Recipes

1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. To me, this means God expects us to practice good self-care. So one of my priorities is to stay healthy for as long as possible and help my husband do the same.

Alas, since I prefer chocolate-covered peanut butter cookie bars to celery, it is even harder for me to adhere to a healthy eating plan than it was for me to quit smoking nearly 20 years ago. However, a diabetes diagnosis a couple of years ago – plus other chronic medical issues such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol – have reinforced for me the need to take healthy eating seriously. 

My dietary restrictions have made cooking a bit more of a challenge, but over the past year or so, I’ve been experimenting and reworking a number of my recipes to eliminate some of the fat, refined carbs, salt and other “bad stuff” without sacrificing flavor. I’m continually on the lookout for irresistible veggie recipes. Or yummy salad recipes. “Quick and easy to prepare” is a plus. 

My efforts have paid off. I’ve actually produced some recipes delicious enough to convince both my sweetie-pie and myself that healthy eating can be fun rather than torture! As a bonus, I’m now about 25 pounds off my top weight, and Pete has dropped about 25 pounds as well. 

I’ve added this page to my blog so I can share some of my creations, plus a few nutrition hacks I’ve discovered along the way. 

Nutrition hacks

Some hints to make healthy eating a little easier to achieve.

Meeting my 3-5 Challenge

Adding and subtracting for Lent

Recipes

Some recipes I’ve cooked up so far. I hope to add lots more to the list as I keep experimenting and perfecting. To access each recipe, click on the links below.

Homemade granola

Lemony dill salmon

Spinach lasagna

Garbanzo beef

Hoppin’ john

Spinach quiche

Ground beef crumbles

Chicken salad

Pineapple lime jello salad

Loaded Brussels sprouts

Cheesy veggie casserole

Kale salad with walnuts and cranberries

Vegetable beef barley soup

Chicken and vegetable pozole

Pete’s chicken and spinach soup

Reduced fat dips

Fruktsoppa

Ostkaka

Chocolate cream pie

Peanut butter cup pie

Feeding the hungry

While we’re feeding ourselves, it’s clear from Matthew 25 that God also wants us to feed the hungry as well. Our church has helped to fulfill that command by offering a micro pantry, and Pete and I have pledged to do our part to help keep it filled. Here are some ideas, for anyone who would like to take on a project such as this:

A great giving opportunity: Micro food pantries

Recipe kits for your neighborhood micro pantry

Meal kit ideas

More recipe kit ideas

Stocking your micro pantry in the winter