A little bit healthier

Two recipes, no mandates

My fiancé started a Substack this week. So now when he sees me writing these he understands my creative pain. We do it for the art.

Now January as a recipe developer is weird! I love seeing everyone excited and elevated by their goals, but the shift from 8 million cookie recipes to I need a meal plan STAT is well…abrupt. And I don’t think it’s actual individuals asking for these resources, I think it’s years and years of compounding media trends that make us think January MUST be used for resetting.

And I love resets, fresh starts, and new ideas, don’t get me wrong. But as a girl whose relationship with food was saved by the idea of mandate-free-eating, I like to use this month to do what I always do: flavor-forward recipes + a lot of vegetables + and small options to be a little bit healthier.

So here are two healthier recipes for you to use this month, but know that they’ll be good for you all year long.

Japanese Sweet Potato Soup - Someone asked if this soup could be blended and I nearly cried. This plant-based, vegetable-filled soup is all about the texture! Japanese sweet potatoes (the purple kind with a white interior) melt into a miso coconut broth with edamame, bok choy and mushrooms. In terms of satisfying plant-based food, this meal is at the top of my list.

Healthier Salted Date Hot Chocolate - It’s just dates, cocoa powder, date chocolate, your milk of choice and salt. And somehow it’s even thicker and creamier than the traditional hot chocolates I’ve made?? Plus, don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like dates, they just add a thickness and sweetness. Proof that sweet treats exist and thrive in January!!

Now let me know your goals, your dreams, your hopes for 2025! I do love January because of that refreshed energy. And if you don’t really have anything on your resolutions list, don’t stress, a Pinterest mood board is also a great Saturday activity.

Okay it’s 27 degrees here so I’m off to freeze at the farmers’ market.

Ily very much,

Healthyish_Snacks