So you ditched that package of high-carb noodles from your pantry, now learn to love nature’s healthy noodles: spaghetti squash. If you haven’t yet tried spaghetti squash, then you’re in for a real treat. A pile of tender spaghetti squash strands piled high with protein and veggie meatballs makes the perfect fitness meal.

What you need
Serves 12

• 2 pounds lean, organic, grass-fed ground beef
• 1 pound lean, sweet turkey sausage
• 4 celery stalks, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 omega-3, eggs
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 2 Tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• dash of salt and pepper
• Optional: a handful of olives

For the Sauce:

• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato paste
• splash of white wine
• 2 cups fresh basil, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• dash of salt and pepper

For the Noodles:

• 1 spaghetti squash

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Wash spaghetti squash and poke all over with a knife. Place directly on the middle oven rack and bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Once cooled, slice in half and remove the seeds. Scoop the spaghetti squash strands out with a large spoon, set aside in a bowl.
2. Throw all of the meatball ingredients into a large bowl and mix with your hands. Form into large, golf ball-sized meatballs.
3. Combine all of the sauce ingredients into a medium bowl and mix well.
4. Cook with Crockpot: Place the meatballs in your slow cooker. Cover with the sauce and cook on low for 6-8 hours. OR Cook with stovetop: Place meatballs in a large pot. Cover with sauce and cook, covered, over low heat for 2-3 hours.
5. Place a scoop of spaghetti squash noodles on each plate, top with meatballs and some sauce and then throw on a few olives.

Nutrition
266 calories, 12g fat, 426mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, and 26g protein

Slow cooker meals are a fantastic method for enjoying lean, homemade dinners without the hassle and time commitment that many recipes entail. By simply throwing the ingredients below into your slow cooker in the morning before you leave for work, you’ll have a hot, delicious meal ready for you when you return home!

The combination of soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and dried basil lend phenomenal flavor to tender chicken thigh in this too-easy-to-believe chicken dinner recipe. Serve with a salad made with dark greens and over a bed of cauliflower rice. Enjoy!

What you need

Serves 8

• 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• sea salt
• black pepper
• ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• *optional sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Generously salt and pepper the chicken thighs. Place in the bottom of a slow cooker.

2. Combine the soy sauce, ketchup, honey, garlic, and dried basil. Pour over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Garnish with sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Nutrition

One serving equals 371 calories, 12g fat, 314mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, and 50g protein