Whatever you’re excited about next weekend, chances are a big part of your celebration will be SNACKS. While classic game day snacks tend to lean towards the indulgent side, incorporating healthy and high-protein options into your menu can make your party a hit without sidelining your wellness goals.
Here are six healthy snack ideas that you can incorporate into your planning whether you are hosting or looking for something to take along with you to someone else’s party.
Give a healthy alternative to game day wings with Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. This veggie-forward alternative delivers all the spicy kick of traditional Buffalo wings but in a lighter package.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
If you’re in New York City and don’t want to cook for yourself, NYC Cooking Club has two great swaps for Buffalo wings! Check out our Buffalo Chicken Meatballs or Buffalo Chicken Salad, which are both available this week in Party Packs perfect for your serving needs. Order by Tuesday at noon for delivery on Friday and you’ll be ready to serve on Sunday!
A colorful Veggie Platter with creamy Hummus is a staple for those seeking healthy eating choices that don't compromise on taste. It’s an easy way to ensure your party spread includes a variety of nutrient-rich options, making it both eye-catching and good for your guests.
Making your own hummus is super easy! Just blend the following in a food processor until smooth:
For a satisfying, high-protein snack, Turkey and Avocado Roll-Ups are a go-to. They combine lean turkey with the healthy fat of avocado, offering a delicious and nutritious option that aligns with your goals.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Offering a homemade alternative to store-bought chips, Sweet Potato Chips served with a Greek Yogurt Dip can be a game-changer. This snack not only satisfies the crunch factor but also provides a healthier option.
Ingredients for Chips:
Ingredients for Dip:
Instructions:
Fruit Skewers with Honey-Yogurt Dip bring a sweet, refreshing element to your game day menu. They’re a testament to the simple joy of combining fresh fruits with a light, protein-rich dip, offering a guilt-free option for guests to enjoy.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Homemade Popcorn is a whole-grain, fiber-rich snack that’s incredibly versatile. Lightly seasoned with nutritional yeast and a dash of salt, it’s a healthy eating tip that’s both easy to make and universally loved, proving that simple ingredients can make for the most satisfying snacks.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Looking to enjoy the game without spending hours in the kitchen? If you’re in NYC, we can help! NYC Cooking Club has you covered with various appetizer-sized meatballs and our flavorful chicken salads and lightly sauced shredded chicken. Pair them with Hawaiian Rolls (also available on our site) for a perfect platter of sliders!
This is your chance to show that healthy snacks can be just as tasty and satisfying as their traditional counterparts. And by choosing high-protein, nutrient-rich options, you can provide a selection of foods that will keep your guests feeling great long after the game is over.
Want us to provide food that you can pass off as homemade? Just order by Tuesday at noon for delivery on Friday from 9-2 and you’ll be all set for kickoff on Sunday!
]]>Navigating the holiday season presents unique hurdles that can throw your wellness journey off track. Workplace cookie exchanges, holiday meals loaded with rich courses, and festive gatherings teeming with extravagant foods and cocktails can nudge us away from our healthy eating goals.
But it's not impossible to get through the holidays without throwing all your good intentions out the window! If you want to maintain a healthy diet without missing out on the holiday merrymaking, we're here to help.
The holidays are synonymous with indulgent recipes, sugary goodies, and a vibrant social agenda filled with parties and other social events. These become convenient excuses to sideline our healthy eating goals. Holiday affairs usually flaunt calorie-dense dishes and beverages, making it waaaay too easy to eat more than we usually do.
The challenge is figuring out how to relish these tantalizing treats while honoring our health and fitness aspirations. This dilemma can cause anxiety about potential weight gain, dampening the festive cheer. However, discovering the right balance can quell all that.
Charting Your Holiday Meal Plan
Crafting a meal plan is a great approach to maintain your healthy eating regimen amid the holidays. It means structuring your meals and snacks in advance, ensuring your wellness goals are always in sight. Kickstart this process by deciding the total meals and snacks you plan to eat each day, factoring in any social events you plan to be a part of.
