New Year Healthy Recipes and Tips to Welcome a New Season
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Welcoming a new year with healthy recipes and tips to help you keep your resolutions and goals. Plus, super easy tips on healthy habits to begin this January and simple ways to eat healthy all year long!
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New Year Healthy Recipes and Tips
When ringing in a new year, thoughts of fresh starts and healthy habits often dominate January. With renewed resolve, we determine to begin a new year with mindful and healthful intentions.
Perusing articles to fuel my own resolve to keep our family healthy, I came across a myriad of articles promising “Best New Year’s Resolutions,” or “How to Improve Your Life According to Science,” or “10 Healthy Choices to Make,” according to the World Health Organization, or even, “9 Ways to Get Healthier Without Trying Very Hard.”
All are insightful and helpful articles. I studied them all! In each, there are similarities and common themes. To save you time, here is a very brief summary:
5 Healthy Habits to Begin a New Year
Think about incorporating these simple healthy habits into your daily life.
1. Eat a healthy diet
I love the Mediterranean Diet, but there are many ways to get the nutrients you need and still love the food you eat. Follow healthy eating plans for meal ideas (check out our weekly healthy dinners post for meal plans I publish every Saturday morning).
2. Be active
According to the World Health Organization, adults should aim for a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate activity. This includes walks and even household chores, like sweeping floors or climbing stairs, to improve cardiovascular health. For additional health benefits, they recommend increasing moderate-intensity physical activity to 300 minutes per week. For children and teens, they recommend 60 minutes of exercise per day.
3. Get enough sleep
The BBC says, “Research shows humans experience seasonal sleep, meaning they need more rest during the dark winter than they do during the summer. One German study found that people slept an hour longer in December than in June.” And, they recommend going to bed earlier and avoiding bright lights (like phones and tablets) in the 2 hours leading up to bedtime. They mention that “Recent research also found that having a consistent bedtime may help us to maintain a healthy gut.”
4. Be with people
Most articles stressed the importance of human-to-human interaction. In other words, be with people! The BBC said it well when they summarized, “Embrace life’s chaos.” If you don’t have an active social circle (like civic groups, church groups, or neighborhood groups), smiling at a stranger (see 5 Ways a Smile Can Change the World), chatting with a checker at the market, or even waving at your neighbors all count toward activating this healthy habit! You’ll be glad you did.
5. Get creative
This is a personal favorite. NPR writes, “Research shows that making art or even viewing it reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increases levels of the feel-good hormones, like endorphins and oxytocin.” If you don’t consider yourself to be a creative person, consider learning a new skill or trying a new hobby. Cooking delicious recipes comes to mind!
5 Healthy Eating Habits
Enjoying a healthy lifestyle also includes adding nourishing foods that fuel our bodies. Here are five easy ways to eat healthfully this year:
- Add fiber: Feeling hungry? Add more fiber to your diet. Studies show you can increase satiety hormones by eating more foods with fiber — especially fermentable fiber, which is found in foods like oats, rye, whole wheat, and many legumes.
- 5 A Day: According to NHS, eat a variety of 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
- Read food labels: Referencing food labels helps cut down on food additives like sodium, processed sugars, saturated fats, and trans-fatty acids.
- Increase water intake: Harvard Health recommends adult men drink 13 cups of water daily, 9 cups for adult women, teens (14-18 years) should drink 8-11 cups of water, and children 9-13 years should drink 7-8 cups.
- Eat a variety of foods: As you plan daily meals, try to eat a balanced and diversified diet, by incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts daily.
55 New Year Healthy Recipes
These New Year Healthy Recipes are some of my favorites, from breakfast to lunch, dinner, and snacks, including some treats too.
55 Healthy Recipes for a New Year
Heathy Starts
Healthy Mediterranean Egg Muffins
These Mediterranean Egg Muffins are a delicious way to enjoy a healthy breakfast. Simple to make, perfect for making ahead and having ready for quick morning meals, or protein-rich snacks. Packed with healthy Mediterranean ingredients and flavors, they are a go-to in the mornings.
Easy Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole
This Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole is an undeniably delicious way to begin your day! This easy-to-make meatless egg casserole is packed with wholesome ingredients like sweet potatoes, bell peppers, spinach, and incredible spices that combine all the flavors beautifully! Not only is it outstanding for breakfast… but for snacks too!
