Spinach & Cheese Omelet?

Eggs are one of the most versatile and nutritious foods you can eat. Packed with high-quality protein and essential vitamins like B12 and D, eggs provide energy and help maintain muscle mass. But when you pair them with vibrant, leafy spinach and the creamy richness of mozzarella cheese, you elevate the classic omelet to a nutrient-dense breakfast that’s incredibly satisfying.

This omelet is quick to make, perfect for those busy mornings when you want something substantial but don’t have a lot of time. It’s also adaptable—whether you follow a vegetarian, keto, or gluten-free lifestyle, this recipe fits right in.

The Nutritional Benefits of Spinach

Spinach is a superfood that adds a boost of nutrition to any meal. It’s loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron, which help support your immune system, skin health, and energy levels. Plus, spinach is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a great way to add volume to your meals without the extra calories.

In this omelet, the spinach wilts down beautifully and infuses the eggs with a mild, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the cheese. Not only does it taste amazing, but it’s also a great way to sneak in extra vegetables at breakfast, setting the tone for a healthy day ahead.

Why Add Scallions and Turmeric?

Scallions bring a delicate onion flavor to the omelet, adding just the right amount of freshness without overpowering the other ingredients. They also provide a nice crunch, giving the omelet a more dynamic texture.

Turmeric is another key ingredient that often gets overlooked in breakfast recipes. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric gives the omelet a warm, golden hue and subtle earthy taste. Turmeric has been shown to support brain health and reduce inflammation, so it’s a great addition to your morning meal.

Plus, combining turmeric with the natural fats in eggs and butter enhances its absorption, meaning your body can more easily benefit from its health properties.

The Role of Mozzarella Cheese

Who doesn’t love a little melted cheese in their breakfast? Mozzarella is the cheese of choice in this recipe, offering a mild, milky flavor that complements the spinach and eggs without overpowering the dish. It melts quickly, creating a creamy texture that makes each bite satisfying.

Mozzarella is also a source of calcium, supporting strong bones and teeth. If you’re looking for a lower-fat option, you can opt for part-skim mozzarella, or even leave out the cheese altogether for a dairy-free version.

Making the Perfect Omelet

The secret to a fluffy, tender omelet lies in the technique. By cooking the spinach first and then folding it into the eggs, you ensure the vegetables retain their vibrant color and avoid overcooking. This also helps to distribute the spinach evenly throughout the omelet, giving each bite the perfect balance of flavors.

Cooking the omelet slowly over medium heat is key to preventing it from becoming rubbery or overcooked. A little patience goes a long way—letting the eggs set before flipping allows for a nice, even cook and ensures the cheese melts perfectly inside.

Customizing Your Omelet

One of the best things about an omelet is how easy it is to customize. While this version keeps things simple with spinach, cheese, and scallions, you can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your preferences.

  • Add more veggies: Bell peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes would all be fantastic additions to this omelet, bringing extra texture and flavor. Just sauté them with the spinach for a few minutes before adding them to the egg mixture.
  • Protein boost: If you’re looking for extra protein, consider adding cooked ham, smoked salmon, or even a plant-based alternative like tofu.
  • Different cheeses: While mozzarella is creamy and mild, you can switch it out for sharp cheddar, feta, or goat cheese for a more intense flavor.
  • Herbs and spices: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or cilantro can add a burst of flavor to the omelet. You can also experiment with different spices like paprika or cumin for a different flavor profile.

Quick, Healthy, and Delicious

The Spinach & Cheese Omelet is more than just a breakfast staple—it’s a quick, nutritious meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Whether you’re looking for a post-workout meal, a light lunch, or a protein-packed dinner, this omelet fits the bill.

Its simple ingredients mean you can make it with items you likely already have in your fridge, and the whole process takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish. For busy individuals who want a healthy, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen, this omelet is the perfect solution.

Pairing Suggestions

While this omelet is satisfying on its own, you can also pair it with a few simple sides to make it even more of a complete meal:

  • Avocado slices: Creamy avocado complements the flavors of the spinach and cheese and adds a healthy dose of heart-healthy fats.
  • Toast: Serve the omelet with a slice of whole-grain toast or your favorite low-carb bread for some extra fiber and texture.
  • Fruit: A side of fresh fruit like berries, melon, or a citrus salad can provide a refreshing contrast to the savory omelet.

Enjoy a flavorful and nutrient-packed Spinach & Cheese Omelet the next time you need a quick, wholesome meal. With its balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, you’ll stay satisfied and energized for hours.

