Eating Clean
After a decadent holiday season with a few too many glasses of eggnog, many of us are looking to lighten things up for the New Year. The good news? You don't have to deprive yourself of colorful, delicious and inspired meals nor do you have to make drastic, limiting changes. Instead, choosing recipes that are full of whole foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes and low in sugar and refined flours will help you feel lighter—and dare we say happier—in 2016. While everyone's dietary needs and desires are different and we realize not all of these clean-eating recipes will appeal to everyone, we gathered together a good variety of our favorites in hopes that a few might inspire you to step into the kitchen and away from that fast food burger.
The Redhead
A good fresh juice recipe is a necessity this time of year, and we're loving this blend of fresh carrot, beet, tomato, cilantro, jalapeño and apple. It's colorful, packed with vitamin C and A, and infinitely drinkable.
Recipe via The Kitchy Kitchen
Mixed Berry and Coconut Buckwheat Muffins
Like a little something sweet in the mornings with yourcoffee but looking to clean up your act for the New Year? These naturally gluten-free buckwheat beauties are the answer. Sweetened with unrefined coconut sugar and fresh or frozen berries, they're great as-is or feel free to substitute in your favorite seasonal fruits instead.
Recipe via Goodness to Glow
Easy Peach Fruit Smoothie
Eating clean doesn't mean depriving yourself of good fats or colorful fruits, and that's why this smoothie showed up on our radar. It's made thick and creamy thanks to coconut milk and yogurt, and sweet and fruity with the addition of fresh or frozen peaches. To make an even healthier smoothie, leave out the sugar and opt for plain yogurt instead of vanilla.
Recipe via She Wears Many Hats
Nourishing Muesli
While granola is often touted as the ultimate breakfast health food, many brands are actually loaded with sugar and oil. For a healthier spin, enter muesli: a blend of raw grains, nuts and dried fruits that you can prepare warm or soak overnight and enjoy cold.
Recipe via Nutrition Stipped
Coconut Quinoa and Kale with Tropical Pesto
What happens when you cook quinoa with a bit of coconut milk, toss in chopped kale and fold in a cilantro-cashew pesto? You end up with a memorable, healthy and filling salad that just so happens to be vegan and gluten-free.
Recipe via Cookie and Kate
Celery Root Salad with Apple, Caraway and Horseradish
In the heart of winter, colorful vegetables aren't the most common sighting, so we rely on simple salads with truly exciting flavors. And this is one such recipe: simultaneously fresh and bold, it boasts a creamy tang from the yogurt, mellow sweetness from the honey and a slight tang from the lemon. We've got it on repeat.
Recipe via HappyYolks
Oven-Baked Salmon with Clementines and Fennel
Sometimes some of the fanciest-looking entrees are actually the simplest to prepare. Instead of relying on a lot of butter or oil for flavor, this heart-healthy salmon relies on citrus and fennel. With an incredibly short ingredient list, it's easily tackled on even the busiest of weeknights.
Recipe via Everyday Feasts
Sweet and Smoky Baked Tofu Tacos
Healthy dinners can be a challenge—especially during a busy work week. But these tofu tacos are simple and can be done completely in advance: bake the tofu with a homemade tangy glaze and refrigerate until ready for vegetarian taco night!
Recipe via Veggie and the Beast
Zucchini Pasta with Tomato Sauce
If you haven't yet tried zucchini noodles, this recipe is a great jumping-off point! Topped with a super-flavorful marinara sauce, we feel pretty certain you'll never miss regular pasta.
Recipe via Chef Savvy
Grain-Free Carrot Cake
Let's not forget dessert! Thanks to this grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free carrot cake, enjoying a healthier version of a classic favorite has never been easier. Lightly sweetened with honey and fragrant with warm spices and coconut oil, we have a hard time limiting ourselves to just one slice.
Recipe via Texanerin Baking
