Healthy Flavors: X Recipes for a Healthier Lifestyle

Following a healthy lifestyle in this fast-paced world is no walk in the park. You might think that cooking healthy, delicious meals at home is a complicated process, but we can assure you that isn’t the case at all. All you need are a few tricks up your sleeve, and you can cook healthy meals in no time!

Moreover, like many other urbanized countries, people living in Canada are busy bees. They don’t have enough spare time to stand and cook for hours. They want some healthy yet quick fixes that meet their nutritional requirements and are also taste-bud friendly.

So, even those who love food and cooking prefer to opt for simple dishes instead of complicated cooking techniques. At times healthy meals can be pretty complex, and people in the modern world are short on time.

Because of this, many people choose fast food, especially during lunch hours, to save time. However, unlike the rest of the world, fast food remains a takeout or ordering-in concept for Canadians. They prefer takeaways rather than dining in or buying frozen foods.

Fast-food consumption is at its peak despite its unhealthy reputation. Therefore, to save you from the hassle of eating fast food, we’re going to share some healthy recipes that are nutritious and super easy and economical to prepare.  

And as far as the ingredients are concerned, you can easily order them from any grocery provider in your vicinity. For instance, if you live near the Edmonton area, you can conveniently order fresh produce through any Edmonton grocery delivery service that offers inexpensive fruits and vegetables. For example, buying defective grocery items can lower your overall meal expenses. Don’t let the word “defective” mislead you as these items are edible and in perfect condition except for a few minor defects, such as a tomato which isn’t round.

 So, without further ado, let’s dive right into some delicious yet healthy recipes!

Quinoa Bowl with Edamame, Pickled Vegetables, and Tofu Balls

Tofu haters, prepare to eat your words. Try this recipe for the best lunch ever! Tofu balls are incredibly delicious and are bound to turn a tofu hater into a convert.

Things You’ll Need

For Quinoa Bowl

• Two tablespoons of cider vinegar
• A teaspoon of vinegar
• Red pepper flakes, one pinch
• Three cups thinly sliced cabbage
• Two Lebanese cucumbers, cut into ribbons
• One and a half cups rinsed, drained quinoa
• Fresh or frozen-thawed shelled soybeans (edamame), 2 cups
• Chop 2 tablespoons of cilantro

For Sauce

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 tsp sambal oelek
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• ½ tsp sugar

For Tofu Balls

• Half a clove of garlic
• 1 green onion
• Cubed 3/4 lb firm or extra firm tofu, patted dry
• 1.5 cups bread crumbs
• One egg
• Two tablespoons soy sauce
• Two teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• Two tablespoons vegetable oil

The Process

Quinoa Bowl

Combine the vinegar, sugar, and pepper flakes in a large quinoa bowl and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Now, toss the veggies in the vinegar mixture and add salt and pepper to taste. Boil the quinoa in salted water for 15 minutes until it is tender. Add the soybeans to a pot of salted boiling water and cook for four minutes until soft. Remove from heat and drain. Serve the quinoa in bowls. Add pickled vegetables, edamame, cilantro, and tofu balls on top.

Tofu Balls

To make the tofu balls, chop garlic and green onion finely in a food processor. Once the tofu has crumbled, add it to the processor. Combine the remaining ingredients, except the vegetable oil. Process until smooth, seasoning with pepper. Make tofu balls using 1 Tbsp of the mixture & fry them in vegetable oil until they’re golden brown. 

Tofu Ball Sauce

Combine all the remaining ingredients in a small bowl, and the sauce is ready.

Breakfast Smoothie with Apple Cherry & Almonds

You’re going to love this flavor-packed smoothie if you’re looking for a quick but tasty breakfast hack. This healthy breakfast is loaded with fiber and protein to keep you fuller, longer, and it only takes a few minutes to prepare. What’s best is that it only requires 3-4 ingredients. 

Just add a few cherries, half an apple, a few almonds to a cup of Greek yogurt and blend. Voila! It is ready to go. Add a straw to it and take it to work with you.

The Best Kale Salad Ever

This salad topped with chicken is perfect for dinners to serve with hearty winter roasts or stews. 

However, if you are thinking of preparing this salad for work, It is best to make it the night before and eat it for lunch the next day. You can prepare the salad ingredients a day prior. Store the greens and carrots together, keep the beets and cheese separate, and add the apple to the vinaigrette to prevent it from going stale or brown.

What’s in it?

Salad

• Approximately 6 cups of chopped or finely sliced kale, stems removed.
• Radicchio, chopped or finely sliced, 1 ½ cups
• Sliced or chopped 1 ½ cups escarole
• Core, thinly slice or chop 1 Honey Crisp apple
• Peeled and thinly sliced or sliced into matchsticks 1 carrot
• One small beet, peeled and thinly sliced or cut into matchsticks
• Dry cranberries or cherries, ⅓ cups
• Almonds toasted, ⅓ cups
• ½ cups shaved Parmesan cheese (optional)

Dressing

• Olive oil extra virgin, 13 oz
• ¼ cups apple cider vinegar
• Finely chop 1 small shallot
• 1 tbsp of good grainy mustard
• A tbsp of honey
• Salt & freshly ground pepper (to taste)

Steps to follow

To make Salad

Add the kale, radicchio, escarole, and dressing to a large bowl. Now, add a touch of salt or vinegar to taste and adjust seasoning. Next, add the apple, carrots, beets, dried cherries, and almonds. Finally, add Parmesan cheese, if desired, and transfer to serving plates.

For Dressing

Stir together oil, vinegar, shallots, mustard, honey, and salt and pepper.

Blueberry Almond Chia Pudding

Are you looking for a quick, healthy breakfast packed with protein to fuel your day? Then, try this Blueberry Almond Milk Chia Pudding recipe! You can prepare this chia pudding recipe quickly overnight in just five minutes!

Soak Chia seeds in unsweetened almond or other plant-based milk overnight for 9 hours.

Additionally, before serving it, top it up with maple syrup or honey after mixing well.

Tuna & Apple Sandwiches

Prepare these Tuna and Apple Lunchbox Sammies for a tasty lunchbox treat. You can either have it as your lunch or pack it for your kids because, trust us, they are super delicious and effortless to make!

Raw Materials

• 1 pouch or can Tuna in Water Pouch, drained
• 2 tablespoons. Mayonnaise 
• Approximately 1 tablespoon. Minced dry onion
• Approximately 1 tsp. sweet relish or dill
• 1/2 stalk celery, diced (about 1/4 cup).
• Four slices of one large Granny Smith apple, sliced horizontally

Instructions

Combine the tuna, mayo, onion, relish, and celery in a small mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Keep aside. Slice the large apple horizontally into four sections using a knife and remove the core. Sandwich the tuna mixture between the apple slices. In addition to spreading over apple slices, you may also use the tuna as a dip.

Last words!

It doesn’t have to take hours in the kitchen to prepare a healthy and satisfying dinner. These recipes aren’t just yummy; they’re also easy to make. So next time you don’t know what to make for dinner or lunch, try one of these recipes. Eat healthily and improve your quality of life!