Easy Healthy Granola Recipe
This easy, healthy granola recipe is a whole grain, naturally sweetened nutrient-rich breakfast or snack that's easy to adapt with your favorite ingredients. A batch makes about 8 cups or 16 half-cup servings.
Healthy Oatmeal Smoothie
This healthy Oatmeal Smoothie recipe is a simple and easy, energizing breakfast to whip up in minutes with ingredients you likely have on hand. Filled with healthy protein, it's a delicious morning drink packed with flavors you will love.
Healthy Egg Bites Recipe
Quick breakfasts in the morning can still be healthy and delicious with this protein-rich easy-to-make Egg Bites Recipe made with fresh vegetables and herbs. Excellent breakfast on the go or as a healthy snack.
Make Ahead Egg Bites in Muffin Tins
Breakfast is served with these easy and oh-so-delicious Mini Frittatas made 3 ways, with simple ingredients, savory flavors, and healthy vegetables. Simple to make in muffin tins, these frittatas will satisfy every eater in your crowd.
Quick and Healthy Sweet Potato Hash
Sweet Potato Hash is a quick and healthy light meal, perfect for brunch, late dinners or mid-day Saturdays. Made in one skillet, sweet and spicy… and oh-so-delicious!
Healthy Breakfast Quinoa with Blueberries and Bananas
Breakfast Quinoa with blueberries and bananas is a healthy start to any morning. So satisfyingly delicious with cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla. Topped with sweet fresh fruit and nuts and drizzled with maple syrup or honey.
Blueberry Amish Baked Oatmeal
Blueberry Amish Baked Oatmeal is a cozy, hearty breakfast that's healthy and oh-so-satisfyingly delicious. Crispy oats warmed with cinnamon and sweetened with blueberries. It's a breakfast and healthy snack to love.
Breakfast Cookies: Easy and Healthy Morning Starts
These healthy Breakfast Cookies are gluten-free, low in sugar... and taste amazingly good. Guilt-free soft and chewy cookies for breakfast!
Whole Wheat Waffles Recipe
This Whole Wheat Waffles recipe is a delicious and healthy whole-grain waffle that's crisp, light, and utterly delicious. Made with 100% whole wheat flour, it has no refined sugar and freezes beautifully.
Healthy Baked Oatmeal Cups
These healthy Baked Oatmeal Cups contain no refined sugar and are utterly delicious. Plus, you can make them 4 different ways to satisfy everyone. From apple cinnamon to blueberry, banana, or simply plain. Easy to make in about 30 minutes.
Healthy Pantry Staple: Banana Oat Muffins
Banana Oat Muffins... a healthy pantry staple recipe to have on hand for busy mornings. Reminiscent of its cousin and comfort food classic, banana bread, these muffins are quick, hearty and filling. A perfect option for breakfast, snacks or brown bag lunches.
Blueberry Oat Muffins for Healthy Mornings
Healthy Morning Blueberry Oat Muffins: a delicious grab-and-go breakfast that is incredibly healthy and energizing. Slightly sweet, easy to make, and freezes well for quick and healthy breakfasts, sack lunches, or snacks.
Healthy Soup and Brunch Recipes
Easy Crustless Quiche with Bacon, Cheese and Spinach
This Crustless Quiche with Bacon, Cheese, and Spinach is an easy, delicious and simple quiche made healthier and low carb without a crust. Much like our always popular Bacon, Cheese, and Spinach Quiche.
15 Minute White Bean Soup with Garden Vegetables
Do you have 15 minutes for a warm and yummy White Bean Soup? For a warm and cozy meal on a blustery day? For me? Any day of the week! Plus... it's healthy too and packed with vegetables like onion, garlic, carrots, green beans, tomatoes and spinach.
Easy Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
This creamy root vegetable soup is perfect for a chilly, winter day. Root vegetables simmer in a fragrant broth before being pureed into a velvety, delicious soup. Ready in 35 minutes or less!
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Turmeric and Cumin
This Creamy Cauliflower Soup is a hearty and velvety soup flavored with warm spices of turmeric, cumin, and red pepper flakes. It's an incredibly delicious, bright, and vibrant soup ready in 15 to 20 minutes.
Chicken and White Bean Soup
This Chicken and White Bean Soup is a comforting, healthy bowl of deliciousness. Simple to make in 30 minutes, it’s filled with a handful of wholesome ingredients and tender chicken. It’s an easy meal to warm up with on chilly days!
