Sharing a quick, easy and super delicious ceviche recipe where you actually cook the shrimp but preserve the perfect texture. This recipe is ideal for an spring or summer BBQs or dinner parties!

Hi friends! How are you? I hope your week is off to an amazing start. I’m still working on my Disney cruise recap post – should be up Wednesday! – but for today, I wanted to share a DELICIOUS healthy appetizer recipe: ceviche!!

Ceviche is a classic and especially good during the summer. It wasn’t something I make often at home, but my friend Kathryn brought it over last summer and we all devoured it. It was fresh, beautifully flavored, and so so delicious. When we had family dinner last night, I knew it would make a perfect appetizer.

Here’s the deal, though: “cooking” the shrimp in lime juice freaks me out. I know it’s the common method for making ceviche, but I know too much about parasites lol.

Yes, the acid from the limes can turn the color of the shrimp opaque so that they appear to be cooked. It kills a little bit of the bacteria, but not all of it. (You can download my free parasite cleansing guide here!) I don’t eat a ton of raw fish anymore, and while I definitely wanted ceviche, I wanted HEAT to kill the bacteria so I could stuff my face and not worry about any creepy crawlers.

So I did what any girl would do: called my brother the chef and asked him if I could saute the shrimp first.

He legit laughed at me and informed me that it would be a rubbery disaster.

“Blanch it. Just for like a minute and then put it in an ice bath.”

“Ok, so just put it in boiling water for a minute?”

“Yes but add stuff to it so it actually tastes good. Make a blanching liquid with peppercorns, lots of salt, flavor it up.”

So that’s what I did! It turned out AMAZING and I’m pumped to share the recipe with you!!

The best ceviche recipe (with cooked shrimp!)

Ingredients:

Blanching liquid: water, salt, peppercorns

Raw deveined shrimp (I get ours from ButcherBox)

3 large avocadoes

The juice of 6-8 limes (about 1 cup of lime juice)

1 1/2 large English cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced

1 red onion, diced

3 large tomatoes, seeded and diced

2 jalapeño, seeded and diced

1 buch of cilantro, diced

Garlic powder, salt, pepper, sriracha, and Worcestershire sauce (the secret ingredient!!!)

Worth mentioning here that I chopped almost everything with this contraption and also cut the heck out of two of my fingers. It says, “don’t touch the blades” and this means even while you’re washing it, even if they don’t *seem* sharp. Don’t do it.

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Sharing a roundup of high volume low calorie recipes if your goal is to increase your fiber but not your total caloric intake. 

Hi friends! How are you?? I hope that you’re having an amazing week! We’re here in Spain living.the.life. I’m excited to share some of the fun in Friday Faves and I’m posting a ton on IG if you’d like to follow along.

Today, I wanted to chat a little about volume eating and share some of my favorite recipes that are high in volume and flavor, but still light and refreshing.

Ever finish a meal and feel like you barely ate? You’re not alone. When you’re trying to eat a little lighter, hunger can sneak up fast, and it’s not fun. That’s why I love high volume, low calorie recipes. You can eat generous portions that leave you feeling full and happy, without overdoing it on calories and feeling like you need a nap afterwards. Whether you’re working toward a health goal, trying to keep your calorie intake in check, or just want to eat more fruits and vegetables, these meals check all the boxes.

All of these meal ideas are loaded with whole, nourishing ingredients like lean proteins, fiber-rich veggies, and satisfying textures. Many are gluten free, simple to prep, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

What Makes a Meal High Volume?

Let’s chat about what makes a meal “high volume.” These types of meals usually include foods that are high in water or fiber, like leafy greens, berries, or green beans, and are lower in calories. That combo helps you eat more food (volume!) without racking up the calories.

What Are High Volume Low Calorie Foods?

High volume low calorie foods are filling, satisfying, and easy to love. Think big salads, soups, hearty veggie stir-fries, and meals that are piled high with lean protein and colorful produce.

These types of meals support healthy weight loss by keeping you full and reducing the need to snack all day. Plus, they’re a great way to get more nutrient dense foods into your diet.

Low Calorie High Volume Recipes

Egg Roll in a Bowl

This one-pan favorite is a lighter twist on a takeout classic. It’s packed with ground turkey or pork, cabbage, carrots, and a dash of garlic and ginger.

Calories per serving: ~250-300

Main ingredients: ground turkey, cabbage, carrots, garlic, coconut aminos

Gluten free and great for meal prep!

 Try this version from Skinnytaste

Sushi Roll in a Bowl

A deconstructed version of sushi that’s quick, fresh, and totally customizable. Use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Calories per serving: ~350

Main ingredients: rice or cauliflower rice, cucumber, avocado, nori, shrimp or crab, coconut aminos

Sharing my favorite daily detox vegetable soup recipe. 

Hi friends! How are ya? Hope you’re having a lovely morning so far. The Pilot is off work today (!) so I’m looking forward to a morning hike and breakfast and coffee date. (You know, if both kids go to school. I feel like any time one of us books the day off, a kid stays home sick lol.)