Aim at reaching a well-rounded matrix of macronutrients — proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in your meals. Prioritize nutrient-rich, premium-quality food that keeps you satiated and energized. The higher the number of meals you manage when you can, the greater the leniency you can permit yourself in social settings.
Note, the intention is never to restrict yourself excessively but to establish a framework that facilitates measured indulgence. A meal plan also streamlines grocery shopping and safeguards against unplanned dietary slips.
Don't overlook beverages while devising your meal plan. Drinks, especially alcoholic ones, can swiftly scale up your calorie intake without significantly adding to your fullness. Choose water, herbal teas, or low-calorie beverages often to help limit your daily calorie consumption.
Meal planning can help you with your healthy eating all year -- read more about it here.
Choose Protein-Rich Foods
Focusing on high-protein foods in your holiday meal plan is a great way to fend off hunger and conserve muscle mass. As high-protein foods demand more digestion time, they keep you full longer, helping stave off snacking and overeating.
For your meals at home, zoom in on lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, or if you're plant-based, nutrient-dense superfoods like lentils, chickpeas, and quinoa.
A high-protein diet doesn't mean forgoing yummy food. Spice up your meals with an assortment of herbs and seasonings, and experiment with different cooking methods to maintain variety and zip.
While browsing a party buffet, hunt for healthier alternatives like dips prepared with Greek yogurt, nuts, and veggies.
When it’s your turn to play host or contribute to the dinner, here are some options that blend taste with nutrition:
Among the most straightforward ways to ensure nutritious options at a party is volunteering to bring a dish. This not only helps your host but also promises at least one menu item aligns with your diet goals.
Distance Yourself from the Food!As trivial as it sounds, choosing your spot at a party can powerfully influence your eating behavior. Choosing to socialize near the food enables unconscious munching even when you're not actually hungry. This mindless eating can result in more calories than you realize.
Instead, position yourself as far from the food as possible. This means you have to make a deliberate effort to fetch food and helps you focus on your friends and family instead of the snacks.
Hold on to a Glass of WaterKeeping a glass of water in hand during holiday parties serves several purposes in your attempt to focus on healthy eating:
Finding healthier substitutes for your holiday favorites can help you find balance -- and is a strategy that will serve you throughout the year. Concentrate on replacing calorie-rich, nutrient-sparse food with alternatives that are health-conscious, but still satisfying.
For instance, if mashed potatoes are your weakness, you don't have to slash them from your diet! Just think about subbing half the potatoes with cauliflower. This gives you the same creamy texture with fewer carbs and better nutrition. If dips are what you crave, look into alternatives made with Greek yogurt over sour cream.
For desserts, fruit-based choices can serve as perfect switches. Instead of a pie slice, try a baked apple spiced with cinnamon and a dollop of honey. Dark chocolate is a healthy indulgence for your sweet tooth, being sugar-sparse and antioxidant-rich.
Beverages can similarly be replaced with healthier versions. Replace sugary cocktails with spritzers made with sparkling water, a dash of your preferred spirit, and a slice of fresh fruit for a flavor burst.
These substitutions enable you to revel in your preferred bites and flavors without a deluge of calories, helping you enjoy the holiday season without straying too far from your nutritional aspirations.
Calorie counting can turn stressful, especially amid the holiday frenzy. An easier strategy is focusing on your macronutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. This lets you aim for balanced nutrient intake rather than fretting over calories, making the process feel strategic, flexible, and less stressful.
Proteins serve an important function. They extend the sensation of fullness, support muscle health, and aid weight regulation. Selecting lean protein sources brings these benefits without unnecessary calorie pile-ups.
Carbohydrates are our bodies' primary energy suppliers. Choose whole grains and fiber-rich fruits that can satiate hunger for extended periods.
Healthy fats, from foods like avocados, nuts, and olives, enhance overall health and enrich meals with a flavor burst, making your diet more enjoyable.
By shifting concentration from calories to macros, you can find balance and enjoy a wide spectrum of scrumptious foods while simultaneously supporting your wellness objectives.
Keeping a balance between indulging in holiday cheer and adhering to healthy eating goals can be intimidating. It's essential to go about this with self-compassion and empathy.
