There’s nothing like a bowl of homemade soup for instant comfort. Use this Easy Lentil Soup recipe for a light dinner or quick lunch. It’s easy to make, tastes delicious and is low in fat. What’s more it’s full of natural protein. And guess what? Lentils are packed with cholesterol-lowering fiber.
What you need
Serves 8
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
½ cup finely chopped carrot
½ cup finely chopped celery
2 teaspoons salt
1 pound lentils, picked and rinsed
1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes
2 quarts chicken broth, fat free, reduced sodium
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground toasted cumin
Optional, spoonful of fat free cottage cheese
Optional, dried parsley
Instructions
1. Put the olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven and place over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and salt. Sauté for 6 to 7 minutes.
2. Add the lentils, tomatoes, broth, coriander and cumin; stir to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook at a low simmer until the lentils are tender, about 40 minutes.
3. Using a stick blender, puree the soup to your desired consistency. Serve with cottage cheese and sprinkle with dried parsley if desired.
Nutrition
One serving equals 240 calories, 2g fat, 35g carbohydrate, 18g fiber, and 16g protein.
To really succeed with your fat loss goal, it’s important to keep your meals light, lean and filled with protein. Try this recipe for marinating and grilling chicken. Make lots and pack for a week of healthy lunches paired with veggies or dark leafy greens.
What you need
Serves 4
1 ½ Cup Sake
½ Cup Coconut Aminos (or light soy sauce)
¼ Cup Swerve sweetener – sugar replacement
2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Garlic- minced
3 inch Piece of Ginger, thinly sliced
Salt and Pepper
2 LBS Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs, trimmed
Instructions
1. Preheat the grill to medium high.
2. Combine the sake, coconut aminos, swerve, olive oil, garlic and ginger in a large ziplock bag. Generously salt and pepper the chicken thighs and add to the bag of marinade. Seal the bag and place in the fridge for 1 to 4 hours, turning once.
3. Grill until the chicken thighs are cooked through. Enjoy!
Nutrition
One serving equals 493 calories, 10g fat, 9g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, and 56g protein.
Is there anything better than a dinner that only dirties up one pot while cooking? This delicious chicken and veggie dinner keeps clean up to the minimum, and the fitness payoff to the max! Not to mention it tastes phenomenal (even the kids will eat it!)
Cooking a healthy dinner at home does not have to be complicated or take lots of time. This simple recipe for chicken tenders and veggies will only take you about 30 minutes from start to finish. Meals that are rich in protein and fiber and low in carbs, like this one, will help you build muscle and stay lean.
What you need
Serves 5
2 cups butternut squash, cubed
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
1 pound organic chicken breast tenders
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon crushed rosemary plus a dash more
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika plus a dash more
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme plus a dash more
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
dash of pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
pinch of ground cumin
3 organic zucchini, cut into half moons
2 large heirloom tomatoes, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
1. In a large skillet heat 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil over medium heat. Add the cubed butternut squash and sauté, covered, for about five minutes, until tender. Transfer the squash to a bowl, then set the skillet back on medium heat.
2. Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, add to the hot skillet. Sear for about 5 minutes, until browned on all sides.
3. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Sprinkle with all the seasonings. Add the remaining ingredients and cook, covered, for 15 minutes. Add the butternut squash back into the pot for the remaining 5 minutes.
Nutrition
One serving equals 192 calories, 6g fat, 424mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, and 20g protein
What’s more comforting this time of year than a warm bowl of homemade chicken soup? Not the stuff from a can – I’m talking about steaming, fragrant soup that starts with real vegetables and wholesome chicken. Not only is a bowl of this soup delicious and soul tickling, it’s also a great, light meal to keep you on track with your fitness and fat loss goals!
This chicken soup recipe is made without added carbs like noodles or potatoes. It’s filled with fiber, protein and lots of delicious flavor. Enjoy this on a cold winter day!
What you need
Serves 8
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 medium organic yellow onion, chopped
3 carrots, grated
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon curry powder
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 quarts chicken broth
3 cups diced roasted chicken
1 bay leaf
1 organic apple, chopped
dash of salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
zest from 1 lemon
2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
Instructions
1.In a large pot, over medium heat, melt the coconut oil and add the onion, carrots and celery. After 5 minutes add the garlic and curry powder.
2. After a couple minutes add the chicken broth, chicken, bay leaf, apple, pepper, thyme, and lemon zest. Stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes.
3. Stir in the coconut milk, and some salt if desired, remove the bay leaf and serve.
Nutrition
One serving equals 166 calories, 5g fat, 175mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 19g protein