December is already going by super fast and if you’re like us, the calendar is quickly starting to fill up with holiday gatherings and last minute shopping trips! This certainly does not leave much time to prepare and cook those weeknight meals that are not only satisfying, but also healthy.  Nutritious Navigation can help you plan out a rotation of meals to avoid boredom with the same old lean protein and side of veggies.  We’re big fans of “cooking once, eating twice,” to eliminate being stuck in your kitchen every night. Leftovers rule!  

Check out one of our favorites…The Grain Salad

You start with a base, which is your “grain” of choice. We commonly choose from quinoa, bulgur, barley, or lentils. You cannot go wrong with any of these choices, being that they all are a great source of fiber and protein, so experiment and see what works best for you.  You can find versions of these that are “quick cooking,” that usually take about 10-15minutes.  Avoid making a single serving here, take advantage of cooking extra to have extra for the week.  

Once you pick your base, try to add some veggies.  Frozen greens like spinach or kale mix well.  Shredded carrots, peppers, scallions, or red onion also provide great color and nutritional benefits.  Adding beans can be a great compliment to this as well.  Edamame, chickpeas, and black beans provide more texture and flavor.  Other additions could be sweet potatoes, nuts, or dried fruits.  Once you mix everything together, consider adding a dressing of some sort.  Ideas could be olive oil, lemon or lime juice, vinegar, or soy sauce.  Remember that a little goes a long way!  Top it off with favorite herbs or spices if you choose.  This type of salad could be enjoyed warm or cold, lunch or dinner, all year round!  

If you’re interested in learning more about Nutritious Navigation, check out our website (www.nutritiousnavigation.com).  We would love to hear from you in the New Year!