5 Women Share the Recipe That Helped Them Finally Lose Weight
Starting a new healthy eating plan can be daunting-especially when you're on the hunt for recipes that are nutritious, simple to make and actually tasty. But once you do find those magical meals, things get a whole lot easier.
And that's exactly what happened with the participants in our fourth annual Woman's Day Live Longer & Stronger Challenge. The five woman all discovered recipes-with help from Joy Bauer, RDN, and her team of nutrition professionals-that seamlessly fit into their lives, and made them realize that they might enjoy eating healthy for the long haul.
"It's key to have four or five go-to recipes, and to keep the ingredients for these dishes on hand so you're always prepared no matter what life throws at you- everyone can relate to daily chaos!" says Bauer. "And remember, they don't have to be gourmet meals-in many cases, all it takes is 10 to 15 minutes and a few simple ingredients to whip up a healthy and delish dinner."
Read on to see what recipe had the single biggest impact for each of the women-they've all lost at least 25 pounds and improved their heart-health. Who knows-maybe one of these recipes might become your new favorite, too.
Jacqueline Gilmore-Jackson, 47 | Wilmington, North Carolina
The Recipe: Baked Salmon and Sautéed Spinach from Joy Bauer
Why it works for me: "I've always enjoyed salmon, but I used to pair it with a starchy side. The sautéed spinach was a great change from rice and potatoes; it's low in calories, so I get to enjoy larger portions without the extra calories. Sometimes I switch it up and add mushrooms, onions, and green peppers to the sautéed spinach. It's very flavorful, and I eat it at least three times a week."
The family feedback: "I've prepared the Baked Salmon and Sautéed Spinach for my son, and he enjoys it as well. It makes me feel good preparing healthier meals for us. Plus, the meal makes us feel satisfied, and not stuffed."
*Jacqueline has lost 45 pounds so far, and has worked up to taking 15,000 steps a day (and sometimes more on the weekends!).
Amber Duncan, 37 | Gladstone, Oregon
The Recipe: Frozen Hot Chocolate from Joy Bauer
Why it works for me: "This recipe was a game changer because I am a huge chocoholic. I knew that if I was going to be successful on this plan, I was going to have to find a way to incorporate occasional chocolate treats without throwing my calories completely out of whack. I also knew that I wanted to find a way to indulge with my family so that we could all be enjoying the same thing. This recipe helped because I could relish a dessert right along with them."
The family feedback: "My family said it was delicious! My kids seemed to enjoy it as much or more than a milkshake. Since it is so fast to make and requires so few ingredients-just chocolate syrup, fat free evaporated milk, vanilla extract and ice-it's easy to prepare for any last minute celebrations."
*Amber has lost 35 pounds so far, and improved her marathon time by 26 minutes since starting the challenge.
Maryellen Farmer, 56 | Ocean Springs, Mississippi
The Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas from Joy Bauer
Why it works for me: "The recipe is super easy and so full of flavor. I put the chicken in the slow cooker before work, and it's ready as soon as I got home. All the seasonings make the taste pop in your mouth!"
The family feedback: "We all love Mexican food, but calories are usually high for the dishes I used to enjoy, so finding this recipe was really a wonderful addition to my weight-loss arsenal. My son and husband love it as well, so it's a real winner all around."
*Maryellen has lost 25 pounds so far; she's been taking control of her health after her heart attack in 2013.
Vanitta Bumpers, 46 | Crestview, Florida
The Recipe: Baked Tilapia and Sautéed Spinach from Joy Bauer
Why it works for me: "My favorite recipe is the baked salmon with spinach, however, the recipe gives you the option of substituting cod, halibut, or tilapia, and I prefer to use tilapia. This recipe helps me stick to my diet because it's really delicious and very healthy-and the entire meal is 317 calories. I also choose a combination of salt-free seasonings for the recipe, including garlic powder, onion powder, and any salt-free blends of Mrs. Dash and McCormick Perfect Pinch."
The family feedback: "I've made the tilapia for my family a few times and they loved it! They were surprised at how flavorful it tasted without using salt. I typically eat this recipe for dinner throughout the week as well as on weekends."
*Vanitta has lost 40 pounds so far; she loves getting her steps in every day-and making healthy appetizers to serve at parties.
Melanie McShane, 45 | Arcadia, California
The Recipe: Turkey Sausage with Sautéed Peppers and Onions from Joy Bauer
Why it works for me: "One of the very first questions that I asked when we started the Live Longer and Stronger Challenge was, 'How do I stay on a diet and not think about food all the time?' I have done other plans, and the entire time I was on the plan, I felt like my whole life was being lived simply to count points. Or, other plans provided set meals, so my husband and son had to make their own food-or buy it from a restaurant. It placed all my attention on food. So, long story short, I love that I can make food that is easy to prepare, tastes good, and my whole family can eat it. By having a handful of easy recipes, including this turkey sausage with peppers and onions, that are quick and healthy, I don't have to obsess about food."
The family feedback: "My son is 9, so he is at that stage where he is still a little bit picky. It seems that he doesn't like complicated foods-so this recipe is perfect for us. And because it's easy, he actually has fun cooking with me."
*Melanie has lost 30 pounds so far, and has been able to reduce her blood pressure medication.
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