Spicy White Bean Soup with Kale
This White Bean Stew with Kale is a spicy and hearty bowl of healthy, creamy comfort food, ready in about 20 minutes. With a vibrant blend of herbs and spices, much like Harissa, often found in Tunisian cuisine.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup recipe is amazingly delicious, packed with flavor, and super quick and easy to make. The flavors blend beautifully and makes for a delicious lunch or light dinner.
A Classic Ribollita: Tuscan Bean Soup Recipe
Tuscan Bean Soup, otherwise known as Ribollita, is a 15th-century traditional fall and winter soup, brimming with seasonal healthy superfoods like kale and squash. And incredibly soul-satisfying and delicious!
Easy Mushroom Barley Soup
This simple Mushroom Barley Soup is packed with healthy ingredients like barley, vegetables, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. Easy to make from scratch and incredibly delicious.
Chicken Noodle Soup with Mushrooms
There's nothing quite like a pot of Chicken Noodle Soup with Mushrooms bubbling on the stove. For me, the aroma alone brings comfort and joy... a sense of home and belonging. A sense of well-being. As if, in that moment, everything is right with the world.
Moroccan Bean Soup
This Mediterranean-inspired Moroccan Bean Soup is a quick-fix but hardy meatless soup filled with beautiful, fragrant flavors. It's a healthy one-pot meal, cooked in 20 minutes, that can be served with poached eggs or even chicken, lamb, or beef for additional protein.
Snacks and Breads
Greek Yogurt Banana Bread
This Greek Yogurt Banana Bread recipe is moist and sweet, and creamy. A perfect balance of ripe bananas, creamy yogurt, and vanilla. Made even sweeter with a dash of chocolate chips.
Oat Crackers: a Homemade Healthy Snack
These homemade crackers recipe is a healthy oat cracker and super easy to make from scratch. Perfect for snacks and parties, it's a crispy, savory cracker that's full of flavor with no additives.
White Bean Stew with Swiss Chard
White Bean Stew with Swiss Chard is a hearty bowl of healthy, creamy comfort food, quickly cooked in about 20 minutes. Topped with feta and fresh parsley and so incredibly delicious, you'll be making it often!
100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
This 100% Whole Wheat Bread recipe makes easy, healthy loaves of soft, incredibly flavorful homemade bread. Perfect for toast, sandwiches, or snacking.
Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Oat Bread
This healthy Whole Wheat Banana Oat Bread is moist, slightly sweet, and deliciously satisfying. It's the flavors and texture you love in banana bread like cinnamon and vanilla, just made with healthy whole grains.
Traditional Brown Irish Soda Bread
Traditional Brown Irish Soda Bread is a classic quick bread that has stood the test of time. It's simple and quick to make, perfect for Irish stew or Dublin Coddle... or daily baking. Containing only 4 ingredients, it's a healthy and authentic way to enjoy Irish food.
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins with No Refined Sugar
These Healthy Pumpkin Muffins contain no refined sugar and make the most delicious pumpkin spice muffins. Packed with the warm spices you expect, they are a no-guilt, healthier treat for breakfast, snacks, or dessert in the fall.
Healthy Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Chocolate Chips
Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Chocolate Chips -- a healthy, energy boosting, chewy and soft homemade granola bar that's so much better than it's store-bought cousin.
2 Minute Greek Dill Yogurt Sauce
This oh-so-simple Dill Yogurt Sauce is a delicious and creamy Greek tzatziki-influenced quick versatile dip for all things healthy and all things delicious. Perfect for entertaining and snacking. If you have 2 minutes, and 4 simple ingredients, this dip is ready to go!
Crispy Curry Roasted Chickpeas
These Crispy Curry Roasted Chickpeas are a favorite. They're easy, and make nutritious snacks or additions to salads and more. And... they're really, really good!
5 Minute Greek Tzatziki Sauce
This Greek Tzatziki Sauce or dip will become your favorite summer meal addition. Bright with fresh flavors, and aromatic herbs, it's a healthy and easy sauce to make in 5 minutes or less.
Easy 5 Minute Hummus Recipe
This homemade hummus recipe is a quick and easy, healthy party food or afternoon snack that’s utterly addictive, creamy, and delicious, and made with about 4 ingredients in 5 minutes or less.
