Hey Dad, we love you!
I’ve spent most of my life trying to get my Dad to try the newest recipe/ try the latest gadget; sometimes successfully and sometimes not so much, but of course I do so out of love, entirely.
To share my passion with trying get Dad as healthy as can be, I rounded up some recipes that Dad will love (as much as I’m trying to get my Dad to, lol!). These recipes are loaded with protein, and ingredients that we made sure are heart healthy and are also tasty; these recipes include those for each meal- so no matter which you decide to make, there’s plenty to choose from.
To all you Dads out there, THANK YOU for being you, for helping to push us all to be better, happier, stronger kids and adults.
Breakfast
What I love about these waffles is that they’re super easy to make, and you probably have most of the ingredients in your cabinet (if you don’t have the quinoa flour, not to worry they should turn out OK without it).
Although these sweet potato toasts might look elaborate, they take under 10 minutes to make and taste just as good as they look. I can pretty much guarantee it! As for toppings, pretty much anything goes. Whatever you would normally put on regular toast you can put on sweet potato toast!
Spinach and Sweet Potato Frittata
I love to recommend eggs and egg dishes to clients because they’re easy to make and source and when you make dishes like this one you can keep in the fridge for a few days as well. Try this spinach and sweet potato frittata as a breakfast, lunch or dinner meal.
Savory Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl
If you want to begin your day eating clean, then our Savory Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl created by our wonderful intern, Kathleen, is the perfect recipe for you. It’s full of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and greens, which keep you full throughout the day!
This healthy breakfast scramble is one of my favorite food recommendations for anyone who likes to start their day with eggs. I always use organic eggs because they’re free of hormones and antibiotics- which is very important for overall health. I’ve also loaded this breakfast with veggies to get nutrients, vitamins and minerals into you to start the day (the best way!).
Entrees
In this taco bowl are so many yummy ingredients, that are also good for you. The broccoli is naturally detoxifying (I think we all need this on sundays!), the avocado is anti-inflammatory, the sweet potato fries have skin and collagen-healthy vitamins A and C, the turkey of course has protein (good for immune system, hair and skin cells and more).
Easy BBQ Salmon and Roasted Vegetables
This dish is about as easy as it sounds and it’s super tasty too (and made leftovers, which means that I had a yummy piece of BBQ salmon on a kale salad, YUM). Additionally, it’s a nice swap out to chicken and poultry that so many of us eat on a far-too-regular basis.
Paleo Veggie Cauliflower Fried Rice
Fried rice is a classic favorite, but the traditional version is loaded with salt, carbs and a whole bunch of stuff that just isn’t so good for you. This paleo veggie cauliflower rice version of the classic fried rice is healthier, and tastes just as good (if not better!).
As the base of this taco skillet I used seasonal and fresh produce including shallots, onions, collards, carrots, mushrooms and tomatoes – and as the protein I used organic turkey. I served this dish on a bed of two different varieties, making this dish a healthy and filling treat for Dad!
Chicken salad is one of my favorite and easy go to’s when it comes to snacking, lunch and even dinner. Especially when it’s free of goopy mayonnaise, but still super tasty and filling, like this easy no mayo chicken salad. I tried to keep this recipe as easy and fresh as possible, without altering taste and flavor (I did the best I could here with that!).
Mini Turkey Sliders Sweet Potato Bun
Try these delish mini turkey sliders with sweet potato bun (and a whole lot of YUM!)- and while enjoying them can know that they’re gluten free, dairy free, healthy, paleo and whole 30.
Snacks and Dessert
This simple guacamole recipe is a sure crowd-pleaser and can be adapted to meet your taste buds, and can also be served with a variety of different chips and/or vegetables. And not only is this guacamole tasty, but it’s also good for you due to the anti-inflammatory fat in avocados and added nutrients like vitamins A and C in the peppers and tomatoes that can also help to protect skin from UV rays.
This tasty smoothie is loaded with potent antioxidants found in the cacao nibs, heart-healthy electrolyte potassium from the banana, bone-healthy calcium from the almond milk (but only if it’s calcium-fortified) and contains digestive properties from the mint leaves. Altogether this smoothie tastes like a healthy mint chip milkshake, so it makes for a nice mid-afternoon snack or as a part of any meal.
Chocolate gets a bad wrap, but did you know that cocoa is actually a natural mood booster. Especially in the raw form, cocoa can help with producing endorphins and can also be used as food for our gut bacteria (gut bacteria health is KEY for our overall health!). So next time you pass on dark chocolate, think again- it’s good for so much of you- including your heart, brain, blood vessels, anti-inflammation, and more.
I love yummy, crunchy potato chips… especially when they’re freshly made, and it’s always a plus when they’re a healthier version of their original (less-healthy) selves. These delicious potato chips are dusted with salt, pepper and fresh dill for delicious flavor… and the best part is that they are super easy to make!
A little indulgence here and there doesn’t hurt, but my health-ified version of Chocolate Chip Cookies will really satisfy your sweet tooth, and leave you feeling good after. And even better, this recipe is gluten-free, vegan, AND has no added sugar which means they can be enjoyed by almost anyone!
Double Chocolate Fiber Cookies
Desserts often end up being devoid of healthy nutrients, but if we take the time to include some fiber, less sugar, and more healthy fat- suddenly we have something that tastes good and is also beneficial for the body too! This recipe for Double Chocolate Fiber Cookies has no-added sugar, and is packed full of nutritious ingredients!
I’ve been experimenting with new baking recipes because I want to make them healthier and tastier (so that I can include them without feeling guilty more often!). Most often I find that I’m trying to cook lower-carb, higher protein items so that although they taste totally sinful, nutritionally they’re actually not quite as bad as they seem—like this paleo banana bread!
Happy Fathers Day to you and Your Dad! Thanks Dads!