 

Spinach & Cheese Omelet

A quick and easy egg recipe you can make in five minutes Enjoy this healthy breakfast omelet with a few slices of bacon, buttered toast, and a nice cup of coffee.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup baby spinach leaves
  • 1 tablespoon tbsp butter or vegan spread
  • 1 stalk scallion
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper & turmeric
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

  • Crack eggs into a medium bowl, add seasonings, diced scallions, and whisk. Set aside.
  • Heat a nonstick skillet over medium and add 1 T butter.
  • Add spinach leaves to heated butter and cook until wilted. Add diced scallions, stir and heat through.
  • Remove spinach and scallions from heat and add to the egg mixture. Whisk to combine.
  • Add the other tablespoon of butter to the skillet and heat till melted.
  • Pour eggs, spinach, and scallion mixture into skillet and let cook for 20-30 seconds.
  • Add shredded cheese over top of eggs if using. Cook for another 20 seconds.
  • Gently flip the omelet over and cook until done.
Keyword daily, easy, quick
No-Bake Date Fudge: Easy and Healthy Sweet Treat

No-Bake Date Fudge: Easy and Healthy Sweet Treat

This no-bake date fudge takes about 30 minutes to set up but uses just a few healthy ingredients. This quick and healthy confection is paleo-compatible and chock-full of satisfying fiber and yummy chocolate.

Sugar Alternatives for Diabetics: Sweeteners that Won’t Spike Blood Sugar

Sugar Alternatives for Diabetics: Sweeteners that Won’t Spike Blood Sugar

  I have struggled with weight throughout my adult life, and being fond of all things chocolate has not helped me on that journey at all! Diabetes is prevalent in my family, and I am determined not to become its next victim. Yet, I still Read more

Healthy Diet Meal Ideas: Delicious Recipes for Every Day

Healthy Diet Meal Ideas: Delicious Recipes for Every Day

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or you’re on a restricted diet, it can become very difficult to come up with tasty meal ideas every day of the week. Trust me I know – you’re on a diet or you want to eat healthy but there’s only so much salad you can eat amirite?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. I have a few tried and true healthy diet meal ideas that you can mix and match to come up with well-rounded and delicious meals any day of the week.

This post is the first in a series that will focus on healthy diet meal ideas and recipes that fit various lifestyles like keto/low carb, paleo, and vegan/vegetarian. Today we’ll present a full day’s worth of meals and snack ideas that will work for different diets and lifestyles.


Breakfast

As we all know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s the fuel that revs our metabolism and gets us ready for the day. All too often, too many of us do not take the time to have, much less, enjoy this loveliest of meals!

I’ve already made several posts about quick and healthy recipes for breakfast and for dinner. These posts contain many versatile ideas that can serve as a go-to for any meal. I won’t go through those again, but I’ll just add a few more ideas in this post in the form of a meal for a day. Breakfast coming up!

  • Oatmeal & Banana/Berries (omnivore, vegan, suitable for hypertensives)

This is a quick breakfast that hits a few essential health points. It’s full of a soluble fiber found in oatmeal that helps to lower cholesterol and keep you full for hours. The banana adds potassium, carbs to keep you full and a hint of sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth.

If you’re using berries instead of the bananas, you will have a bit fewer calories and higher anti-oxidant benefits. You can also lower the calorie content of this breakfast idea by making the oatmeal with water. If calories are not a factor, make your oatmeal with a vegan milk of choice for a creamier more satisfying oatmeal.

If you want a bit more sweetness, use a sugar-free sweetener. I prefer monk sweet with stevia but there are lots of other choices out there, use the one you like.

Snack(s)

In my opinion, it’s best to forego snacks and instead enjoy three main meals every day. However, I know that there will be times when we can’t have a main meal and only have time for a small snack to keep us going until the next meal.

The following snacks are deceptively simple but chock-full of nutrients that many of us may miss in our regular diet. First up:

  • Raw Nuts (vegan, paleo, keto, omnivore, etc.)

Nuts are one of the most energy-dense foods you can consume. They are full of healthy fats that can keep you full for hours. Different nuts have different nutritional profiles, so it’s best to get a mix. Brazil nuts, for example, contain high amounts of selenium, fiber, and protein.

Have between 5 to 7 tablespoons of raw nuts at most once every day – This is enough to sustain you for 3 to 4 hours until your next meal.

  • Berries & Cheese (keto, paleo, diabetic-friendly)

Berries provide a nice punch of sweetness and cheese rounds out their sweetness with a savory creamy component. The berries are anti-oxidant rich, contain resveratrol, are fiber-rich, and full of vitamin C. The cheese is calcium-rich, contains good levels of protein to fill you up and best of all is delicious.

Have a handful of any berries or a mix of your favorite ones. Enjoy no more than an ounce or two of your favorite cheese.

Lunch

After breakfast, lunch should be your next heaviest meal of the day. This meal should be a balanced one – a protein source that’s about the size of your palm, ideally a moderate amount of complex carbs, and half a plate of vegetables, ideally the green, leafy kind.

Since this site is about providing quick and healthy meals, these lunch ideas will be just that – quick to make and healthy for you.

