Healthy Dishes

Easy and Healthy Shredded Chicken

~ Marlee And Christie ~ Leave a comment

We love chicken! Why? Because it’s so versatile, you can make grilled chicken, fried chicken, baked chicken, chicken wings, chicken thighs, chicken tenders, shredded chicken, you get the idea… you can use chicken in almost any dish!

Today’s recipe is super easy, and super healthy! We like to make a batch on Sunday’s and use it through out the week.

What’s great about this recipe is you don’t have to use marinara, it’s really a flexible dish and you can use all different kinds of seasoning! You can use this chicken on salads, burritos, tamales, sandwiches, soups, virtually anything you can think of, you can eat this chicken with.

Easy Shredded Chicken

Easy Shredded Chicken

Easy Shredded Chicken 

Ingredients 

  • 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 Cup Marinara Sauce
  • 1 Onion (Sliced)
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Rosemary or Rosemary Salt
  • 1/2 Chicken Broth (Or Water)
  • Garlic Salt

Step 1:

Rinse and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

Step 2: 

Season both sides of the chicken with garlic salt (or any salt of your choosing.)

Step 3: 

In your crockpot, cover the bottom with marinara sauce. Put about half of the onions at the bottom on top of the marinara. Then place the seasoned chicken onto the onions. Cover with the rest of the marinara, onions, rosemary salt, and half a cup of chicken broth.

Step 4: 

Set the crockpot to high and cover and cook for 3.5 to 4 hours.  

Easy Shredded Chicken

Healthy “Gumbo” Inspired Rice Bowl

~ Marlee And Christie ~ Leave a comment

Happy Friday followers! We hope you had a good week, and even better morning! One of the first recipes we posted was our Zucchini and Onion Rice Bowl, and today’s recipe is another rice bowl! But this time it’s gumbo inspired!

We love a good Gumbo but sometimes you don’t have the time to make a traditional gumbo so this is a great and healthy alternative.

Don’t forget to follow us here, on Facebook, and Instagram! 

Healthy Gumbo Rice Bowl

Healthy Gumbo Rice Bowl

Healthy “Gumbo” Inspired Rice Bowl 

Ingredients 

  • 1lb Ground Chicken
  • 1 Green Pepper (Roughly Chopped)
  • 2 Red Peppers (Roughly Chopped)
  • 1 White Onion (Roughly Chopped)
  • Creole Seasoning
  • 1 Cup Uncooked Rice
  • Olive Oil
  • 2 Cups Chicken Broth or Water
  • Worcestershire

**You can also add two links of your favorite sausage (cooked) during Step 5!

Step 1: 

In a small saucepan bring two cups of chicken broth or water to a boil. Remove from the heat. (If using water, season was salt)

Step 2: 

In the same saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil and toast the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the heated broth, raise the heat and bring to a boil.

Step 3:

Once the water is boiling, stir once, reduce the heat, and cover the rice. Cook for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat, and set aside.

Step 4: 

In a large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is nice and hot add the ground chicken. Season with a little salt and pepper and a couple splashes of worcestershire. Brown the chicken and once finished, remove from the pan and keep the juices with it.

Step 5: 

In the same pan (no need to clean it) heat one more tablespoon of olive oil. Add your chopped onions and peppers. Season liberally with your creole seasoning. When the vegetables are tender but not soft, add your rice, the ground chicken (with the juices) and mix together. If needed, add more creole seasoning.

Healthy Gumbo Rice Bowl

Minestrone Soup

~ Marlee And Christie ~ Leave a comment

Minestrone is a very versatile soup that doesn’t have a strict ingredients list; you just need to cover the basics and go with whats in season (or what you have). Basic formula: vegetables, broth, beans, and tomatoes. Usually the tomatoes in the soup thicken it so it’s a hearty meal.

When we were making this, we didn’t expect it to taste this amazingly authentic, but clearly we have some Italian blood somewhere, even if we had to transfuse some into our veins while we were in Italy. Our souls are little Italian Grandmas or Nonnas.

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 small onions
  • 4-5 carrots, rough chop
  • 2-3 stalks of celery
  • 2 cup of green beans, pieces
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
  • chicken broth
  • white wine
  • Italian seasonings
  • rosemary salt
  • olive oil
  • butter

Step 1:

Heat enough olive oil to coat the pot and the butter. Let butter melt and wait until it’s done foaming.

Step 2:

For this next step you will follow this pattern with each ingredient: add, mix, sauté for a minute. Onions, carrots, green beans, celery, and garlic. Make sure everything is incorporated then season with salt  (we used our rosemary salt) and pepper.

Step 3:

Add some white wine and continue cooking for 5 minutes.