Periodic treats and splurges are absolutely fine. What's critical is mindful decision-making and ensuring these indulgences don't disrupt your long-term goals. The target is to strike a harmony that suits you.
Keep in mind that every step towards healthier eating habits, no matter how small, is a victory. Celebrate your achievements, learn from the struggles, and forge ahead.
Here's to a festive season filled with joy, balance, and holiday sparkle!
]]>Are you tired of the daily struggle trying to balance a busy schedule with the desire to eat healthily? You're not alone. The challenge of finding time to prepare nutritious meals amidst a jam-packed day is real, but you can do it! The key is meal prepping – and the first step in meal prepping is meal planning. Take a deep breath and dive in so you can start to lead a healthier lifestyle with less stress.
Staring at an empty weekly or monthly calendar can be overwhelming. Planning 21 meals at one time? Close to 100 for the month?! You’ll be over it before you even start. So give yourself a break and start small. Choose something specific and contained – maybe it’s planning your work lunches so you aren’t running out to grab something at the spur of the moment every day. Or focusing on your dinners so you don’t have to make decisions about what to eat after a long day that feels like it’s used up all your brain power. You can always work your way up to planning all your meals!
Before you start planning, take a look at your schedule. You don’t want to plan (and shop for!) dinners all week if you have events scheduled every other night. Plan around your schedule so you are prepared when you need to be, but not wasting food by preparing for meals you’ll never have a chance to eat.
Include a variety of proteins, veggies and carbs. This helps you keep things interesting as well as making sure you have all of your nutritional bases covered. If you're looking to make big changes, consider talking to a nutritionist or your doctor for guidance on what goals you should be keeping in mind and what foods will help you get there.
Once you've planned your meals, you can turn to cooking your meals. And this is where meal prepping comes into play. Setting aside some time to knock out a bunch of meals for the week, or components of meals that you can easily put together when you're ready to eat, will be a game changer.
When planning what you want to cook for the week, look for recipes that utilize different cooking methods. That way you can do them all at the same time for max efficiency! For example, if you have a slow cooker, an oven and a stovetop, think about doing a chili, an egg bake and a stir fry to help you get through the week.
One of the tricky things about meal prepping is it can get monotonous when you make big batches of a few things. When you make a slow cooker full of chili, you might get sick of chili by the end of the week! When you’re planning what to cook, pick at least one recipe that freezes well. Plan to make extra of that recipe to put in the freezer and help keep future weeks varied.
Understand that some weeks will be smoother than others, and it's okay to deviate from the plan sometimes. The key is a sustainable habit, not perfection. Get in the groove of planning your meals and you’ll develop your personalized strategy to make healthier eating fit seamlessly into your busy lifestyle. Start small, consider your schedule, and maximize efficiency. This is about making your life easier and your health better, one meal at a time.
]]>This Giving Tuesday, NYC Cooking Club is celebrating a significant milestone in our mission to combat hunger -- and also honoring the collective spirit of generosity that has fueled this journey. Since October 2021, we've donated 5,758 portions of food to community fridges across New York City, a feat made possible through the support of our 107 remarkable donors and every single person who orders from us (remember, for every 10 meals purchased by our customersevery week, we donate a meal).
Today, we set our sights on a new goal: reaching 6,000 meals donated, a testament to the power of community collaboration in tackling food insecurity.
At the heart of NYC Cooking Club's mission lies a sense of community. Our initiative to donate a meal for every 10 meals purchased complements the direct contributions of 107 dedicated donors. These individuals exemplify the spirit of giving, demonstrating that every act of kindness, no matter the size, contributes to a larger cause of fighting hunger in New York City.
As we approach our next target of 6,000 donated meals, we celebrate this shared victory with our donors and customers. Each meal donated is a symbol of hope and a step towards alleviating food insecurity. We know we're only making a small dent in this huge problem, but, we are proud of every bit that we can help.
Giving Tuesday is more than a day; it's a movement that emobodies the essence of generosity and mutual support. Here's how you can help:
❤️ **Direct Meal Donations**: Visit our donation page and be part of the change in NYC. Stretch your donation even further with a recurring donation -- today, use the discount code GIVINGTUESDAY for 20% off recurring donations. This brings the cost to you for each meal to $6.40.
