Keep Your Food Exciting + 2 New Recipes [3 Minute Omelette & Zesty Thai Wraps]

Hello! Mark here and one of the biggest challenges we have in our house is keeping our meals quick, exciting and tasty. Let’s face it, living a busy life can easily turn us into “food creature of habits” by eating the same thing over and over again. That food monotony quickly evolves into a rut and boredom. And once food boredom enters the equation you’re on the brink of cracking and falling off plan.

To help, here are 3 simple strategies that we use as a family to prevent the food boredom bug + 2 New Recipes.

1) Use spices, herbs and free foods

Spices, herbs and free foods (like low cal veggies and balsamic vinegar) are your best friend when it comes to making healthy food taste great. Whether it’s adding garlic, onion and basil to bring your chicken dish to life, or a dash of cinnamon to spice up your oatmeal or some balsamic vinegar to give your salad a bold flavor boost, simple examples like these really help keep your taste buds happy.

Each week focus on adding one new spice, herb and free food to your meals, you’ll quickly see the difference that little adjustment makes.

2) Add sweetness to your meals

Your taste buds love variety, salty, sour and sweet and the cleaner foods you eat the more your taste buds will adapt to healthier food. But regardless of how clean you eat, you will occasionally want some extra sweetness added to your meals. It can be as simple as adding stevia (natural sweetener) to your coffee instead of sugar, or eating your favorite chocolate protein bar instead of a candy bar or one of my personal favorites, having a stick of sugar free gum after a meal. The key is to choose the healthy sweets you enjoy and add them consistently to your meals, your taste buds will thank you!

3) Experiment with new foods and recipes

Variety is king when it comes to keeping your food exciting. Which is exactly why each week you should make a new recipe or add 1-2 new types of food. To get started here’s a super fast omelette recipe and zesty Thai wrap dish, dive in and give them both a go:

Zesty Thai Lettuce Wraps

Created by Recipe Contributor Paula Lippert

Thrive Phase and Body Confidence Approved

Gourmet Style

Beat the boredom! Delicious and bursting with flavor, Zesty Thai Lettuce Wraps are a great idea for entertaining a group or serving a family- style meal! They can also be made ahead
and reheated at any time.

Makes: 8 Servings
Serving size: 3 ounces cooked ground turkey/chicken

Calories per serving: 175
Protein per serving: 20 grams
Fat per serving: 7 grams
Carbohydrates per serving: 6 grams

Ingredients:

Fat-free cooking spray
2 pounds 93% lean ground chicken or turkey
½ cup minced shallots or onions
4 ounces shredded carrots
½ cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
2½ tablespoons minced garlic
1 can chopped water chestnuts (optional)
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons fish sauce (optional, omit for fish allergies)
4 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce (optional, can substitute red pepper flakes for a no- sodium choice)
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Iceberg lettuce leaves
Lime wedges

Method of Preparation:

Heat nonstick, medium-size skillet over medium heat. Coat with fat-free cooking spray.
Add ground chicken/turkey and cook about 15 minutes or until browned.
Add shallots, carrots, bell peppers, garlic, and water chestnuts and cook about 15 minutes or until tender.
Add soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes, pepper and cook for 5–10 minutes, or until tender and flavors are infused together.
Spoon the mixture into the iceberg lettuce leaves to make the wraps and garnish with lime wedges.

What is the nutritional balance?

This recipe is primarily protein and fat. Please add a veggie on the side for additional carbohydrates.

Three-Minute Omelet with Mozzarella, Sweet Tomato, and Fresh Basil

Created by VN Chef Valerie Cogswell

Thrive Phase and Body Confidence Approved

Grab ‘n’ Go

In a rush most mornings? This easy breakfast has a balance of complete protein, carbohydrates, and fat to help you burn fat and feel your best all day long. Best of all, this recipe takes only minutes to make in the microwave and has simple yet delicious ingredients like sweet grape tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese.

Makes: 1 Serving
Serving size: 1 omelet

Calories per serving: 177
Protein per serving: 22 grams
Fat per serving: 7 grams
Carbohydrates per serving: 3 grams

Ingredients:

Fat-free cooking spray
3 egg whites
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Handful sweet grape tomatoes, sliced in half
Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh basil

Method of Preparation:

Spray a microwave- safe bowl with fat-free cooking spray.
Add egg whites to bowl and cook in microwave for 1½–2 minutes, or until eggs are almost set.
Top with cheese and microwave another 30 seconds.
Top with tomatoes.
Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with fresh torn basil leaves.
Serve with a little fresh fruit on the side to make sure you’re getting enough carbs.
Enjoy!