If eating healthier is a goal for you this year, try a one-for-one swap of something you’re currently eating for something you could eat instead. Make these ahead to bring to the salon, or enjoy them at home.

Replace your afternoon Coke or other soda pop with:

TRIPLE BERRY SPINACH SMOOTHIE

(A great way to sneak spinach into your food plan.)

1 c. orange juice

1 c. frozen blueberries

½ c. frozen strawberries

½ c. frozen raspberries

1½ c. loosely packed spinach

Honey or agave syrup

Ice (optional)

1. Add the orange juice, fruit, and spinach to a blender, and blend on medium-high speed until all the spinach is blended with no visible green specks.

2. Add up to 2 tablespoons of honey or agave syrup if necessary to sweeten.

3. Add ice cubes if desired.

Source: delish.com

Replace your pizza with:

CAULIFLOWER-CRUST SINGLE-SERVE PIZZA

(A little work, but a very healthy pizza!)

1 medium head cauliflower (about 1 lb 12 oz)

1/4 cup finely shredded parmesan (1 oz)

1/4 cup finely shredded mozzarella (1 oz)

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg

1 clove garlic, minced

Topping:

1/2 cup homemade or store-bought pizza sauce, or more or less to taste

1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

Desired toppings, such as fresh grape tomatoes, basil, oregano, olives, mushrooms etc.

1. Place a pizza stone in oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a large piece of parchment paper with non-stick baking spray and set aside.

2. Wash cauliflower, cut off florets, dry thoroughly and add half of the cauliflower to food processor and process until finely chopped, about 30 seconds. Transfer chopped cauliflower to a microwave safe bowl.

3. Add remaining cauliflower to food processor and, again, process until finely chopped, about 30 seconds. Add that cauliflower to bowl with other cauliflower (you should now have about 2 1/2 - 3 cups finely chopped cauliflower).

4. Cover bowl with microwave safe plastic wrap and heat in microwave 4 minutes on HIGH power. Pour cooked cauliflower onto a clean tea towel and allow to cool. Once cauliflower is cool enough to handle, wrap cauliflower in tea towel and wring moisture from cauliflower (about 1/3 cup or so).

5. Return strained cauliflower to bowl, add parmesan and mozzarella cheese, salt, egg, and garlic and toss mixture with your hands until evenly combined.

6. Pat mixture into an even round, about 11 to 12-inches, on prepared parchment paper (keeping it snuggly pressed together). Using a pizza peel, transfer crust on parchment to pizza stone in oven and bake 9-11 minutes, until golden brown.

7. Remove from oven and top with pizza sauce, mozzarella and desired toppings (if using fresh herbs, add them after cooking pizza). Return to oven and bake 5-7 minutes longer until cheese has melted and is slightly golden. Allow to cool several minutes then cut into wedges. Serve warm.

Source: cookingclassy.com

Replace the fast-food hamburger with:

QUINOA PATTIES

(Makes 20 small patties—freeze some for another day.)

1 cup uncooked quinoa (about 2 1/2 cups once cooked)

2 slices whole wheat toast

1/2 onion, chopped

1 cup peas (if frozen, thaw first)

2 tablespoons pesto

1-2 eggs 

1/4 cup flour

salt and pepper to taste

lemon for garnish

1. Cook the quinoa and allow to cool.

2. Toast the bread, and turn into bread crumbs either in a blender or food processor.

3. In a large bowl combine the quinoa, bread crumbs, chopped onion, peas, pesto and eggs. Season generously with salt and pepper, stir to combine and then stir in the flour. Set a bit of extra flour to the side so you can flour your hands as you work on forming the patties.

4. Form each patty to be slightly larger than the palm of your hand. Place them on a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper as you work. Once you form all the patties, pop the whole sheet in the refrigerator for 30 minutes so they can firm and dry out just a little. Wrap and freeze those you don’t plan to eat right away.

5. Add a few teaspoons olive oil to a pan, and cook the patties over medium heat. Lightly press flat with a spatula. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip and press the other side flat. Flip only once or twice more as you cook until they look ready. 

6. Remove and place on a plate lined with paper towels to remove any excess oil before serving. Serve warm with a lemon wedge, and add the fresh lemon juice before eating.

Source: abeautifulmess.com

Replace french fries with:

PAPRIKA PARSNIP BAKED FRIES

(A quick fix to say your goodbyes to greasy fries!)

3 jumbo parsnips, peeled and ends cut off

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 tablespoon paprika

2 hefty pinches of sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Peel parsnips and slice into fries.

3. Mix parsnips, coconut oil and paprika, and place in large roasting pan.

4. Roast for 25 minutes, toss parsnips and turn up oven to 500 degrees.

5. Wait for temperature to rise and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until crispy. Keep a close eye to make sure they don’t burn.

Source: ahouseinthehills.com