❤️ **Amplify Our Message**: Use your social platforms to spread the word about our collective fight against hunger in New York City.
NYC Cooking Club remains steadfast in our commitment to fighting hunger. We're grateful for the support of our community and inspired by what we can achieve together. Every meal, every donation, and every share brings us closer to a city where hunger is no longer a daily struggle.
]]>Love to cook and have the time to do your own meal prepping? Look no further! We've curated a collection of the best kitchen tools and gadgets to help you get the job done (we use many of these ourselves in the NYC Cooking Club kitchen!).
Whether you're a seasoned meal prepper or just starting out, these tools will transform the way you cook, helping you save time, maintain a balanced diet, and enjoy homemade meals every day of the week. Let's make cooking simpler, faster, and more delightful and up your meal prep game!
From batch cooking to precise portioning, discover how these tools can transform your meal prep experience. Shop now and elevate your culinary efficiency!
*If you make a purchase through these links, it won't cost you anything extra, but we may earn a commission. And, let's be honest -- we're just gonna turn around and buy more kitchen stuff with it! 👩🏻🍳
🍲 Lodge Enameled Dutch Oven
A must-have for batch cooking, this Dutch oven is perfect for preparing large quantities of nutrient-rich soups and veggie-rich stews. Its even heat distribution ensures your healthy ingredients are cooked just right.
⚖️ Ozeri Pronto Digital Food Scale: Accurate Portion Control
Make accurate recipes and master portion control with this digital scale. Essential for calorie-conscious meal preppers, it ensures your portions align with your nutritional goals, making it a key tool in a health-focused kitchen.We have about six of these in the NYC Cooking Club kitchen! Another item that comes in multiple colors to brighten your counter.
🌪️ Ninja Food Chopper Express Chop (NJ110GR)
The Ninja Food Chopper is an essential tool for quickly preparing fresh ingredients. It's perfect for chopping vegetables, nuts, and herbs, crucial for adding flavor and nutrition to your meal prep recipes. Its efficiency aids in maintaining a health-focused diet by simplifying the preparation of nutrient-dense meals.
🍰 KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer: Bulk Mixing Made Easy
This stand mixer is a powerhouse for meal preppers who love to bake. It's ideal for mixing doughs and batters for healthy, homemade bread and treats.We love: did you know you can use the motor of your stand mixer to power all sorts of tools to help you with your meal prep? Check out these attachments to help you dice vegetables, shred cheese, and grind chicken. You can also use the dough hook to shred chicken!
🍲 Instant Pot Duo Plus: Effortless Meal Prepping
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is a versatile multi-cooker that simplifies the preparation of a variety of healthy meals. Whether it's for cooking grains, steaming vegetables, or making yogurt, this tool is invaluable for anyone dedicated to a balanced, health-focused meal prep routine.
The Vitamix Explorian blender is perfect for preparing smoothies, soups, and purées rich in nutrients. Its powerful blending capabilities ensure you get smooth, perfectly blended results every time, making it easier to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and proteins in your meal prep.
Blend in Bulk - Get Yours Here!
Thanksgiving is upon us and we know what's on your mind: should I stick to my healthy eating plan in spite of the holiday or do I throw it out the window and just enjoy myself?
Why not a little bit of both??
How can you enjoy this festive feast while sticking to your health and fitness goals? Fear not! We've got a plan to help you make smart, high-protein food choices that let you savor the flavors of Thanksgiving without feeling like you're derailing your diet.
Let's start with the star of the show: turkey. A Thanksgiving staple, turkey is an excellent source of lean protein. Opt for white meat like turkey breast, which is lower in calories and fat compared to darker cuts. And hey, why not throw in some grilled or baked fish or chicken as additional protein-rich options? These alternatives can add variety to your meal while keeping it nutritious.
