It's no secret that we love Greek yogurt around here, and there's good reason why. It's a perfect way to get more protein and calcium in your diet, and the probiotics are nothing but good news for your insides. And not only that, substituting Greek yogurt for cream, mayonnaise, and other high-fat options saves big in the calorie department. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, here are some of our favorite ways to add flavor, not calories, with Greek yogurt!
Paleo dieters craving a big bowl of stir-fry will find delicious comfort in this fresh, bright, and satisfying cauliflower "rice" recipe. Beyond being a Paleo-friendly offering, this grain-free stir-fry has zero cholesterol, is low in sodium, and offers your entire daily recommended intake of vitamin A and vitamin C in just one meal. While this recipe requires a decent amount of chopping in the kitchen, once the prep is done, the cook time is under 15 minutes — just trust me on this one, the healthy result is well worth the effort.
Keep reading for your new favorite Paleo recipe.
High in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, red bell peppers make a perfect accompaniment to protein-rich lentils in this low-calorie recipe. Even better news? You'll be surprised at how large an under-250-calorie portion of this cheesy red pepper and lentil bake really is. Make a batch of this dish ahead of time and reheat throughout the week for a quick evening meal.
If your hair is dull, dry, and brittle, forget spending tons of money on shampoos and styling products that claim to offer shine and moisture. You need to replenish your hair from the inside out! Made from hair-healthy ingredients like Greek yogurt, blueberries, and kidney beans, this smoothie will help moisturize the scalp and encourage growth. The beans also offer biotin, which is not only great for your hair, but for your skin as well.
This under 400-calorie smoothie contains almost 20 grams of protein. If you're skeptical about the beans and spinach, the fruit overpowers their mild flavors so you hardly even notice they're there.
There's nothing better than some grilled goodness for Memorial Day weekend. If you've taken on a vegan or vegetarian diet and you're tired of those prepackaged burgers, you're in luck. There's something to tempt vegans regardless of their preferences, from white bean to black bean to portobello — no one-size-fits-all here! Click through to get inspired for your start-of-Summer backyard BBQ bliss or a weeknight supper.
One great thing about Spring and Summer is that the veggies are so delicious, and they taste great in the simplest of salads. Dressed with nothing but a little vinegar, salt, and sugar, this cucumber salad is fresh and sweet.
Get this easy, healthy recipe after the break
A grain-free life does not have to be free of comfort food! When you're craving a big bowl of garlicky pasta, cook up these zucchini noodles aglio et olio (garlic and oil) instead. The real comfort here, other than that fragrant garlic, comes from "breadcrumbs" created from toasted almond meal; I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed their flavor and texture.
Keep reading for this protein-packed, Paleo-friendly recipe for pasta.
If you've had BluePrint Juice's refreshing concoction of pineapple, green apple, and mint (P.A.M.) and thought to yourself how good it would be in a cocktail, you definitely have the makings of a bartender in you! BluePrint's P.A.M. has everything you want in a great Summer cocktail — a balanced flavor profile of sweet and tart with just a little something extra from the fresh mint. All it takes is one sip to be transported to a tropical beachside destination. Adding to its taste appeal are of course P.A.M.'s many nutritional benefits: made from raw, live juice, pineapple and mint are both known for their detoxing and debloating benefits.
First we set out to hack BluePrint's P.A.M. recipe for ourselves, which was a success in its own right. But after mixing it up with a little rum, we may have even improved on the original.
Fans of the mojito, learn how to make your new favorite Summer cocktail after the break!
For 9-to-5ers, taking a yoga class after work can result in eating a late dinner. If you're eating closer to bedtime, then cut back on heavy meat and dairy to help ease digestion, and prep meals in advance to make the process of cooking a quick one. With some advice from a few Ayurveda and nutrition experts, here are five ideas for quick and healthy suppers to make after yoga.
Homemade Soup
A homemade soup is often as easy as throwing ingredients together into a pot. Cook broth in advance to always have the makings of a soup ready to go, but if you're crunched for time, then use a low-sodium, store-bought version. This recipe for ginger-carrot soup is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese, which aids in digestion, plus it offers hydration after a sweaty yoga session!
Veggie-Packed Wraps
Replacing a meat-heavy sandwich with a lighter veggie wrap can be easier on the digestive system to help prevent you from feeling weighed down after yoga. These vegan spiral wraps from Happy Healthy Life offer vibrant color, creamy hummus, and serious veggie power.
Keep reading for two more late-night dinner ideas.
If you're having trouble falling asleep at night, skip the sleeping pills for this nutrient-rich juice instead. Neka Pasquale, founder of Urban Remedy, developed this recipe using ingredients known for having calming properties on the body. The result is a bright and balanced green juice that would taste good whatever the time of day! Here's how each ingredient adds to the overall effect of Neka's natural sleep aid:
But juice alone is not a cure-all to restless nights; taking care of the body is key, Neka says. "Get yourself in bed around 10 p.m., as this is the body's natural resting time. Even if you're not ready to fall asleep, lay down and read a book or listen to music. It's the act of putting the body in a resting position that's most important!”
See Neka's recipe for sweet green sleep juice after the break!
