Healthy Eating On-the-Go

By Heather Jones

Life has a way of making days and weeks busy.  Whenever you think you’ll finally get some downtime, something else comes up that needs your attention.  Do you feel like your busy lifestyle has affected your cooking?  Maybe you’re feeling guilty because you haven’t been able to spend as much time in the kitchen.  Here are some kitchen recipes that will leave everyone’s stomachs happy and full, and their quick and easy nature won’t add to your stress load.

Tasty tacos with chicken meat and avocado, bell pepper, tomatoes. Top view

Crock-Pot Chicken

A family favorite that can be served on tacos, lettuce, or rice. Perfect to prep in the morning so that it is ready when you arrive home from work.

Ingredients:

  • 3 or 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 ½ cup of chicken broth
  • 1 jar of salsa
  • 1 fajita seasoning packet
  • (optional) frozen bell peppers and onions

Directions:

  1. Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the crock pot.
  2. Pour the entire jar of salsa on top of the chicken, pour 1 ½ cup of chicken broth over the chicken, and sprinkle the fajita seasoning evenly over all breasts.
  3. Add bell peppers and onions on top if desired. 
  4. Set the heat on low, and leave chicken to cook and marinate for 6 hours.  
  5. After the time has passed, shred the chicken with a fork and knife (chicken should be very tender so this process should take 1 minute) and serve as you please.

Spaghetti with Spaghetti Squash

This healthy alternative is simple and very tasty without all the carbs of pasta.

Ingredients:

  • 1 spaghetti squash
  • desired amount of frozen meatballs
  • marinara sauce
  • shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)

Directions:

  1. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and de-seed it.
  2. Use a knife and poke 3 small holes on the back sides of both halves.
  3. Turn squash back over to sauté with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper. 
  4. Set oven for 400 degrees, and place both squash halves inside for 30 minutes. 
  5. While the squash is cooking, use a skillet on the stovetop to cook your meatballs.  Sauté with olive oil and desired seasonings.
  6. Leave the meatballs on the stove until they are fully cooked. 
  7. Once the squash is out of the oven, use a fork to string the squash into spaghetti-like noodles. 
  8. Once placed in a bowl, add meatballs and sauce on top.
  9. For extra taste, add shredded mozzarella cheese.
Homemade Cooked Spaghetti Squash Pasta with Marinara Sauce