Vegetables can be more than just sides. Roasted Brussels sprouts, steamed green beans, or a colorful salad can be both delicious and nutritious. Add a sprinkle of nuts or seeds for an extra protein punch. These dishes are not only high in protein but also rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
Carbohydrates often get a bad rap, but they're an important part of a balanced diet. Choose complex carbs like sweet potatoes, quinoa, or whole-grain rolls. These will provide sustained energy and keep you feeling full longer.
It's all about moderation. Enjoy your favorite dishes but in smaller portions. This way, you can taste everything without overindulging. Remember, it's okay to have a slice of pumpkin pie; just balance it with healthier choices throughout the meal.
Stay hydrated! Drinking water helps control hunger and aids digestion. Avoid sugary drinks and limit alcohol consumption, as they can add unnecessary calories and lead to overeating. (If this is one of the places you want to indulge, alternate your beverage of choice with water.)
Take your time to enjoy each bite. Mindful eating helps you appreciate the flavors and textures of your food and signals when you're full, preventing overeating.
Remember, it's a celebration! If you decide to indulge a bit more than planned, don't beat yourself up. One meal won't derail your fitness goals. Enjoy the day and get back on track with your next meal.
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and good food. By making smart, high-protein choices, you can enjoy the holiday without compromising your health and fitness goals. Remember, balance is key. Enjoy the feast and the company, and give yourself grace to savor this special day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
]]>Hi NYC Cooking Club friends! 🧑🍳
We've been meaning to launch a blog for awhile and just had an "a ha!" moment that it could be helpful to post all the updates we put in our latest email here on our site! Still figuring out what else we'll put here... recipes, meal prepping tips, kitchen gear suggestions... but, for now, here are some exciting updates! :) (Got ideas for blog posts? Email us here!)
🚛 Delivery Delight: Lowered Fees and Free Delivery Thresholds
Good news for your stomach and your wallet – we've slashed our delivery fee to a more wallet-friendly $9.99.
Plus, we've lowered the threshold for free delivery to $100! (Don’t forget, if you’re close to $100 and have enough food chosen for the week, you can always add a donation or two to hit that minimum!)
🐣 Early Bird Discount
You can also save money with our Early Bird discount! Order by Saturday night at midnight for the following week and get an automatic $10 off your order of $50+.
🌱Plant-Powered Goodness: Welcome JaziLupini Pasta! 🌱
We’ve been slowly switching the pasta in all our dishes to one pasta and we're jazzed to introduce JaziLupini Pasta: it's gluten-free, high-protein, and low-carb – made from magical lupini beans. Trust us: your taste buds and your goals will thank you!
Not only are we using the pasta in dishes like Chili Mac and Bolognese… we’ve developed a slate of pasta salads that enable us to offer more high-protein vegetarian options – we’ve got one on the menu every week!
We’ll also be selling the pasta on its own very soon so you can use it in your own home cooking.🍝
🍰 Moar Partners!
In addition to JaziLupini, we’ve expanding our Marketplace of local food companies and are excited to introduce you to Harlem Baking Company (delicious, indulgent, jarred desserts), Bake Me Healthy (vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and top 9 allergen free baking mixes) and Culiraw (guilt-free, diary-free vegan cheesecake). These great companies join The Soup Lady (on hiatus right now, but coming back soon!) and Eltee’s Goods Tommy Jams.
🌶 Spice Up Your Life: Underwood Ranches Sauces 🔥
This doesn’t quite fit with our local NYC Marketplace, but, we couldn’t resist. We’ve been having a helluva time finding Sriracha and Chili Garlic Sauce for some of our recipes — but we finally found some! And we want to help if you’ve been having trouble, too. While it's not the elusive Huy Fong, we've sourced the next best thing – Underwood Ranches sauces. They actually used to supply Huy Fong with their fiery red jalapenos and we think they’re the next best thing.
❤️As always, we're here to take meal prep off your plate and get you time back in your life along with delicious, high-protein food. If you have any questions, hit us up – we love hearing from you.
💌 Email preferences
Did you know we send out emails every week to let you know that the new menu is up for ordering and again on Monday to remind you in case ordering has slipped your mind? If you want to be added to either or both of those lists, sign up below!
]]>