  • Chicken & Vegetable Wrap (depending on wrap, maybe keto, paleo, and omnivore friendly)

A wrap is one of the most portable and versatile meals available. You can purchase pre-made white meat chicken from brands like Purdue, Trader Joe’s, Applegate Farms, etc. or just cook your own by seasoning and cooking strips of seasoned chicken breast meat in a bit of olive oil.

You can also use a store-bought wrap but as always, make sure the ingredients are few and healthy. I like to make my own wrap or tortilla from einkorn flour. Butter or romaine lettuce leaves can also serve as a low carb wrap option.

Assemble your wrap by smearing your tortilla or wrap of choice with condiment(s) of choice – Mayo, mustard, etc. Next, add a layer of mesclun veggies then your chicken strips. You can embellish with as many healthy toppings as you like. For example, a bit of shredded cheese for a flavor and protein boost and avocado for healthy, filling unsaturated fats.

Enjoy your wrap with a refreshing soda and lime or water.

  • Anything Goes Salad (omnivore, keto, paleo, dash, etc.)

There is no meal more versatile than the simple salad. Using a great variety of green leafy vegetables for a base, the humble salad can be loaded with healthy and delicious toppings to create a satisfying meal.

I like to use mesclun greens as the base for my salads, but you may use iceberg, romaine, kale or any kind of green that suits your fancy. Now for the toppings for our salad – anything goes here, so raid your pantry or fridge for any of these:

  • Boiled eggs
  • Olives
  • Cooked beans/Chickpeas
  • Tuna/Salmon/Chicken/Beef
  • Avocado
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Artichoke hearts
  • Cheese (all types)
  • Nuts (all types)

This is by no means an exhaustive list of toppings, the sky’s the limit. You can make an anything-goes salad on any given day mixing and matching healthy toppings for limitless possibilities.

Be sure to always stick to simple salad dressings like lemon juice, vinegar, oil, etc. If you prefer store-bought dressings, just be sure they have whole, simple ingredients.

You can pre-make your anything-goes salad ahead of time to take to work the next day. Using a compartmentalized serving dish helps to keep things in order and fresh.


Dinner

The last meal of the day – dinner. I don’t think many of us put much thought into what to make for dinner. Especially if you work a 9 to 5, have a family, and have to make dinner every night.

Dinner need not be as heavy as breakfast or lunch. A serving of healthy protein alongside healthy vegetable sides is all you need at the end of the day.

I have already posted some quick and healthy dinners here, but I’ll offer a couple more ideas in this post as well. These will not be full-fledged recipes, but rather a brief list of ideas you can whip up in no time flat.

  • Air-fried garlic Lamb Chops (paleo, keto, omnivore)

This meal can be ready in as little as 15 minutes! If you’ve been reading this blog, you know that my air-fryer puts in heavy duty throughout the week. It is truly a miraculous cooking tool. I use my air fryer to make this simple garlic lamb chop recipe that’s delicious as it is quick and healthy.

To make this dish, simply mince 3 cloves of garlic and rub the paste over both sides of 2 (or more depending on the size of your family) lamb chops that have been sprayed with cooking spray – shoulder or loin cuts are good.

Next, add dried rosemary, salt, and pepper to both sides of lamb chops. Sprinkle a few drops of Worcestershire sauce over each side as well. Air-fry at 380 – 400 for 6 to 8 minutes per side depending on how rare you like your lamb.

Pair the lamb chops with any sides you like. I sometimes pair them with cauliflower fried rice, slices of avocado, or a refreshing salad. Use your imagination and what’s in your fridge and pantry.

  • Pan-Seared Spiced Steak (omnivore, paleo, keto)

Believe it or not, you can enjoy a nice steak for a mid-week dinner without the need for a grill and a lot of time. This recipe is extremely simple and straightforward – the only caveat is you have the necessary spices on hand.

The secret to this easy and delicious steak is garam masala. Garam masala is a blend of Indian spices – most notably coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, fennel, nutmeg and clove.

Make sure your steak is fully thawed before you begin. Next, apply a thin layer of olive oil to your steaks add salt and the garam masala to taste on both sides of your steak.

Sear steaks in a hot cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Depending on the thickness of your steak and how rare you like it, let the steak cook for 3-5 minutes per side.

Enjoy with a side of garlic mashed potatoes or roasted Brussels sprouts.

Preparation – The Secret to Creating Healthy Diet Meals

I hope I’ve shown by now that creating quick and healthy meals is not impossible or daunting. The secret to creating a variety of healthy meals is in preparation. Preparing for each week’s meals in advance will put you at great advantage when you actually make them.

Depending on your WOE, go grocery shopping for appropriate proteins, vegetables, spices, and healthy pre-made sides on Saturday. Portion out and freeze all proteins for each family member in advance.

When ready to prepare your meals for each weekday, simply pull out the amount of protein you need from the freezer and place it in the fridge to thaw out overnight. Cook the next evening using one of our easy recipes and/or pairing it with any healthy sides you enjoy.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of our meal ideas in the comments!