Happy 2025, everyone! While I’m no fan of rolling into a new year on a diet, I do think that a mega-healthy (and delicious) meal plan is where I want to be right now. Below you’ll find a plant-rich line up of nourishing recipes to kick off the year feeling good. You’ll find the shopping list at the bottom of the page.
Instant Pot Italian White Bean Soup
This Instant Pot soup has been a consistent hit on the blog. For a vegetarian version, simply leave out the sausage or swap in a cup or two of cooked grains or pasta once the soup is done.
Reset Button Salad with Carrot Miso Dressing
I consider this the ultimate “reset” salad, perfect for when you’re looking for a break from heavy meals. It’s packed with colorful vegetables and served with a tangy, delicious miso dressing. You can consider adding a bit more protein, such as hard boiled eggs, cooked chicken, or baked/braised tofu.
Cauliflower Tostadas with Chipotle Sauce
Though not exactly traditional tostadas, these are definitely crave-worthy. The dish is on the lighter side, so add a side of homemade or canned pinto or black beans embellished with a spoonful of salsa.
Cajun Fish with Lemon Caper Sauce
The best way I know to dress up a mild white fish is with a favorite spice blend, lemon, with a creamy dressing on the side. This recipe has all three. It cooks up in a matter of minutes and is perfect paired with a butter lettuce salad (maybe with sliced tangerines or orange tossed in) and this dressing. Lightly buttered whole grains, such as brown rice or farro, or little roasted potatoes would round out the meal.
Basil and Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Chicken
The dish serves four, but the portion is on the smaller side, so if you have hearty appetites, you might want to scale up (worst case you have leftovers, which are great the next day for lunch). Another tip? Double the pesto recipe and freeze the extra for next time. And no judgement if you buy pesto at the market to save time. Vegetarians can add one 15-ounce can of white beans and a squeeze of lemon juice in place of the chicken.
Blueberry Superfood Smoothie
This purple powerhouse is so lip-smackingly tasty, you’d never guess it’s packed with super foods: blueberries, chia seeds, coconut water, kefir, and the list goes on! If you want my everyday formula for a terrific smoothie with whatever you have on hand, head here for a video I just posted on Instagram.
Easy Cottage Cheese Dip
This is perfect to set out before dinner with crunchy vegetable or enjoy as a snack. It’s nourishing and comforting. I also eat this for lunch on the regular with veggies and whole-grain crackers or pretzel thins.
SHOPPING LIST
Reset Button Salad/Carrot Miso Dressing
- ¼ cup canola or avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons white miso
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 inch long piece fresh ginger
- 1 bunch kale
- 3 cup chopped hearts of romaine lettuce
- 2 medium carrots
- 4 radishes
- ⅓ english cucumber
- 1 red pepper
- 1 small ripe avocado
- ⅓ cup roughly chopped Tamari almonds
- 6 ounces baked teriyaki tofu or 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
Cauliflower Tostadas
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 8 six-inch corn tortillas
- ½ heaping cup plain yogurt
- 1 small chipotle pepper en adobo (sold in cans in the Mexican food section of the market)
- 2 large ripe avocados
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Pickled onions or pickled jalapeños
- 1 ½ cups finely shredded red or green cabbage
Instant Pot Italian White Bean Soup
- 1 ½ cups dried cannellini beans
- 1 small chunk Parmesan cheese (it should have the rind and be at least a couple of ounces)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion
- 2 large carrots
- 1 rib celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with the liquid
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 links pre-cooked Italian sausage (optional if you want a vegetarian/vegan soup)
- 1 large bunch kale
Cajun Fish with Lemon Caper Sauce
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives
- 1 large lemon
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free flour if desired)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun spice mix
- 1 1/2 pounds thin, skinless white fish fillets, such as petrale sole, flounder, fluke, perch, or tilapia
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Basil Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Chicken
- 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces uncooked fusilli or rotini
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cups basil leaves
- 1/4 cup shelled dry-roasted pistachios
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ounce grated fresh Parmesan cheese (about ¼ cup)
Easy Cottage Cheese Dip
- One 16-ounce container low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I use light Best Foods)
- 3 tablespoons parsley
- ¼ cup red onion
Superfood Blueberry Smoothie
- 1 cup plain kefir or plain yogurt
- ¾ cup coconut water, plus more if needed
- 1 frozen banana, cut into thick slices
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 small ripe avocado
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 to 3 teaspoons hemp or chia seeds (option
Comments