Step 4:

Add crushed tomatoes and Italian seasonings, and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 5:

Next, you will pour in enough chicken broth to make it from a sauce to thick soup consistency, it’s up to your liking how thick or thin it is. We put in about a cup.  Let the soup simmer together for 10-15 minutes, then it’s ready to eat!

Rainbow Smoothie

~ Marlee And Christie ~ Leave a comment

Happy Monday!

Are you having a case of the Mondays? Do you need an afternoon pick me up? Then our rainbow smoothie is for you! Packed full of fruit and protein, this smoothie will not only keep cool it’s super hydrating and can give you the perfect push to get you through the afternoon!

Rainbow Smoothie

Rainbow Smoothie  Ingredients 

  • 1 Cup Frozen Blueberries
  • 1/2 Cup Fresh Raspberries
  • 1/2 Cup Frozen Pineapple
  • 1/2 Cup Frozen Mango
  • 1/2 Cup Frozen Peaches
  • 1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Milk
  • 1 Cup Pineapple Flavored Coconut Water
  • 1/2 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder

Step 1:  Put the blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, mangos, peaches, coconut milk and water in the blender. Blend on low for one minute.

Step 2:  After a minute,switch the blender to high and add the protein powder. Blend for two minutes.

Step 3:  Pour into a glass and enjoy. Save the extra for the next day, or share with someone you love…

Red & Yellow Smoothie

~ Marlee And Christie ~ Leave a comment

After a night out of partying, the best way to start your Saturday is by making our Red & Yellow Smoothie. Packed full of fruit and protein, you can’t go wrong.

Also, coconut water is AWESOME. Do you know how many benefits it has?

  • It aids in weight loss.
  • Helps with blemished skin (working from the inside out!).
  • Makes hangovers more bearable by replacing lost electrolytes. 
  • Aids in digestion because it’s packed full of fiber, and can help reduce acid reflux. 
  • Coconut water is the ultimate hydration hack. It’s more powerful than any sports drink or energy drinks. “Coconut water serves as an excellent replacement medium with 294 mg of potassium and 5 mg of natural sugar per glass, unlike your favorite sports drink that only contains half of the potassium content and five times the amount of processed sugar.”
  • It can also help reduce high blood pressure. 

Red and Yellow Smoothie

Red and Yellow Smoothie

Red & Yellow Smoothie 

Ingredients 

  • 1 Cup Frozen Pineapple
  • 1 Cup Fresh Raspberries
  • 1 14oz Container of Pineapple Coconut Water
  • 1/2 Cup Frozen Peaches
  • 1/2 Cup Frozen Strawberries
  • Splash of Orange Juice
  • 3/4 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder

Step 1: 

Put the pineapple, raspberries, peaches, strawberries, juice and water in the blender. Blend on lowest speed for one minute.

Step 2: 

Turn the blender to high, and add the protein powder. Blend for at least two minutes. Pour into cups and enjoy.

Red and Yellow Smoothie

Pasta with Broccoli Marinara

~ Marlee And Christie ~ 2 Comments

Today’s dish is inspired by an Amy’s Kitchen Microwavable Dinner. We don’t normally eat microwavable dinners, but on our road trip, this dish was our best option in the middle of nowhere.

We thought these microwave dinners would taste like cardboard that needed way more salt, because they were gluten free and everything free, but they were surprisingly delicious, that could have been from the fact that we were dying for some healthy food, but either way we made our own version to share with you!

Pasta with Broccoli Marinara

Pasta with Broccoli Marinara

Pasta with Broccoli Marinara 

Ingredients 

  • 1 Jar of your favorite Marinara Sauce
  • 1 Bag Broccoli Florets
  • Half a Red Onion
  • 2 Tablespoons Garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon Dried Basil
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Kosher Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Box Uncooked Pasta

Step 1: 

In a large sauce pan, heat one tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the red onion and sauté for two minutes. Next, add the garlic. Sauté for thirty seconds.

Step 2: 

Add the entire jar of marinara sauce. Next, add the basil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and baking soda. Stir together and reduce the heat to low.

Step 3: 

In a large pot, put the broccoli in and just cover with boiling water. Cook for two to three minutes. Immediately drain the broccoli and place in a ice bath. Refill the pot with water and place on the stove to cook your pasta.

Step 4: 

When the pasta water is boiling, add salt and pinch cayenne pepper (if you’re not a fan of heat, omit the pepper) then add your pasta. Cook according to the box.

Step 5: 

While the pasta is cooking, drain and pat the broccoli dry. Drain the pasta, and return to the pot adding the broccoli and then cover with the warm sauce. Mix until combined and then serve!

Pasta with Broccoli Marinara

Pineapple Power Smoothie

~ Marlee And Christie ~ 2 Comments

After a long weekend, the best way to start your day is to enjoy a nice cold smoothie. And who doesn’t love pineapples? Do you know how many different benefits there are to pineapples?

