Happy New Year!

It’s one of my favorite times because it’s such a FRESH START! Waahoo.

I have 126 of my favorite meals listed below and boy oh boy was it HARD to choose. I probably could have listed over 200 meals easily, but I had to draw the line somewhere. These have a little bit of everything – some vegetarian, some chicken, beef, salmon, salads, soups – even pizzas. I know that everyone has a different idea of what “healthy eating” is, so feel free to change up some of these as needed. Use them as inspiration!

I’ve mentioned before that in our perfect weeks, planning and shopping for three full meals works great for us. This way, we don’t get sick of our “plan,” we always end up with leftovers but not too many leftovers, it allows for a night or two of eating out on the fly, whether it’s both of us or one of us for work, and usually will allow one night of breakfast for dinner, which we looooove.

I want to hear all of your meal planning and prep tips below! I’m going to be a planning fool these first few weeks of the year while I finish shooting my cookbook (which means double the food – oomph) and would love your secrets. My biggest tip is that meal prep can’t take longer than one hour on the weekends – or else I just won’t do it!

126 Lightened Up Meals for 2017. 18 weeks of Menu Planning! I howsweeteats.com

1. garlic brown sugar flank steak with chimichurri 

2. 30 minute thai chili salmon skewers

3. goat cheese whole roasted chicken

4. bang bang shrimp with napa cabbage slaw

5. 30 minute buffalo chicken soup

6. roasted red pepper quinoa burgers

7. potato wedges with squash and lentils

 

1. ginger garlic steak tacos with pineapple pico

2. spicy greens and parmesan white bean stew

3. butternut squash galette

4. chipotle lime whole roast chicken

5. pan crisp salmon with light dijon cream

6. whole what roasted red pepper pizza

7. BBQ quinoa salad

 

1. 20 minute cajun salmon with salted lime butter

2. springtime cobb salad

3. spicy lime chicken enchiladas

4. butternut squash lettuce wraps

5. white chicken quinoa chili 

6. jerk shrimp tacos

7. black bean stuffed sweet potatoes with arugula + poached eggs

126 Lightened Up Meals for 2017. 18 weeks of Menu Planning! I howsweeteats.com

1. crunchy taco kale salad

2. smoky gruyere butternut squash soup with chickpeas

3. 30 minute portobello fried brown rice

4. chipotle lime shrimp tacos

5. honey chipotle chicken bowls

6. 30 minute shallot, spinach and goat cheese pasta

7. shaved asparagus + whipped ricotta whole wheat pizza

 

1. smoky sweet potato + black bean tacos

2. roasted chicken ramen

3. toasted sesame ginger salmon

4. sweet potato cream pasta with crispy kale

5. roasted grape + goat cheese stuffed sweet potatoes

6. braised short rib beef stew

7. BBQ chicken chopped salad

 

1. BBQ salmon burgers

2. chili cheese polenta bowls

3. oven crisped cheddar chicken fingers

4. minestrone pot pie with whole wheat biscuits

5. 30 minute greek chicken lettuce wraps

6. broiled fontina toasts with poached eggs

7. thai crunch chicken salad

126 Lightened Up Meals for 2017. 18 weeks of Menu Planning! I howsweeteats.com

1. mushroom melts with mustard aioli 

2. honey ginger chicken tostadas

3. caramelized leek soup

4. beer glazed citrus chicken

5. spinach artichoke linguine

6. warm brussels caesar salad

7. pulled pork tacos with chili slaw

 

1. roasted jalapeño cheddar turkey burgers

2. sweet potato quinoa cakes

3. coconut baked shrimp with pineapple peach salsa

4. hawaiian chicken fajitas

5. thai butternut squash soup

6. skillet chicken with peppers + peanuts

7. caramelized peach caprese salad

 

1. smoky sweet potato burgers

2. cauliflower crust pizza

3. 30 minutes white bean chicken soup

4. baked falafel with spicy feta dip

5. lightened up beef enchiladas

6. zoodles with cherry tomato sauce

7. stuffed poblano peppers

126 Lightened Up Meals for 2017. 18 weeks of Menu Planning! I howsweeteats.com

1. butternut squash enchiladas

2. creamy cauliflower soup

3. roasted chipotle chicken taco stacks

4. crab cake sliders with pineapple kiwi salsa

5. lemon chicken risotto

6. crockpot pulled pork chili 

7. thai curry pomegranate chicken

 

1. pistachio pesto chicken

2. BBQ salmon crispy chickpea salad

3. easy double bean burgers

4. pizza supreme on cauliflower crust

5. white bean + chicken enchilada stuffed peppers

6. balsamic brussels sprouts grilled cheese

7. crockpot smoky brisket tacos

 

1. brussels sprouts breakfast hash

2. grilled blueberry BBQ salmon 

3. thai chicken quinoa bowls

4. roasted corn caesar salads with yogurt dressing

5. buffalo style quinoa sliders

6. simple summer chickpea salad

7. mini chicken meatball soup

126 Lightened Up Meals for 2017. 18 weeks of Menu Planning! I howsweeteats.com

1. salmon with thai curry peanut sauce

2. rosemary chicken, bacon and avocado salad

3. summer grain bowls

4. BBQ shrimp and lime avocado toast

5. late summer corn tortilla soup

6. burrata pesto whole wheat pasta

7. kale caesar salad on parmesan pizza crust

 

1. toasted sesame quinoa with chicken

2. spicy parmesan shrimp skillet

3. chicken pot pie soup

4. crispy kale grilled cheese

5. marinated flank steak with caprese salsa

6. pineapple cashew fried rice

7. asian turkey burgers with spicy lime mayo

 

1. ahi poke bowls with pineapple and avocado

2. mushroom chicken noodle soup

3. gruyere, fig jam and arugula breakfast sandwiches

4. grain bowls with maple chipotle sweet potatoes

5. brussels sprouts tacos with caramelized shallot salsa

6. chipotle lime chicken skewers with avocado ranch

7. butternut squash skillet lasagna

126 Lightened Up Meals for 2017. 18 weeks of Menu Planning! I howsweeteats.com

1. marinated chickpea panzanella

2. thai coconut curry shrimp noodle bowls

3. grilled chicken artichoke skewers

4. farfalle with marinated feta and arugula

5. chipotle kale and mushroom tacos

6. honey dijon skillet chicken

7. zoodles with chicken feta meatballs

 

1. triple berry kale salad

2. spinach red pepper bacon wrapped eggs

3. crockpot mini turkey meatballs

4. asiago portobello burgers

5. crispy shrimp mango spring rolls

6. 20 minute turkey taco nachos

7. thai chicken enchiladas

 

1. smoky white bean chicken chili 

2. chili garlic beef stir fry with coconut rice

3. crunchy chicken spring rolls with blood orange sauce

4. cashew chicken chopped salad

5. cheesy double bean quesadillas with avocado ranch

6. shrimp burgers with chipotle cream

7. stuffed peppers with tomato basil cream sauce

126 Lightened Up Meals for 2017. 18 weeks of Menu Planning! I howsweeteats.com