Healthy Recipes for Spring
As warm weather rolls in, you may be eager to find new spring recipes to try this season. Keep things fresh and healthy in your kitchen with these three quick and easy recipes!
Pasta Salad with Apple Cider Vinegar
Pasta salad is the perfect spring recipe, and spinning it with apple cider vinegar gives it an additional healthy boost. Apple cider vinegar can help you maintain your blood sugar levels and promote a healthy heart. It may also aid in weight loss, and a topical dose of apple cider vinegar can help dry skin and eczema.
Start by cooking 12 oz of your favorite whole grain pasta according to the package and set aside. Next, combine two tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of lemon juice, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of Italian seasoning in a medium bowl. Pour the liquid mixture over the pasta and stir. Then add 1 cup of chopped Roma tomatoes, 1 cup of chopped cucumbers, and ½ cup of fresh basil. Stir everything together and enjoy!
Beet Gazpacho
If you’re a fan of cold-weather soups, but don’t want something heavy for the spring, try a chilled beet gazpacho. Beets are rich in minerals and vitamins such as B9, essential for growing cells. Beets also have lots of nitrates, which can help lower blood pressure. Plus, they’re high in fiber to promote healthy bacteria in the gut and improve the digestive system.
Start by placing 3 to 4 medium beets in boiling water. Let the beets cook for 50 to 60 minutes or until tender. Once the beets are tender, take them off the heat and let them cool in the water. When the beets are cool, use your hands to peel the skins off. Place the beets in a blender with 2 cups of cold low-sodium veggie stock, half a chopped onion, two garlic cloves, two small sliced cucumbers, two tablespoons of vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Blend until smooth. You can eat as is or garnish the gazpacho with sliced beets, cucumber, and fresh dill.
Ground Turkey and Black Bean Skillet
Skillets are the perfect meals for something quick and easy with minor cleanup. Plus, black beans are full of fiber to manage your cholesterol levels and reduce your chances of heart disease. The high fiber in black beans also helps the digestive system and promotes regular bowel movements.
Start by browning 1 pound of lean ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat and breaking up the meat as it cooks. Once you cook the turkey, add one teaspoon of cumin and a dash of salt. Move the turkey to the side of the skillet so you can see the bottom. Add half a chopped onion and one tablespoon of tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Next, stir in 1 can of rinsed and drained black beans, 1 cup of fresh or frozen corn kernels, one diced tomato, one clove of minced garlic, and ¼ cup of low-sodium vegetable stock. Let the mixture cook for about 1 minute, then add one large sliced zucchini. Stir everything together and cover the skillet. Let the skillet cook for 5 minutes on medium heat, occasionally stirring to keep the food from sticking. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow it to cool before eating.
Working with Visiting Angels
If you need help in the kitchen this spring, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Our Manassas office serves Prince William and Western Fairfax counties, including Fort Belvoir and Lorton. In addition to cooking and meal preparation services, we also offer a range of non-medical tasks like medication reminders, light housekeeping, mobility assistance, personal grooming, transportation, and more. If you’d like to learn more about our services, you can complete this form online or call us at 703.530.8811.