Healthy Archives - Another Root

Spicy Turkey Burritos (Make Ahead)

March 23, 2016 By Jaenell 2 Comments

These make ahead spicy turkey burritos are a total lifesaver. In the last three weeks, I’ve made two batches, 16 burritos in total which have disappeared and now I’m contemplating making more. Just 30 minutes to prep these protein, vitamin and flavor-packed meals and get them into the freezer, ready to be reheated in a snap for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Top with your favorite burrito toppings (cilantro, sour cream, lime and lots of avocado for me, please and thank you), and you’ve got a complete meal ready to go in minutes. Perfect for keeping you from calling for takeout on those days that are just a little too hectic.

SPICY TURKEY BURRITOS DETAILS:

Lean, protein-packed ground turkey cooked up with diced onions until golden brown.
Tons of chopped veggies pump up the vitamin and flavor content — my favs are butternut squash, red bell pepper and kale, but really whatever you have on hand that you need to use up will be perfect.
Cumin, oregano and chili powder for a spicy, smoky flavor.
All wrapped up in a pillowy flour tortilla and left to chill out in the freezer until you’re ready to heat ’em up.

…

Roasted Carrots with Lemon Tahini Drizzle

March 9, 2016 By Jaenell 2 Comments

What up Wednesday?? Roasted carrots doused with lemon tahini drizzle is where it’s at! 🙌

Okay, that may be a little over the top. But in all seriousness, I’m in L.O.V.E. with this super simple recipe.

Something magical happens when veggies hit the high heat of the oven. Their flavors intensify and deepen and they become absolutely irresistible. Carrots are one of my all time favorite veggies to roast. I ♡ them raw — dunked in ranch dressing, slathered with silky hummus, chopped up in a salad or just all on their own. But slow roasting carrots with nothing but a little olive oil, salt and pepper concentrates their sweet, savory flavor.

Top them with a generous drizzle of this tart, creamy, earthy sauce made of equal parts tahini, yogurt and lemon juice and you’ve got something totally craveable.

That’s it! It doesn’t get any better than 5 simple, whole foods ingredients and a little bit of time to bring out their very best. It’s almost hard to even call it a recipe. You’re going to want to whip up a batch of these today for sure.

Go ahead and get that oven preheated to 400 F. I’ll wait… 😉…

Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

March 4, 2016 By Jaenell 4 Comments

Creamy roasted red pepper pasta comin’ at ya!

This sauce belongs on everything. And I mean EV-ERY-THING. Toss it with pasta, spread it on your pizza, drizzle it over anything in your refrigerator and pantry because it’s oh so yummy.

Can I tell you something? I could eat pasta for every meal for the rest of my life and be completely content. For reals. Lucky for me — the girl who’s trying to eat healthy but can’t help but crave comfort foods all winter long — this recipe is super sneaky and packs tons of veggies right into the sauce. The ultra creamy, stick to your lips alfredo is packed with smoky, tangy, charred roasted red pepper flavor. And perfectly cooked al dente whole wheat linguini soaks it all up.

CREAMY ROASTED RED PEPPER PASTA LOWDOWN:

This recipe is vegetarian, but could easily be made vegan with your favorite nut milk.
I like to cook my whole wheat linguini (or any pasta I’ve got on hand) al dente, so that it’s not too soft but still has a little bit of a bite to it.
The sauce is extra creamy because of the lightened up bechamel — which is so much easier to make than it sounds! (Check out my 3-step process below.)
If you’d like to add in some cheese, say creamy goat cheese or nutty parmesan, I’d be okay with that.

…

5-Minute Blender Enchilada Sauce

February 24, 2016 By Jaenell Leave a Comment

Quick and easy sauce alert!

This 5-minute blender enchilada sauce is loaded with tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, garlic and spices. A little disclaimer — this isn’t your typical super silky smooth enchilada sauce. If you’re like me and looking to pack more veggies and TONS of flavor into your life with a super simple, quick little recipe hack (and you’re okay with some extra veggie texture) then this is the sauce for you.

I’m calling this an enchilada sauce, but it’s really becoming an anything and everything sauce in my kitchen. It adds smoky, spicy depth of flavor to all of the things — not just enchiladas.

FAVORITE ENCHILADA SAUCE USES:

Drizzle it over soft scrambled eggs with some sliced avocado and sour cream (hello my dream breakfast!)
Dunk your gooey, cheesy quesadillas (or heck, even grilled cheese) in it
Stir it into soups and stews for a little extra kick
Scoop it up with your favorite tortilla chips
Stir it into hummus for a quick veggie dip that packs a little heat
Eat it with a spoon (wait, I don’t do that. okay, yes I do)

…

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

February 12, 2016 By Jaenell 4 Comments

It’s Friday and I have these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars for you, just in time to kick start your weekend!!

These little bars perfectly combine my love of cookies + brownies (and all things chocolate). I wasn’t sure what to expect when I set out to make them. I’m not one to use exact measurements in the kitchen — more of a pinch here, a dash there kinda girl — and I ♡ my “creative license” to play with recipes. So baking can be a bit of an experiment, but I love a challenge! They turned out better than I hoped they would → ultra thick and soft like a brownie, and just the right amount of chewy like the best-ever cookies, all in one.

You down witdat?

OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS DETAILS:

These bars are insanely delicious and loaded with:

TWO different kinds of chocolate. Dark chocolate chunks + semisweet chocolate chips = 👏 👏 👏
maple syrup for added depth of flavor and richness
a combo of whole wheat and all purpose flours that makes them light + fluffy + chewy all at the same time
rolled oats, because oatmeal chocolate chip is hands down my all-time favorite cookie

A handful of nuts? Dried fruit? Some toasted coconut? Go for it! Load these cookie bars up with whatever your cookie bar-loving heart desires.

