Butternut Squash & Spinach Pasta

There's something about a great pasta dish that I find super comforting at the end of a long day. I love the below recipe because it includes plenty of hearty veggies so you can indulge a little without the guilt. Big thanks to Sam Owades for this inspired recipe :)

Butternut Squash: No surprise here, but I get excited when Butternut Squash comes back in season and I get to make some of my favorite recipes! It's high in fiber (helps with heart health), Contains B6 (needed for proper function of our nervous and immune systems), and has a significant amount of potassium (a mineral that is needed for proper function of literally every single cell in your body-that's pretty cool).

Spinach: Spinach is packed with nutritional benefits: It's loaded with phytonutrients that are necessary for healthy vision. It also contains Vitamin E which helps to stimulate the immune system and keep brain cells healthy by eliminating free-radicals. And then of course there's the high iron content (known for boosting Popeye's strength). Iron is needed for hemoglobin production and hemoglobin is a major component of energy.

Butternut Squash & Spinach Papardelle

• 2 Medium Butternut Squash Cubed (approx 1/2 in)
• 2 Medium Sweet Onions Coarsely Chopped
• 1 tbsp Garlic Chopped
• 1 Bag Fresh Spinach
• 6 Oz. Goat Cheese (1 small log)
• 3/4 Lb Pasta (Papardalle or Tube works best)

Toss Squash, Onion & Garlic in Olive Oil so there's a thin coat and add Salt & Pepper to taste. Place squash mixture in a large skillet over medium high heat and saute until soft (approx 15 minutes). Stir frequently.

While squash sautes, bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta per package directions.

When the squash is done, place in large serving dish. Add about a quarter of the goat cheese at a time until the squash is evenly covered but not heavily. Add fresh spinach to squash mixture and gently toss so spinach begins to wilt. Lastly, add cooked pasta and give on last toss and enjoy!

Sources: The 3-Day Cleanse, by Zoe Sakoutis and Erica Huss

Zucchini Marinara

Zucchini Marinara is the perfect comfort food to throw in the oven at the end of a long day. Prep is minimal and it's nearly impossible to screw up. And because all you have to do is wrap the zucchini in tin foil and throw it in the oven for 20 minutes, you can save on time by taking a quick shower, checking email, etc while it cooks.

Zucchini: I was surprised when I saw how much of a nutritional powerhouse Zucchini is- It's a great source of Manganese, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Vitamin A, Fiber, Potassium, Copper, Folate, Phosphorus, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, a number of B Vitamins, Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Protein, Vitamin K... seriously the list goes on!


So, zucchini is a great source of a number of B Vitamins including Folate, B6, B1, B3 & B2. Question I'm sure you're asking- why are B Vitamins important? Quick break down: Folate (B9 aka Folic Acid) lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke & birth defects. It's also needed to make red blood cells and prevent anemia. B6 is necessary for proper function of neurotransmitters and, ladies, may reduce PMS. B3 can help increase energy and is necessary for DNA repair- that seems like a pretty important job.

So there you have it this recipe is easy to make, hard to mess up and super satisfying- I mean really, it sells itself :)

Zucchini Marinara:

1 Medium Zucchini (thinly sliced)
1-2 tbsp EVOO
1/4 c. Marinara Sauce
1 tbsp Crumbled Feta

Preheat the oven on bake to 400 F.

Place sliced zucchini on tin foil (enough to wrap). This does not need to be spaced out. Drizzle w/ EVOO and toss to coat. Season with Salt & Pepper if desired. Wrap tin foil so that it creates a pouch for the zucchini. Place in oven and let cook for 20-25 minutes. You can use your nose with this one, once you start to smell the zucchini that's when you know it's cooked!

Take out of oven and spread marinara sauce over the zucchini, sprinkle crumbled feta over top and place (don't need to re-wrap) back in the oven. Cook for another 5 minutes. Take out of the oven, throw on a plate and enjoy. Pair it with a glass of red wine for the ultimate end of day wind down.




http://www.fitsugar.com/10-Sources-Folate-2944377
http://www.wholeliving.com/article/the-benefits-of-b-vitamins

Awesome Korean Chicken with Cucumbers

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. It's a total crowd pleaser and the ingredients are super simple and light. I love making this for dinner then keeping extras on hand as an energizing lunch that pumps me up for the rest of the day.

Cucmbers: Cucumbers are packed with nutrients and vitamins including Vitamins C & A, Potassium, Folate, Manganese, Fiber & Magnesium. They help keep your skin looking radient. How so? Vitamin C & caffeic acid help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. On top of this, cucumbers contain silica which is a necessary component for healthy connective tissue.

More so, cucumbers are a natural diuretic. Point blank, that means they help you eliminate toxins through urination. I dont care if you think that's gross- free radicals and toxins are gross and are going to build up in your body no matter how healthy a lifestyle you lead. Your liver works hard to process and eliminate these, so help your body out and try the below recipe.


Korean Chicken with Cucumbers:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (I like thinly sliced)
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 tablespoons dark sesame oil
2 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
Cooking spray (for pan)
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
4 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

Whisk soy sauce and next five ingredients together in a bowl. Place the chicken inside a heavy duty plastic bag then pour half the soy mixture over, making sure to coat the chicken, and seal bag.

Refrigerate and let marinate for the next 30 mins (or longer for a bigger flavor punch). While chicken marinates cut cucumbers into thin slices and pour 1/2 the remaining marinade over these (You'll save the other half to pour over the chicken once it's cooked, if desired.)

After 30 mins, take chicken out and saute till desired degree of doneness. Place cooked chicken and cucumbers on a plate and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and enjoy!

Source: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=42

Fun Healthy Recipes is Back!

After a brief (okay, maybe a little extended) summer hiatus, Fun Healthy Recipes is back and ready to get you healthy, happy and fit just in time for the holidays!

Keep checking back over the next few weeks for awesome recipes that showcase delicious, nutrient-packed foods that will keep you satisfied and feeling your best.

Upcoming Recipes:

• Zucchini Marinara
• Cilantro Shrimp
• Asian Lettuce Cups
• Cream Cheese-Swirled Brownies
• Braised Kale with Tomatos
• Korean Chicken with Minted Cucumbers
• Roasted Peach with Amaretti Crumble
• Grilled Lime-Soy Tuna with Noodles