While Tucson is still warm and toasty, it’s official soup season. TBH, for me, all year is super season. It can be a blistering 115 outside, and I’m still inside eating a scalding bowl of soup. I LOVE soup, especially for lunches, because you can make a ton in advane and pack in a ton of nutrients. You can customize them depending on what you have on hand, add extra protein (like an egg on top, or shredded beef or chicken), and it’s one of my 3 s’s: a salad, soup, or smoothie every day.

Detox vegetable soup recipe

I’m also a fan of making *detox soups.* I call it this because they’re light and easy to digest, but they also fit in with my favorite Dr. Cabral detox requirements. Soups are my EquiLife detox go-tos, for the reasons I mentioned above. I also call it that for The Man aka Google, so if you searched for “detox soup recipes” and found this page, YAY and welcome the blog 😉

This particular recipe is super simple, made in the Instant Pot, and ideal for meal prep or a cozy, nutrient-dense lunch or dinner.

Benefits of Detox Vegetable Soup

Packed with Nutrients:

Sweet potatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers provide vitamins A, C, and antioxidants to support your immune system.

Rich in Fiber:

Beans like garbanzo and kidney beans promote digestive health and can help with detoxification by improving gut function.

Hydration:

Veggie broth is hydrating, which is essential for detox functions.

Supports Weight Loss:

Soups can be lower in calories, but also satisfying, which can improve satiety and reduce cravings.

Anti-inflammatory:

Herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano have anti-inflammatory properties and also make it taste delicious.

Meal Prep Tips

Batch Cooking:

This soup freezes well! Make a large batch and store portions in the freezer for quick meals during the week. (I love these Souper Cubes!)

Topping Ideas:

Prep your toppings (avocado, herbs, and lemon juice) in advance and store them separately for easy assembly when serving.

Versatility:

Swap out beans for your preferred legumes, or use other veggies like spinach or green beans,  depending on what you have on hand.

Sharing some lazy Sunday dinner ideas that you can make quickly and that the whole fmaily will love. 

Hi friends! How are you and how’s the week going? It’s been a great one over here. I’m taking a barre class this afternoon and getting my nails done. They need it!

For today’s post, I wanted to share some quick and easy recipes that would be perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, or a lazy Sunday. I’ve gone back to making quick meals on Sundays and it’s been such a treat to eat something at home that didn’t take a couple of hours to make.

I rounded up 9 quick and easy dinner *recipes* (just throw-together meals!) perfect for those cozy Sunday nights when you’d rather relax than cook up a storm. For us, the rest of the week is equally fast around here… but I had to title this post appropriately for The Man (aka Google).

Here are some of our go-tos:

Lazy Sunday Dinner Ideas

Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Creamy, comforting, and oh-so-delicious, this Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a family favorite that comes together in no time.

Ingredients:

Pasta of your choice

Chicken breasts

Alfredo sauce

Garlic

Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions.

Step 2: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown.

Step 3: In a separate pan, heat Alfredo sauce and minced garlic.

Step 4: Combine cooked pasta, sliced chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. I love to serve this with broccoli on the side or a salad kit.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Let your slow cooker do all the work with this hearty and flavorful Beef Stew that’s perfect for chilly Sunday evenings.

Ingredients:

Beef stew meat

Potatoes

Carrots

Onion

Beef broth

Tomato paste

Worcestershire sauce

Garlic

Herbs and spices

Instructions:

Step 1: Place beef stew meat, chopped potatoes, carrots, and onion in the slow cooker.

Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and herbs/spices.

Step 3: Pour mixture over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken

This simple yet elegant Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken is bursting with flavor.

Ingredients:

Whole chicken

Lemon

Garlic

Olive oil

Fresh herbs (such as rosemary and thyme)

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Stuff the cavity of the chicken with lemon halves, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs.

Step 4: Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and season well with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Roast in the oven for 1-1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). I like to serve this with sweet potatoes (cook in the Instant pot with a little water for 30 minutes) and sauteed zucchini.

Quick and Easy Teriya

Sharing my version of the amazing Whole Foods red lentil dal soup, which is one of my very favorites. It’s gluten-free, dairy free, and a plant-based source of protein and nutrients.

Hi friends! How’s the week going so far? I’m in full elf mode over here; baking cookies, wrapping gifts, and even though I feel like I was prepared, there are a lot of last-minute errands to run. To k(partially) preserve my sanity, I’m spending some time in the sauna blanket tonight and have a yoga class booked for tomorrow.

For now, how about a cozy bowl of soup?

I have a mental list of quick grab-and-go meals that I can swoop in a pinch, are healthy, and that I really enjoy. Thankfully, Tucson has a lot of amazing healthy restaurants (and we just got a True Food!!), which makes it pretty easy. If I find myself in a bind and hangry in between picking up kids and running errands, it’s nice to know I have some faves I can easily pick up.

Whole Foods Red Lentil Dal Soup (copycat recipe)

This is one of my favorite easy healthy pickup meal options. I’ve had this lentil soup so many times this fall season already, I knew I needed to try to recreate it at home. The result is a super hearty, flavorful soup, with lots of nutrients, and is great with a large salad for lunch. It also freezes beautifully.

Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a try!

Ingredients:

One yellow onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and chopped