Mix everything in a bowl, spread out into a pan, throw them in the oven for 25 minutes, and you’ve got yourself a delicious, decadent treat that’s just the right amount of sweet, and oh-so addicting. Perfect for when you don’t have the time (or the patience) to measure out cookie dough into individual portions and bake several batches….

Roasted Brussels Sprout and Couscous Salad

January 13, 2016 By Jaenell 10 Comments

Whoa! We’re just flying through January! Kristian and I took some time off between Christmas and New Years to relax and recharge (read: do all the housework and chores). I did manage to read a couple of really great books over the holidays, to sleep in on occasion — and to eat my weight in this roasted brussels sprout and couscous salad.

Packed with dark leafy greens, crispy roasted brussels sprouts, fluffy couscous, creamy avocado and a super simple vinaigrette — this salad is nutrient-dense, filling and delicious. And best of all, it doesn’t FEEL like you’re eating a salad. It feels hearty and warming and cozy, which is exactly what my body craves when it’s below freezing outside.

And though I’m not one to set New Years resolutions, a big bowl full of green sure does look pretty amazing after the overly indulgent holidays. Know what I mean?…

Skillet Chicken with Lemon White Wine Sauce

December 23, 2015 By Jaenell Leave a Comment

This crispy, saucy, delicious skillet chicken with lemon white wine sauce is weeknight dinner perfection, dotted with little salty bits of bacon, tart slices of lemon and garlicky shallots.

Lemon and white wine and bacon simmering in a hot cast iron skillet are what my cold weather foodie dreams are made of!

This crispy, saucy, delicious skillet chicken helps me to sloooow down and recharge during this crazy end of December season. Dotted with little salty bits of bacon, tart slices of lemon and garlicky shallots, the chicken is pan fried to a golden brown before swimming in that lemon white wine sauce. You’ll definitely need a few slices of crusty bread to sop it all up. And a glass of chilled wine, because the bottle was already open right? 🙂

1 pan + 11 simple ingredients + 40 minutes is all you need to pull together this protein-packed, fool-proof recipe. And really, you can kick up your heels with that glass of wine and a good book for half of that time while the chicken does it’s thang in the oven. Now that’s my kind of recipe….

Winter Pistachio Pomegranate Farro Salad

December 19, 2015 By Jaenell 1 Comment

Friends, this salad isn’t JUST a salad. It’s a hearty, crunchy, creamy, tart, luscious bowl of deliciousness that won’t leave you feeling hungry and reaching for snacks all afternoon. Packed with nutty, protein + fiber-rich farro, roasted pistachios, bright red pomegranate seeds, and tangy goat cheese — just toss with a super simple lemon vinaigrette and this Winter Pistachio Pomegranate Farro Salad comes together in 20 minutes or less.

You’ve got my word on that!

During the holiday season, we can get so caught up with all the shopping, wrapping, baking and party-going — it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. I often have to remind myself to slow down for a few minutes (or hours!) and know that it’s okay to just be for a little while. Something about a big bowl of nutrient-dense salad brings me back to a more mindful place — one that helps me make more intentional decisions, like making an extra trip to the gym or reaching for an apple rather than a second chocolate chip cookie….

Super Moist Spiced Pumpkin Bread

December 12, 2015 By Jaenell Leave a Comment

Cooler temps haven’t quite settled in for the winter season, which feels a little late here in Michigan — though I’m not one to complain. We had a few days of snow, which Lycka thoroughly enjoyed. And though the days are short and getting ever shorter, we’re still in this weird transition between fall and winter that makes me just want to wait it out indoors, cozied up in a warm sweater and slippers with a really good book.

And with this pumpkin bread. Can’t forget about that! Talk about cozy. Super moist, fluffy and lightly sweet, it’s perfect topped with tangy maple cream cheese frosting. It makes for the best breakfast on the go, afternoon snack, even dessert. Or all three, because why not?

I’m still hoping for a white Christmas though! It’s hard to believe it’s less than two weeks away. Got to get moving on that shopping list — and get a tree. We’re running a little behind this year. But I’m not stressing because I’ve got this dreamy pumpkin bread to keep me calm and happy, and to fuel the busy weekend ahead….

Creamy Green Bean Casserole

December 4, 2015 By Jaenell Leave a Comment

How was everyone’s Thanksgiving? K and I (and little miss Lycka, the cute puppy pictured at the end of this post) had an amazing time visiting family in Wisconsin. Took the week off work, drove around Lake Michigan and holed up in my dad’s gorgeous victorian home in a small town called Kiel. Five days of laughter, relaxation and really really good food. It’s just what we both needed.

We’re back in Michigan, and I’ve been spending a bit more time at the gym — because, pie… And K has been hard at work in our garage, building us a beautiful red oak kitchen table for our 1900 farmhouse. I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally have our very own kitchen table to have dinner parties, play games and do puzzles. No more balancing a plate in one hand from the couch! Okay, that’s still going to happen sometimes, let’s be honest.

And even lovelier because K will have built it with his own hands, with mostly reclaimed wood.

This time of year is my absolute favorite (you too??) — we move from Thanksgiving straight into Christmas, with holiday parties and drinks with friends and family gatherings and lots and lots of yummy food that we only make once (or twice) a year.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some of my favorite holiday recipes, lightened up a bit, and tips for making your holiday recipes a bit healthier — but still as delicious as ever. Because why wait until the new year to start treating yourself well?…