Healthy Eating in 2014

2014 is in full swing and most of us have resolved to eat better. My family's motto is "anything in moderation," which means no, Brian and I don't eat the, shall we say, more comforting recipes on Bevy everyday. Rather we spread these out over time, and are more likely to eat smaller, lighter, and healthier meals most days.  But certainly we like to treat ourselves.

That said, here are some of my favorite recipes from 2013 that will help us all shed a little bit of that holiday weight. Enjoy!

Breakfast

• Berry Banana Smoothie. Start the day off right with a healthy smoothie. This one is delicious and dairy-free, though you can certainly add a dollop of Greek yogurt (I prefer Greek Gods Honey-Flavored Yogurt). I've also been throwing in a handful of kale recently, a superfood that is almost tasteless but packs a bounty of health benefits.
• Crab Quiche. Want a hearty breakfast that doesn't include bacon, sausage, and isn't drowning in syrup? Try this breakfast quiche with crab meat. Use reduced fat cheeses and ditch the pie crust for a lighter meal, and remember Dr. Oz calls eggs - yolk and all - one of his top ten superfoods.
  

Appetizers

• Caprese Salad. A simple Italian classic.
• Chunky Guacamole. Like kale, avocado is a superfood.  This recipe calls for 2-3 avocados, so, you know, it's pretty super.
• Crisp Cucumber Salsa. Already deemed one of your top three recipes of 2013, it's a great alternative to standard salsa. Keep this one around for the summer!

Salads

• Caesar Salad. With some grilled chicken, this becomes a light and healthy meal. And it's a family secret recipe!
• Gorgonzola Chopped Salad with a Creamy Balsamic Dressing. Brian's favorite addition to the "Salad Monday" rotation.
• Fall Panzanella Salad. This is a great salad for cooler weather, so enjoy it before spring! It calls for beets, which is another superfood.
• Fried Goat Cheese Salad with Pear and Arugula.  Focus on the pear and arugula.

Sides

• Roasted Broccoli (superfood), Roasted Butternut Squash, and Roasted Carrots and Parsnips. You'll want to try this trio of roasted veggies. The latter is even better with a Honey Butter Balsamic Glaze.
• Succotash. Keep this recipe around for summer!
• Zucchini Pomodoro.  This dish is almost like pasta, but it's a vegetable.

Meals

• Baked Salmon with Dill, Mediterranean Salmon, and Tomato Basil Salmon. Salmon is another superfood, so I'm always trying to come up with new ways to prepare it. Use reduced-fat feta in the Med-Salmon recipe for an even lighter meal.
• Basil and Lemon Chicken, Chicken Sausage with Potatoes and Vegetables, Chicken with Shallot and Mustard Cream Sauce, and Spicy Chicken with Guacamole.  Chicken can get old.  Try these four recipes to spice things up.
• Edamame and Quinoa Salad and Southwestern Quinoa Salad.  More superfoods! Two of my favorite quinoa dishes that are perfect for lunches.
• Fish Fillets with Tomatoes, Squash, and Basil and Fish Tacos with Lime-Cilantro Crema.  Introducing more fish into your diet is a great way to go lean.
• Greek Shrimp and Veggie Pasta. Pasta can be heavy.  This isn't.
• Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin. Remember that pork is the other white meat. If you're not used to preparing it, try this recipe as an introduction to the lean alternative to red meat.
• Light Lunch Wraps. Tasty lunch alternative.
• Spiked Chili. Believe it or not, but chili can be very healthy if you choose lean meats and take it easy on the cheese and sour cream toppings. It's chock-full of beans and tomatoes and is an excellent protein-rich meal.
• Turkey and Rice Stuffed Peppers. I often substitute ground beef with ground turkey, and for the most part can't tell the difference. Peppers are yet another superfood.