You want to eat healthy, right? But sometimes your mind tells you this: It’s too hard; it’ll taste like cardboard (though, actually, cardboard might taste better); it’ll cost you your first-born; and it’ll take mad kitchen skills along with hours in the kitchen to create.

Let me answer that, ‘kay?

It’s too hard: Short answer – nope, it just doesn’t have to be if you don’t want it to be. It isn’t any harder than anything else you cook. Easy healthy is possible as well as complicated healthy. Just like any other recipe, you choose.

It’ll taste like cardboard: Can you see this one coming? 🙂 Nope! I’m sure there are healthy dishes that do taste more like cardboard, but not the ones I eat! And there may be a tastebud learning curve. All you have to do is allow that to happen more naturally. Move towards healthier; don’t make the leap in one giant move.

It’ll cost you your firstborn: Again, not if you don’t want it to! I still have my firstborn (well, not have exactly, you know, as he is all growed up and married and stuff!).  Yes, organic choices, some healthier breads, etc. may cost a bit more. Still, you can choose where you want your food dollars to go, and where you need to save. Plus, never, ever forget that a few extra bucks spent toward quality food are going to bring you a huge return in better health plus save you when you don’t need as much medical care. That stuff is expensive!

You’ll need mad kitchen skills along with hours of slaving away in the kitchen: You know what? I think a lot of healthier dishes actually take less time! And are simpler and easier to create.

Don’t believe me on any of the above? That’s cool, but, please, for your own sake, go attempt to prove me right. Just start trying out some new recipes. Make a few swaps toward the healthier end. Stay open-minded. Keep trying. The prize goes to those who keep walking the wellness pathways.

To start you out, here’s one of my favorite healthy dishes (credit to Better Homes and Gardens). It’s simple, fast, inexpensive, filling and tastes amazing! I use it as a main dish and couldn’t be more satisfied when I’m done eating. Leftovers keep well (other than the avocado; use a fresh one), too.

Greek Quinoa and Avocado Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup water
• 2 roma tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded fresh spinach
• 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion (1 small)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Spinach leaves
• 2 ripe avocados, halved, seeded, peeled, and sliced
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese