It's cold. It's dark. It's winter. Feeling like hibernating? Understandable. But just because your body wants to slow down a bit doesn't mean it's any less deserving of great nutrition. Winter is the time of warm soups, hot drinks, and little indulgences. Here are a few of our favorite winter recipes. They'll warm you up and bring a bit of comfort, all without sacrificing good health.
Beet Root Powder Baking: Baked goods are, well, good! In moderation, you can work them into any healthy diet. Baked goods made with beet root powder are even better. Beets add a beautiful, rich color to your baking, plus you'll get a little extra nutrition in every delicious bite. There are tons of recipes for beet root baked goods, but here's one we really love to get you started: https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Red-Velvet-Bars-2704666
Spiced Nuts: Nuts like walnuts, cashews, and almonds are nutritious, filling, and full of healthy fats. You could eat them plain, but why not take it up a notch and make spiced nuts? Bake a tray of nuts with a bit of olive oil and some of your favorite spices. The end result will be a savory, crunchy, warm treat. Try this recipe, or make up your own! https://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/spiced-rosemary-and-thyme-nuts-recipe/
Oatmeal: Oatmeal is warm, filling, and the perfect way to start a busy winter's day. Plus you can customize it any way you like to suit your particular tastes and nutrition goals. Add nuts, dried fruit, greens or beet root powder, or anything else you please. Warm oatmeal on the stove is perfect for a cold day, but overnight oats can be a time saver if your mornings tend to get a little hectic. Here are a few add-in ideas for either type: https://www.littlehouseliving.com/make-perfect-oatmeal-add-ideas.html
Baked Fruits: Plain fruit: crunchy, sweet, nutritious, and good. Baked fruit: warm, sweet, delicious, and even better. A healthy indulgence, baked apples and pears are a decadent way to top off a meal. Vary the amount of sweetener and add-ins to match your nutrition goals, or start out with a recipe like this one: https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-pears-with-walnuts-and-honey/
Warm Salad: Salads don't have to be served cold. Some might even say they're better warm. And if you're having trouble getting enough vegetables this winter, a warm salad could be just the ticket to help you meet your nutritional goals. Warm salads feature roasted vegetables and warmed greens, all mixed together with delicious add-ins. Give this recipe a try to get the basics, then make up your own! https://www.hungryhealthyhappy.com/roasted-vegetable-winter-salad/#recipe-card
Soups: We saved the best for last. Soups are one of the best ways to stay warm, full, hydrated, and nourished in the winter. Broth based soups provide plenty of water, which your body needs just as much in the winter as it does in the summer. There are endless possibilities when it comes to what you add to your soups, which means you can craft your dinner to exactly meet your tastes. Add a scoop of greens powder to the following recipe for a little extra nutritional punch: https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/green-goddess-immune-boosting-soup/