Our Favorite Spring Recipes for Weight Loss

The weather is warming and it’s almost shorts and tank top time. After a long winter of soups and stews, let’s shift gears to easy, delicious lighter meals based around fresh seasonal ingredients. Use these spring recipes to drop those extra winter pounds.

Favorite Post-Workout Shake

Delicious, filling and wonderful! This shake can also sub in for breakfast or a snack.

Cherry Almond Love Smoothie
Serves 1
Calories 270, Carb 25, Fat 15g, Protein 11g

2 
leaves
 kale 
(stocks removed, spinach can be subbed)
1 
cup nut milk
2
 tbsp almond/peanut/nut butter
2 
tbsp hemp hearts
½ cup 
frozen 
cherries
½ tsp almond
 extract
A couple of shakes of cinnamon (to taste)
1 scoop protein powder
Ice 
(optional)

Combine and enjoy.

Dust-Off-the-Grill Main Dish

Quick, easy, delicious. Batch and freeze works really well here for your busiest days.

Sundried Tomato and Harissa Turkey Burger
Serves 4
Modified from Amelia Freer, Cook. Nourish. Glow.
Calories 216, Carbs 3g, Fat 12g, Protein 24g

1 pound ground turkey
2 shallots, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
4 tbsp chopped herbs (parsley, cilantro, basil, etc.)
6 sun-dried tomatoes, minced
1 egg
2 tsp harissa paste (can sub Sriracha)
Salt and pepper to taste
Coconut oil

Heat grill to 400. Combine ingredients and divide into four patties about 1 inch thick. Refrigerate for about 30 min. Grill for 20-25 min. turning half-way through. Serve w/ lettuce, avocado and tomato. Top w/ Dijon mustard. So good, no bun is needed.

Garden-Inspired Seasonal Veggies

Lots of veggies to fill your plate with color, fiber, phytonutrients, micronutrients and goodness!

Peanut Ginger Asian Slaw
Serves 6
From Jennifer Segal
Calories 339, Carbs 33g, Fat 21g, Protein 8g

4 cups prepared shredded coleslaw
2 cups prepared shredded carrots
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced into bite-sized pieces
2 medium scallions, finely sliced
½ cup chopped salted peanuts (or you can leave them whole)
½ cup loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro

In a medium bowl, stir dressing ingredients until well-combined. In a large bowl, mix slaw ingredients and toss with dressing. Let sit for 10 minutes so flavors mingle. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Dressing
2 tbsp honey (can sub maple syrup)
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tbsp coconut aminos
1 tsp Asian sesame oil
1 tbsp peanut butter
½ tsp salt
½ tsp Sriracha sauce
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 large garlic clove, minced

Combine all ingredients.

Spinach Salad with Strawberries
Serves 4
Calories 129, Carbs 10g, Fat 8g, Protein 7g

1 lb. baby spinach (4 large handfuls)
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 cup almonds or pecans
½ red onion, diced (or sliced thinly)
½ cup fennel, thinly sliced (optional)
1 avocado, diced

Dressing:
4 tsp raw apple cider vinegar
2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
⅓ cup coconut oil (or olive oil)
maple syrup or honey to taste
pinch of salt & fresh ground pepper

Rinse and dry spinach. Sliver the nuts to be bite sized. Place spinach, strawberries, nuts, onion, fennel and avocado in a salad bowl. Mix dressing ingredients and toss.

Tomato Avocado Herb Salad
Serves 4
From Thekitchn.com
Calories 250, Carbs 16g, Fat 22g, Protein 3g

2 avocados, peeled, pitted, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 medium English cucumber, chopped
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro, basil, parsley, dill, or tarragon
Juice from 1 large lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, onion and herbs in a large bowl. Squeeze the lemon juice over top, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine.

Our Favorite Snack

Obsessed with these!

Everything Bagel Cashews
From Clean Plate, Paltrow
Serving Size ¼ cup, Calories 160, Carbs 11g, Fat 11g, Protein 5g

1 cup raw cashews
1 tbsp avocado oil
2 tsp crushed dried onion
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp crushed dried garlic
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp poppy seeds
1 tsp coarse salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine cashews and oil in a medium bowl. Spread the nuts. Bake the nuts for about 15 min. In another medium bowl, combine seasoning. Toss the nuts with the spice mix and let them cool before serving.

For more info on feeling your best through smarter food choices (and fitting into your summer shorts), contact our holistic nutritionists and learn more about our Natural Weight Loss Program. Book a free 20-minute consultation with Healthy Nest Nutrition owner Robin Hutchinson to see if our programs are right for you.