Main Meals
Roasted Cauliflower Bowls with Greek Tzatziki and Sweet Potatoes
These Roasted Cauliflower Bowls are an incredible Mediterranean-inspired warm salad with ample creamy Greek Tzatziki sauce, sliced cucumbers, avocados, and feta. A vegetarian meal that’s so good, you will make it often!
Easy Greek Turkey Burgers
Easy Greek Turkey Burgers are the ultimate healthy burger upgrade! These juicy and delicious burgers with Tzatziki sauce have incredible bursts of flavor, are easy to make, and utterly transform your turkey burger forever!
Slow Cooker Longevity Ikarian Stew
Slow Cooker Ikarian Stew is a delicious and hearty mixture of black-eyed peas, vegetables, and spices slowly cooked, and perfect for a chilly day.
4 Ingredient Pasta Recipe with Broccoli and Feta
This healthy 4 Ingredient Pasta with Broccoli and Feta is a simple pasta dish made in minutes. Healthy, satisfying, and delicious.
Easy Sheet Pan Baked Fish with Vegetables
This easy recipe for Sheet Pan Baked Fish with Vegetables is a perfect quick and healthy dinner served with snow peas, potatoes & zucchini.
15 Minute Spanish Baked Cod Recipe
This 15 minute Spanish Baked Cod recipe is a super easy, deliciously flavored, oven baked cod recipe that’s moist and juicy with almost zero prep. And with only a handful of ingredients, it’s a perfect dish to make on busy days.
10 Minute Air Fryer Salmon
If you have 10 minutes and want a healthy, quick and easy meal, this Air Fryer Salmon is your answer. With seared, crispy edges and tender, flaky center, it’s a salmon recipe you’ll find yourself making often!
Quick, Healthy and Simple Fish Stew
Akin to bouillabaisse or cioppino, this Quick, Healthy, and Simple Fish Stew shaves down ingredients and time. The results? Simplicity at its best in under 30 minutes.
Easy Sheet Pan Ratatouille
Sheet Pan Ratatouille is a delicious and easy way to cook your favorite vegetables. A caramelized, tender, and delicious Mediterranean dish.
Healthy Vegetarian Chili Recipe
This Vegetarian Chili recipe is utterly delicious, super healthy, and packed with vegetables, pantry staples, like beans and tomatoes-- and is filled with smokey flavor!
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Pho
For those days when you’re craving pho and tempted for takeout, this easy Vietnamese-style Instant Pot Chicken Pho recipe will change your mind. Ready in just 15 minutes it is still packed with flavor, delicious in every way, and more simple and easy than you can believe.
Simple Mediterranean Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
Mediterranean Sheet Pan Greek Chicken is a simple dinner recipe with delicious and juicy chicken, Greek flavors, and roasted vegetables. It's a one-pan dinner that's easy to make and incredibly delicious!
Mediterranean Greek Chicken and Orzo Skillet
Greek Chicken and Orzo Skillet is an incredibly delicious one-pot dinner with Greek-inspired Mediterranean chicken cooked with bell peppers and orzo pasta. It's healthy, perfect for summer with fresh tomatoes, herbs, olives, feta cheese, and a creamy Greek tzatziki-inspired sauce.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowl Recipe
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowl recipe is one of the easiest Mexican-inspired crockpot dinners you can make. Packed with delicious Southwest flavor, it requires zero prep, and is a one-pot dinner you'll love.
Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice
Instant Pot Greek Chicken and Rice is an easy but incredibly flavored Mediterranean chicken and rice recipe inspired by our favorite Greek Chicken. And, it's ready in 20 minutes. Perfect for dinners, any day of the week!
Greek Chicken with Yogurt Cucumber Salad
his Greek Chicken with Cucumber Salad is an easy, refreshing meal with herbed yogurt coated chicken seared quickly in a skillet, and served with fresh cucumber and tomato salad.
My favorite healthy recipes at 31Daily
- Easy Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
- Easy Instant Pot Chicken Pho
- Baked Oatmeal Cups with No Refined Sugar
- Healthy Banana Bread (Naturally Sweetened)
- Healthy Egg Bites Recipe
- Roasted Cauliflower Bowls with Greek Tzatziki and Sweet Potatoes
- Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Turmeric and Cumin
- 15 Minute Chicken and Broccoli