Healthier Habits for the Next Year and Beyond
The new year has arrived, bringing along more wintry weather and the promise of a whole year to fill with excitement. It’s easy to feel sluggish and unmotivated in the cold, slushy darkness of these long winter months, but January can also be a time to think about change, renewal, and growth for the coming year. Let’s celebrate the start of a new year (and a new decade!) by committing ourselves to forming a new healthy or environmentally-friendly habit. Maybe you want to remember to bring your reusable bag to the Co-op every single time you shop, or pledge to get more exercise on a weekly basis. My goal? Cook more for myself! I love to be creative in the kitchen, but I tend to find myself reaching for the ease of pre-made foods more often when it gets dark at 4:30pm. This January, I resolve to get into my tiny kitchen, turn on some fun music, and cook wholesome, veggie-heavy dinners that make a lot of leftovers at least two to three times a week. Join me in trying some of these healthy, delicious recipes this month:
Recipes:
Sheet Pan Steak with Blue Cheese and Broccoli Sheet-pan recipes like this one offer fast, easy, and yummy results without a ton of dishes to clean up. Make sure to use Vermont beef to keep it local!
Greek Spinach Frittata Eggs are one of my go-tos when I need something full of protein but fast, and this spanakopita-inspired dish looks like it would be the perfect start to a Greek-themed "breakfast for dinner".
Chickpea Apple Salad Sandwich I like being creative when it comes to packing a lunch, and this combo is something I’ve never tried before. I love that it can be eaten as a sandwich or a cold salad. I’m definitely adding it to my list!
Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry I love using tofu as a protein source, and stir frying is a great way to get dinner ready quickly. I can also see adding extra veggies to this recipe for some extra nutrients, like fresh Napa cabbage or bell peppers.
Ancient Grains & Turkey Meatballs A meal that’s warm, comforting, and has the added benefits of ancient whole grains? Sign me up! I can also see spicing these meatballs with different spice mixes to change up the recipe once in a while.
Carrot & Sugar Snap Salad with Miso-Maple Dressing A fresh, crunchy salad is just the thing to brighten up a dreary winter day. The sugar snap peas in this recipe make me think of spring, and the maple in the dressing adds just the right touch of sweetness.
Crockpot Calico Beans One of my other goals this January is to eat less meat, and beans are a great source of protein and fiber. I love the ease of crockpot meals as well—who doesn’t want to come back to something delicious after a day at work?
Sausage, Kale, and Potato Soup A big pot of soup is one of my favorite things to make during the winter, and this one looks like a great combination of flavors. And it makes lots of leftovers!
Hopefully these recipes will inspire you to start building a bigger cooking habit of your own as I work to build mine. Spending time in the kitchen can be fun and rewarding, a method of saving money, and a good way to connect with and support your local food producers.
For more amazing recipe inspiration, check out City Market’s recipes page, where you can search by ingredients, category, or browse the latest additions to the collection.
Also keep an eye out for our We <3 Local Food Contest, coming up for the month of February. All month long, we’ll be asking City Market shoppers why they love local foods and beverages, and celebrating all things local with in-store demos, giveaways, and more!