A Healthy You!

The New Year is here! Many people use this fresh start as a motivator to focus on improving their health and wellbeing. This blog post will share some delicious, nutritious recipes that will help you stay on the right track without sacrificing taste!

Kale Salad

Kale is considered a "Beauty" vegetable because it improves skin tone and complexion. It is rich in Vitamins K, A and C, Calcium, fiber, potassium, folate and more. Most people aren't crazy about kale. In fact, I admit, I wasn't a huge fan at first. I have since learned a couple of tricks that help even non-kale lovers (like my husband!) be more than happy to finish off this yummy salad. The first trick is to use Lacinato kale, which is less bitter, and to remove the stems and just use the leaves. The stems are very bitter so removing them helps make the salad more pleasing to picky eaters. Next massage the dressing into the leaves and let it marinade for 10-15 minutes helping to soften the leaves and allow the dressing to soak into the kale. Adding some other super foods to this salad help up the health ante and add even more flavor. Suggestions include cucumber, red bell pepper, raisins, red onion, carrot, and walnuts. Chop all the vegetables and add them to a bowl. You can add a dressing of your choice and allow everything to marinade for a bit before serving. enjoy!!

Balsamic Garlic Green Beans

This dish makes a nice side, or even a quick snack. Everyone who I have made this for says how much they love it! First wash and trim green beans and place on a baking sheet. Chop up fresh garlic and sprinkle over the green beans. Drizzle with oil, bals

amic vinegar, salt and pepper. and mix well with hands. Bake at 400F for about 20-25 minutes until the ends brown a little.

And what kind of person would I be if I didn't share a yummy healthy dessert recipe? A bad kind of person! So here you go!!!!!

Apple Cinnamon Crisp

This apple crisp can be served for breakfast or as a healthy, light dessert. It's so easy to make and tastes just like apple pie minus the crust! Preheat oven to 350F. Slice up 2-3 apples and place in a lightly greased baking pan and sprinkle with 1 tbs of water and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. In a separate bowl combine 1 tsp of cinnamon, 1/4 c brown sugar, 1/6 c flour. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse meal. Mix in 1/2 cup of rolled oats. Sprinkle over apples and cook for 25-30 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream, or opt instead for greek yogurt drizzled with honey for some added protein!

Bon appétit