5 Easy & Healthy Workweek Dinner Ideas
I was in a routine of rotating the same meals. But given I am on the verge of obtaining my next fantastic vocation; I had more time last month to play around with new dinner ideas in the kitchen. At the encouragement from some of my high school friends to share my findings, I promised to reveal my killer (but super easy) ideas. No more boring workweek dinners; let’s get this party started.
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CARBLESS GAME CHANGER: ZUCCHINI NOODLES (ZOODLES)
Ever the mindful spender, instead of buying a scmancy spiralizer, I opted for the old school cheese grater that set me back a mere $3.99 at the grocery store. Not only was I saving money, I would sneak in a bonus arm workout. Shred/spiral two zucchinis and set aside. Brown 1lb lean ground beef (or turkey or you could go beyondmeat), seasoned to spice tolerance/taste liking with crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, garlic, and basil and mix with zoodles and marinara sauce. For more vegetable noodle recipes that taste like pasta, click here.
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EXOTIC FLAVOR: TJ’S THAI RED CURRY SAUCE
What if you could have curry without ordering takeout?! Thaw pre-cooked shrimp the night before by placing in a strainer, covering, and placing aforementioned strainer in a bowl. Hit up Trader Joe’s for their prepackaged ready-to-eat lentils, riced cauliflower (so hot right how), and a can of garbanzo beans. In a large pot, heat lentils, cauli, and garbanzos with coco oil, curry, and garlic powder. Place thawed shrimp in a skillet with TJ’s red curry sauce and once hot, pour curried shrimp over lentil mixture.
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GRAB-N-GO: TURKEY MEATLOAF MUFFINS
HEY MA! THE MEATLOAF! Use your muffin pan to bake up cute little hand held portions. Also, in lieu of crackers or breadcrumbs, I pulverize oats in the nutribullet to help with binding, and in a large mixing bowl, add egg, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, mustard, sage, crushed red pepper, garlic, salt, pepper. Bake, and enjoy with a pickle and some mustard.
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SLOW-CLAP-AT-FIRST BITE FISH TACOS
So summer. Line a pan with parchment paper or foil. Mix olive oil, chopped cilantro, chili powder, crushed red pepper, and cumin in a bowl. Brush over fish filets and bake. Warm corn tortillas on the stove and complete with fish, sliced cabbage for a crunch, lime-juice, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
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NOT A DINNER BUT IT COULD BE: PROTEIN PANCAKES
Since I have been making these hotcakes for a few years, this idea is not hot n’ fresh out the kitchen but nevertheless, it still needs to be shared. In a large mixing bowl, combine vanilla protein powder, honey, salt, ground oats, banana, vanilla extract, cinnamon, almond milk, and eggs. Fold in raw pecans. Heat coco oil in skillet and pour ¼ cup mixture into HOT pan. Flip when you see bubbles, approx. one Murray/Djokovic rally. You can also swap the banana + pecan flavors for sweet potato or for berries. When was the last time you had blueberry pancakes?
Images via www.bettycrocker.com
