A 2,000 calorie diet plan has long been the standard recommendation for caloric intake by the USDA. I can't claim that I learned much at all about nutrition in middle and high school - or even my Undergrad, honestly - (I sincerely hope things have changed...), but I do remember learning that 2,000 calories was a standard goal.
Now, I have much more nutrition education under my belt. And it didn't take me long to figure out that a person's actual calorie and nutrient goal is completely individualized. Every body is different, lifestyles are different, goals are different, and that means we all have different intakes we should aim for. ...
continue reading
Chicken Fajita Soup
No grill necessary this week! I know we've been hammering a lot of grill-friendly recipes lately, but we're veering off course from that and bringing you a flavorful and filling chicken fajita soup this week.
I love soups in the fall and winter. As soon as the weather starts to get cool, my body starts craving all things warm. I don't eat as much soup in the summer, but I'll make an exception for this one. Especially on stormy summer nights.
Or maybe it's not even summer where you are. Maybe it's winter or fall or generally cooler - then you'll definitely want to make this one TONIGHT.
If you're go-to order at your favorite ...
continue reading
Grilled Veggie Skewers
We're back with another recipe and we're staying on the theme of the grill because we love it that much. These grilled veggie skewers make the perfect accompaniment for whatever your protein of choice may be. Could be beef (our favorite comes from White Oak Pastures), chicken, pork, fish - these skewers go with it all.
We're featuring all of our favorite summer vegetables on these skewers this week. Bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, and mushrooms make a wonderfully seasonal combination. Slathered in olive oil and coarse sea salt, there's no way these skewers are lacking on flavor.
Not only are skewers a fun way to eat more veggies, ...
continue reading
Keto-Friendly Lemon Herb Chicken
I've been craving all the summer recipes lately. As we move into the summer season, I want dishes that are fresh and light and herby. With citrus, parsley, and basil, this lemon herb chicken most definitely hits the spot.
Chicken is incredibly versatile. But a way to make it even better is to marinate it. Let those babies soak for a few hours (I'd recommend at least 2), and then toss them on the grill. You will not be disappointed.
This marinade is made up of olive oil, parsley, green onions, basil, garlic, and lemon for some tang. Blend all of that together in a blender or food processor and then let the chicken soak in that ...
continue reading
Dijon Herb Chicken Salad
Tangy, herby, sweet, and crunchy. All words you could use to describe this dijon herb chicken salad - aka a perfect lunch recipe.
If you're not using fresh herbs when you cook, you're missing out. This is easily the best way to bring loads of flavor to your foods. And while they're *relatively* inexpensive to buy at the store, you can easily grow them in your own space as well.
I'm no gardening expert, but if you're interested, you can find more info here and here. If you decide to grow your own, let me know how it goes!
To make this recipe AS EASY AS POSSIBLE, get in the habit of keeping some cooked chicken on hand. This is a ...
continue reading
Salted Honey Strawberries with Coconut Whip
Are these salted honey strawberries with coconut whip meant for breakfast? A snack? A dessert? All three? Who knows?? Whatever time of the day you eat it, I guarantee you're going to devour it.
The is summertime simplicity at its best. With only five total ingredients, it doesn't get much simpler - or yummier - than this combination. Obviously, if berries are in season where you live, that's going to make this dish way better. But we can't all help the season we're in - and even with not-so-seasonal berries, this will still be delicious.
One trick to making this recipe the best is can be is to let the strawberries, salt, and honey ...
continue reading
Low Carb Pesto Shrimp Salad
This pesto shrimp salad recipe feels decadent and even fancy, maybe, but I promise you it couldn't be easier. If you're tired of your usual chicken breast or ground beef, this is a great way to shake up your meal routine.
I can't tell you which ingredient is the star of the show in this one. I personally love all of them together. If you've never made your own pesto at home, you're about to find out just how easy it can be.
This pesto is made of basil, garlic, lemon, walnuts, and olive oil. Traditional pesto incorporates cheese (normally), but you don't need it to make a delicious, flavorful sauce! That being said, if you can ...
continue reading
We Tried Paleovalley. Here’s Our Thoughts.
The world of supplements is a big one. Being a nutrition site, we, of course, encourage our readers to get as many vitamins and minerals as you can through real foods.
That means eating a diet composed mostly of unprocessed foods in different forms - raw, cooked, boiled, steam, roasted, etc. Keep things varied. Keep your plate colorful - "Eat the rainbow!" as they say.
Why Supplement?
Supplements have their place though. Sometimes, we don't have the time to eat as much or as often as we should. Or maybe highly-nutritious foods aren't available where we live.
Nutrients in food can also vary greatly due in part to soil ...
continue reading
Refreshing Strawberry Basil Smoothie
This smoothie screams summertime. With a classic flavor combination - strawberry and basil - it's perfect for hot days when you need something tasty to cool you down.
Now, you might see the ingredients of this smoothie and think "Um, spinach AND basil in a smoothie? No thanks." But I promise that even the least adventurous eaters will think that this smoothie is surprisingly delicious!
You'll also notice that this smoothie has the addition of Greek yogurt. If you use traditional dairy milk-based yogurt, this takes it out of the "paleo" category. But if you can't tolerate dairy, you could definitely use a coconut based yogurt. Some ...
continue reading
Healthy Root Vegetable Chips
Are you ready to level up your snacking game? These healthy root vegetable chips are your ticket to nutritious snacking. And what's more - this recipe is so easily customizable so you can have these chips tasting like whatever you're craving!
I know that when I'm in the house for long periods of time, I can become complacent in my snacking. I start to reach for whatever is easiest - whether it's a piece of fruit or a bag of salty chips, or crunchy crackers.
But since I've had so much more time at home recently, I've experimented with making my own snacks. Hence why these root veggie chips are on the blog today.
These really aren't ...
continue reading