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Eating healthy is a struggle for us all—in the fast-paced world we live in, we tend to solely base our eating habits on what is convenient. Taking the time to cook a healthy, hearty meal is sometimes not in our schedule. For beginning cooks, cooking dinner is intimidating enough, and putting yourself in the kitchen can be a very overwhelming struggle.
Preparing your meals from your home can be the healthier and cheaper route to your meals. Below are a few simple, fast recipes to fit anyone’s schedule, budget, and calorie limitations.
1) Crispy Ranch Chicken
Ingredients: 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, 2 (1 oz.) packets of ranch dressing mix (to keep it healthy, get the low-fat mix), and ¼ cup of dry bread crumbs.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Step 2: Put dressing mix and bread crumbs in a large zip lock bag or bowl, and then add the chicken breasts. Shake/mix until chicken breasts are coated.
Step 3: Put chicken breasts on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes (or until cooked thoroughly). Serve with your choice of other healthy sides.
2) Fish Tacos
Ingredients: 1 10 oz. package of extra crunchy fish tenders of your choice, 8-inch flour tortillas (amount depends on how many people you are feeding), 1 small red onion (thinly sliced), 1 10 oz. jar of tartar sauce, 1 ½ cups of romaine lettuce.
Step 1: Bake the fish according to the instructions on your choice of fish tenders.
Step 2: Wrap the tortillas in foil and place in oven during the last 5 min. of baking the fish tenders
Step 3: To prepare tacos, put tortillas on a plate, place 2 fish tenders in the tortilla, and top with a few slices of onion, one dash of tartar sauce, and a dash of romaine lettuce.
3) Southwestern Salad
Ingredients: Romaine lettuce, Low-Fat Southwestern Ranch Dressing, Fritos or corn chips of your choice, low-fat shredded cheese, 1 can of black beans
Step 1: Cook black beans according to directions on can
Step 2: Put your lettuce in a bowl, and add crushed Fritos, shredded cheese, black beans and southwestern ranch and mix together.