Congratulations! You survived your best friend’s cookie swap, the holiday tins in your office and your family’s massive Christmas extravaganza. But it’s quite possible that after all those holiday roasts, cookies, chocolates and cocktails that you don’t feel quite as sprightly and energetic as you’d like to. If that’s the case, take a one-day breather from all of this season’s gluttony to get back on the right track. By the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, you’ll feel like a million bucks.
For Breakfast: Coconut Quinoa Porridge
Start your day with something warm and nourishing, but swap out the oatmeal for quinoa, which is higher in protein, keeping you satiated longer. This nutrient-dense coconut quinoa porridge, which was created by Sappho Hatzis of New York City’s Bluestone Lane, is cooked using coconut milk, then topped with two kinds of fruit, almond butter, nuts and coconut chips.
For Lunch: Skirt Steak Salad with Citrus and Arugula
Temporarily wean yourself off the breads, cookies and other complex carbs of the holidays with a skirt steak salad with citrus and arugula for lunch. Skirt steak is lean, flavorful and quick-cooking; if it’s too cold to grill outside, you can make this recipe using a hot pan instead.
For Dinner: Zucchini Noodles and Shrimp with Almond-Herb Pesto
Spiralized zucchini makes a surprisingly convincing stand-in for pasta, especially when it’s coated in a creamy, herbaceous pesto. Eat as much of these zucchini noodles and shrimp as you’d like—beta carotene-rich zucchini only rings in at 33 calories per squash.
As a Snack: Kale Chips with Sea Salt and Smoked Paprika
Fulfill your urge to snack and get your greens in for the day with these crispy baked chips, made from Vitamin K-filled kale. The secret to turning out perfect kale chips with smoked paprika is to distribute the oil and spices evenly on the leaves, and to avoid overcrowding them on the baking sheet.