They prevent colds. They can help straighten your gums. Pineapples have tons of anti-cancer properties, they can boost your immune system, they prevent nausea and have tons of other benefits you can read about here.

Pineapple Power Smoothie

Pineapple Power Smoothie 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cup Frozen Pineapple
  • 1 Cup Vanilla Coconut Milk
  • 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder

Step 1: 

Place the pineapple, coconut milk, and protein powder in a blender. Blend on a low speed to break up ingredients.

Step 2: 

Once slighlty blended, turn the blender to high and blender until smooth. About 1 to 2 minutes.

Pineapple Power Smoothie

Banana Oat Muffins

~ Marlee And Christie ~ Leave a comment

Finally! A non-lemon recipe! Today’s recipe comes from Running with Spoons, and we really, really, really, like this recipe. And it’s kind of healthy so that’s even more awesome.

There’s just something about the words: banana, chocolate and oatmeal that just sounds super comforting, and who doesn’t love healthy comfort food. These muffins are great for a quick morning breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Banana Oat Muffins

Ingredients 

  • 1 Cup Greek Yogurt (Plain)
  • 2 Very Ripe Bananas
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 Cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (Quick is okay as well)
  • 1/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Cup Chocolate Chips
  • Cooking Spray

Step 1:  Preheat your oven to 400°, then line your muffin pan with your cupcake liners. Using your cooking spray, spray the inside of the cupcake liners. I know this step seems weird, but if you don’t, the muffins will stick to the liner. TRUST US. We missed this step the first time we made them. We suggest using Pam Baking, it smells tasty 🙂

Step 2:  Put the bananas, yogurt, eggs, oats, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a blender and blend until everything breaks down and is smooth. Banana Oat Muffins

Don’t be afraid of darker bananas! They have a wonderful banana flavor! Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins

Step 3:  Pour the prepared batter into the cupcake liners. You can also sprinkle the tops of the muffins with more chocolate if you wish. Banana Oat Muffins

Step 4:  Bake for 15-20 minutes. The tops will be set and the toothpick will come out clean. These can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins Banana Oat Muffins

Rustic Roasted Root Vegetables

~ Marlee And Christie ~ Leave a comment

Another healthy favorite in this household is roasted vegetables. You can’t really go wrong with any vegetables your roast, but these are some of our favorites.

Simple, easy, and healthy! You really can’t go wrong, so go forth and roast some veggies!

Rustic Roasted Root Vegetables

Ingredients

  • 1-2 Yams or Sweet Potatoes
  • 2 Carrots
  • 2 Parsnips
  • 1 Medium Onion
  • 2 Large Red Potatoes
  • 21 Season Salute (Trader Joe’s)
  • Kosher Salt
  • Peper
  • Garlic Olive Oil (Plain is fine too)

Step 1: 

Preheat your oven 425°.

Step 2: 

Roughly peel and chop your vegetables and place them on a baking sheet.  Mix together.

Step 3: 

Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables and using your hands, mix together well. Season with the Season Salute, a little kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper.

Step 4: 

Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or vegetables are fork tender. Right before I take them out, we turn on the broiler and leave them for just a couple more minutes to get them nice and crispy.

Rustic Roasted Root Vegetables

Crunchy Oven “Fried” Chicken

~ Marlee And Christie ~ 2 Comments

We used to love fast food, and we ate quite a bit of it especially during the time we graduated high school and graduated college . But as we grew up, and realized that eating fried chicken fingers probably wasn’t the best or healthiest idea and started looking for healthy alternatives.

This recipe is a healthy version of fried chicken fingers, but with less calories and waaaaay more flavor. Yes, it does require more work than going through a drive-thru, but your waist and heart will thank you.

Crunchy Oven “Fried” Chicken

Ingredients 

  • 1 package chicken breast “tenders”
  • 1/2 cup goldfish
  • 8 saltine crackers
  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 3 eggs
  • splash of milk
  • garlic salt
  • pepper
  • garlic powder
  • Olive Oil Spray

Step 1: 

Preheat your oven to 375°.  Cover a baking sheet with tin foil and spray with olive oil spray.

Step 2: 

In a food processor or a plastic ziplock bag pulse the saltines and the goldfish until it makes a crumb like texture. Mix with the bread crumbs in a shallow dish.

Step 3: 

In a medium bowl, beat eggs, milk, a little garlic powder, salt and pepper together.

Step 4: 

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture, and then coat the chicken with the crumbs. For the best results, after you’ve coated the chicken a first time, return to the egg mixture and then back to the crumbs. This will make for extra crunchy chicken! Place on prepared baking sheet.

Step 5: 

Baking the chicken for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°. Let rest for a couple of minutes and then enjoy!