Sometimes it's hard not to reach for your favorite food, no matter how unhealthy it might be. Especially after you've stayed up 'till 3 am writing the perfect essay. When you're that tired and hungry, you're not going to care about calories, sugar intake, or saturated fats. But with these recipes there's no need to feel guilty... Turnip Anna has the perfect solution for you! Next time, instead of grabbing the usual, try some of these delicious and HEALTHY versions of your favorite junk foods! |
1. Mac & Cheese
Instead of buying boxed, ready-made macaroni and cheese, which contains 20+ unpronounceable chemical ingredients (when you can't pronounce an ingredient that's when you know it's bad), try making this awesome recipe.
Cooking Instructions:
- Cook and drain macaroni (according to package instructions).
- Heat butter in large skillet over medium-low heat. Cut onion into thin rings and add to pan, sauteing for aprox. 20 mins, until golden.
- Meanwhile, bring broth to a boil. Remove skin/seeds from butternut squash, cut the flesh into small cubes (aprox. 4-5 cups), and add to broth. Cook for aprox. 5-7 mins, until squash is tender when forked.
- Drain squash, saving 1/2 cup of broth. Put squash in blender. Add onions, milk, salt, and leftover broth, then puree until completely smooth and creamy (you should have aprox. 4 cups sauce).
- Pour puree over cooked macaroni, and add shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is sufficiently melted. Sprinkle parsley and salt/pepper to taste before serving.
2. Hamburgers
Don't these just look mouthwatering? While McDonalds hamburger meat only contains 15% actual beef, and 75% meat filler, which contains dangerous levels of ammonia, and can cause stomach and intestinal cancer (I'm NOT lovin' it! Check out the grossness here: What's really in a McDonald's Burger) , these awesome home-made burgers are all natural, and a way healthier alternative.
Cooking instructions:
*Recipe credit to Girls Gone Sporty, which also has some great vegetarian options (Masha Melon will love these ;)
- Heat a skillet over medium heat, and spray with coconut oil. Add onions (finely chopped) and saute until clear (aprox. 5 mins). Let cool.
- In a medium bowl, mix egg substitute, bread crumbs, chili powder, and sauteed onions. Lightly mix in ground beef. Carefully shape meat mixture into 4 patties, each about 1/2 inch thick.
- Spray a wide frying pan with coconut oil, and place over medium-high heat. Add hamburger patties and cook for aprox. 8-10 mins, turning once, until patties are lightly browned on both sides and juices run clear when knife is inserted.
- Serve on sprouted wheat buns .
*Recipe credit to Girls Gone Sporty, which also has some great vegetarian options (Masha Melon will love these ;)
3. Garlic French Fries
Instead of munching on some soggy, greasy fries, take a few extra minutes to make these crisp, flavorful, baked fries when you feel like crunching on a salty snack.
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450° and coat a large rimmed baking sheet with non-stick spray. Toss potatoes with 2 and 1/2 tbs oil in a large bowl, seasoned with salt and pepper. Arrange potato batons in a single layer on the baking sheet and put in oven.
- Roast the potatoes, turning occasionally, until browned and tender (aprox. 30 mins). Then increase heat to 500°, and continue roasting until fries are deep brown in spots (aprox. 5 mins).
- Whisk remaining oil (1/2 tbs) garlic, and parsley in a large bowl. Add hot fries, toss to coat, and season with additional salt and pepper.