A Scrumptious Healthy Pesto Recipe

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtetGnsF3MQ48hzWCrG6R5RUb8m7p-CUoPgfRjls4DX27M75JAYh1iX8bNGkcHzSL10vYtncQEX4gpMzOlvbysTnUFwvN5omLPLUk6ukGvmRpksdjrJBo7Dtej5GRp95-DfMqNtYeHPDjZ/s1600/pesto.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Healthy pesto pasta with a scooping utensil." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtetGnsF3MQ48hzWCrG6R5RUb8m7p-CUoPgfRjls4DX27M75JAYh1iX8bNGkcHzSL10vYtncQEX4gpMzOlvbysTnUFwvN5omLPLUk6ukGvmRpksdjrJBo7Dtej5GRp95-DfMqNtYeHPDjZ/s1600/pesto.png" title="A Scrumptious Healthy Pesto Recipe" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who doesn’t love some healthy pesto pizazz in their life? Healthy pesto meals are the perfect way to transition into summer. Besides that it is super scrumptious, pesto is easy to make! You can make a big batch and then freeze the extras for another meal or two. </span></span></div> <b id="docs-internal-guid-16cc5405-b90b-cbfd-cf11-5dbc54e7bfab" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Healthy Pesto</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups packed fresh basil leaves</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts or cashews or almonds (so many options!)</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">¼ cup grated parmesan cheese</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 garlic cloves</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">½ teaspoon salt</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">½ teaspoon ground pepper</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put all the dry ingredients in a food processor, and then pulse a few times. Add the oil and then process until the pesto is smooth, or to the consistency you desire. Taste it just to make sure, you can add extra of any of the ingredients to make it taste just right.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, what do you eat healthy pesto with? I think the better question is what </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">don’t </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you eat pesto with. ;)</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are my favorite ways to enjoy healthy pesto:</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sandwiches</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Healthy pesto is a healthy alternative to mayo. Just spread the pesto on the bread or wrap, and add all your favorite sandwich ingredients. Try a whole wheat wrap with pesto, turkey, spinach leaves, and tomato for a really tasty lunch!</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Pastas</b></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of a heavy white sauce, use pesto with your pasta. Healthy pesto tastes delicious when paired with </span><a href="http://www.afitnurse.com/2014/12/pasta-alternatives-for-delicious.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pasta alternatives</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, too. Pair the pesto pasta with a </span><a href="http://www.afitnurse.com/2014/08/red-cabbage-blueberry-and-chickpea.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">red cabbage, blueberry, and chickpea salad with tahini maple dressing</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for the patio.  </span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Chicken</b></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brush the healthy pesto over raw chicken breasts, and then bake the chicken as usual. Sprinkle some fresh parmesan cheese over the pesto chicken breasts for the last 3 minutes of baking. This is a great dish to serve with grilled veggies and a glass of white wine, or grape juice for the kids.</span></span></div> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b> <br /> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Pizza</b></span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can make low-calorie pesto pizzas pretty easily. Grab some mini whole wheat tortillas and spread pesto on them. Put some fresh slices of tomato and grated parmesan cheese over the pesto and bake until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. Kids love helping out with these pizzas, so it’s a great family activity.</span></span></div> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are your favorite ways to incorporate healthy pesto into your meals? I’d love to hear them! Write a comment below, or post to </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Afitnurse" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my Facebook page</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with your ideas!  </span></span>

chicken, fitness, health, healthy dinner, healthy pesto, healthy recipe, nutrition, pasta, pesto recipe, pizza, recipe, Summer

A Scrumptious Healthy Pesto Recipe

Who doesn’t love some healthy pesto pizazz in their life? Healthy pesto meals are the perfect way to transition into summer. Besides th...

Pasta Alternatives For Delicious Dinners That Will Wow Your Family

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgPXME0m1tONCCZpA6pim5iZOZA_wLP4KbckM8lM4-LHaoyFjPhL62SOQJea0Z4z6KIHLVlt-83I7R_Pgtrxf_jUcEebwxLXVRkdCYYNeG9o0ABFpRt3y38XhiE60POGHlc-CBFe1yyDQ/s1600/pasta.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spaghetti squash is one of many pasta alternatives. " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgPXME0m1tONCCZpA6pim5iZOZA_wLP4KbckM8lM4-LHaoyFjPhL62SOQJea0Z4z6KIHLVlt-83I7R_Pgtrxf_jUcEebwxLXVRkdCYYNeG9o0ABFpRt3y38XhiE60POGHlc-CBFe1yyDQ/s1600/pasta.png" title="pasta alternatives" /></a></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 8pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">Whether you are gluten-free or just looking for a healthier or low calorie option, these pasta alternatives hit the spot with taste and nutrition! Now that I crave nutrition with each meal, I’ve substituted processed noodles with these delicious pasta alternatives. </span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 8pt;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kelp Noodles. This delightful pasta alternative is made from kelp, a brown seaweed that is known for it’s iodine content. This is great for a gluten-free diet that can sometimes result in iodine deficiencies. Kelp noodles are low calorie and have a crunchy texture so they are great for stir fries, soups, salads and vegetable dishes. They are flavorless so they will pick up whatever flavors you add to them; choose your favorite sauces and be sure to stir so the flavors can soak in.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spaghetti Squash. The flesh of the winter squash separates into strands once it has been cooked, so it is a great nutritional pasta alternative. I love the spaghetti squash because it is super nutritious and tastes amazing with pesto or with topped with melted cheese. Plus, it has all those vitamins and minerals our bodies crave.</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 8pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">Soba Noodles. These noodles are made of buckwheat flour and are probably the closest thing to spaghetti noodles without actually being spaghetti noodles. They are a really good source of manganese; other than that they don’t offer too much nutrition-wise, but they are a great gluten-free option. This pasta alternative is served in a variety of hot and cold dishes. Try one for your next meal!</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 8pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">Shirataki Noodles. These noodles come from the root of a plant that is high in fiber so they are extra filling! They are packaged ready to eat and are best to eat with cheesy, creamy dishes or my personal favorite, fried with herbs and veggies.</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 8pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">Zucchini Noodles. I love to make noodles out of zucchini because they have the great flavor and nutrition of the vegetable and they are awesome cold or hot. These noodles are super delicious with pesto or any other typical spaghetti or white sauce.</span></span></div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;">Pasta alternatives are a great way to spice up a meal without adding unhealthy preservatives. Just add your favorite sauce, veggies and protein. The possibilities are endless! </span></span></div>

foods, healthiest meal of the day, healthy choices, nutrition, pasta, pasta alternatives, Soba Noodles. Healthy Foods, spaghetti squash

Pasta Alternatives For Delicious Dinners That Will Wow Your Family

Whether you are gluten-free or just looking for a healthier or low calorie option, these pasta alternatives hit the spot with taste and n...