Even if you love to cook, sometimes, it’s nice to have a little extra time to yourself instead of spending a good chunk of your day wracking your brain for healthy meals for your family — and whipping them up in the kitchen.
Here are a few healthy options that take virtually no time to prepare and allow you to kick back and relax before digging into a delicious meal.
Turkey Mega Meatloaf
- 2 lbs. lean ground turkey
- 4 egg whites (or 2 whole eggs)
- 1 cup of medium or spicy salsa
- ½ cup of uncooked rolled oats
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed meal
- ½ cup ketchup
- garlic powder and pepper to taste
- ½ cup ketchup
The “mega” in this meatloaf comes from the omega 3s found in the ground flaxseed meal that helps bind this meatloaf together and give it some texture. (Note: It’s very important that your flaxseed is ground, otherwise, you will not be able to fully absorb all of the nutrients these little grains pack.)
The preparation for this meatloaf is extremely simple and clocks in at under 5 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except for the ketchup in a large bowl and mix well. Spoon the mixture into a large loaf pan and cover with ketchup. Cover the loaf with tinfoil and bake for 1 hour.
Adding salsa to this mixture is a great — and quick — way to avoid having to mince peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It also helps keep the meatloaf moist while baking and adds some extra spice.
Carrot Ginger Slow Cooker Soup
- 2 cups of baby carrots
- 1 medium sized sweet potato or yam (peeled and cubed)
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 inch chunk of peeled, grated fresh ginger root
- 1 clove minced garlic
- Spices to taste: cumin, cinnamon, dill, chili powder, and nutmeg
(Note: The measurements in this recipe are for use with a 1 quart. slow cooker, but can easily be doubled or tripled to accommodate the size of your own slow cooker at home.)
Throwing some ingredients into a slow cooker is a great way to prepare a healthy meal for your family and squeeze in some “me time” while your soup or stew simmers. This spicy veggie soup is rich in beta carotine and is both gluten-free and vegan-friendly, too, for kids and families with special dietary considerations.
Place all ingredients in your slow cooker and set it to “high.” Allow your veggies to simmer for 2-4 hours (depending on your cooker’s settings) until soft. Let your soup cool slightly before ladling small batches of the mixture into a blender, pureeing a little at a time until it becomes a thick, creamy soup.
Choco-Banana-Peanut Butter Protein Shake
- 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
- 8 oz. water
- ½ sliced banana
- 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter
- 3-4 ice cubes
The beauty of this recipe lies within its versatility. It can be made into a breakfast beverage that combines protein with potassium or an after-dinner treat. You can also omit either the banana or peanut butter and still wind up with a yummy, drinkable dessert.
Simply toss all ingredients into a blender, puree, serve in a tall glass with a straw and enjoy!
Author Bio:
Ben and the Nutraplanet team have a goal of helping people make healthy choices in order to lose weight and improve results from working out.
