Eat Well With Nyla J
Losing weight & eating healthy, while enjoying every moment.
Being fit isn't easy. A part of self care is embracing your curves, stretch marks, and everything else that makes you...you.
Join me on a journey to body positivity, health, and new recipes. The destination....happiness and self-love.
Shrimp & Grits
A fav of mine! Its a quick and simple recipe that hits the spot. I cleaned and deveined the shrimp. I seasoned the shrimp with garlic powder, lemon pepper, scotch bonnet pepper seasoning (just a little) and paprika. I sat the shrimp aside while the water came to a boil for the grits. After the raging boil, I put butter and a pinch of salt in the water then added the grits. Cook grits to your liking (thick or thin) . In a small skillet, sauté white onions, green peppers, red peppers and tomatoes. Once almost cooked, I added the shrimp to the sauteed veggies. Once done, I put everything in a bowl and top with green onions. This satisfies any shrimp and grits craving and I absolutely love it.
My first time frying Perch! I used cornmeal and egg wash for the breading. I seasoned the fish with cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powder, lemon juice, lemon pepper and parley. The asparagus and tomatoes were grilled. I would suggest watching it more closely than I did because five minutes was almost too long. I was concentrating on the fish and asparagus so my mashed potatoes were made too thin. Anywho, fry the fish on high or medium/high and take them out when they are brown and crispy to your liking.
Perch & Asparagus
Salmon Croquettes
Salmon patties are the star of this show. I used canned salmon, green onions, parsley, lemon juice, lemon pepper, cayenne pepper, white onions and an egg to hold them together. I did not use breadcrumbs or flour (which is probably why they were falling apart). I let them sit with the seasoning for at least an hour. Then, I skillet fried them on each side for at 3-5 mins. It was complemented by a California veggie blend and my favorite.....Jasmine rice!
I definitely need a go to Salmon Croquette recipe, so if you have one, please share.
Blueberry Pancakes
This was a spur of the moment brunch but it came our fantastic! The omelet was made with chorizo sausage, spinach, red and green onions. Seasoned with pepper and garlic. The pancakes were made using a pancake mix with fresh blueberries added during the mixing stage. The key to get a pretty pancake is to use a small pan on low or medium low heat and make one or two pancakes at a time. I added fresh blueberries and whipped cream on top to get that restaurant feel.
Turkey Meatballs
Of course I am no dietitian but here's a simple meal that is delicious and nutritious. First, season your ground turkey. I used garlic, pepper, paprika, fresh parsley and onion powder. Once seasoned, set aside and start on the potatoes (so the seasoning marinate). For the mashed potatoes, boil your water with a cup of chicken broth & some butter. Once boiling, add your potatoes and let them boil for about 20-30 minutes. While that is cooking, mix an egg, parmesan cheese and bread crumbs to a bowl. Add your ground turkey and mix the ingredients with your hands. Once the turkey is evenly coated (which shouldn't take long), began to round your meatballs. Lightly make a circle with the meat, if you roll it too much it will be tough. Once you have shaped them, brown them on top of the stove, then put them in the oven for about 20 minutes. Began to steam your broccoli using a little water in the pan and placing a top over the broccoli. While that is steaming, go back to the potatoes, pour water off if needed, and smash the potatoes with a fork or spoon. This should be effortless as they have been boiled soft. Add heavy whipping cream or milk to get your desired consistency. Add spaghetti sauce to a pan to heat up. Pour the sauce on top of the potatoes and meatballs to get the meal below.
Fruit Mania
One of the easiest meals to make! This breakfast consists of one English muffin with Sugar-free strawberry Jam, bacon, kiwi, blueberries, blackberries, and pineapple. The great thing about this meal- you can add whatever your fav fruit is, you can sub bacon for your choice of meat or have a meatless meal. Either way, its quick, easy and delicious.
Salmon & Zucchini
Mix garlic, pepper, soy sauce and brown sugar. No need to measure. Taste it and you will add more of what you feel is needed. Pour the mixture over the salmon and leave it sitting in the fridge for at least 15 minutes but no longer than 24 hours. Season your zucchini with pepper, garlic, basil and paprika. Drizzle with olive oil and bake on 350 for 30 mins. Boil coconut milk and water in a pot and cook your rice in this mix to add a bit more flavor. Pan sear salmon to desired doneness, add any remaining mixture on top and Viola!
Bok Choy Breakfast
As you know, I love breakfast. I accidently made (another) meatless breakfast delight with Bok choy, scrambled eggs and tomatoes.
Sauté the Bok Choy with sesame oil, garlic and pepper for 10 minutes, turning them over after five. Scramble the eggs to your liking then add red and green onions. Lastly, sauté the tomatoes for a minute or so just to soften them up. Enjoy!
Eating Healthy on Vacation
Its really hard to be discipline while traveling. I was sure to keep a variety of colors and flavors while still enjoying vacation. Keep in mind that you do not have to be perfect during your health journey, so do not beat yourself up after a cheat meal, or two.
The (not so boring) Salad
For lunch I wanted a salad, but I am tired of the normal, lettuce chicken, Caesar salad. So here, I pan fried salmon with Jamaican curry seasoning and garlic. I made the salad with spinach, feta cheese, fresh strawberries, almonds and walnuts. It was fantastic as is or you can add Italian salad dressing.
Brisket Breakfast
This brisket breakfast was a joint effort for me and my life partner. He smoked the brisket and I made the easy items. For this breakfast, I added sliced tomatoes to sneak in some veggies. Sprinkle them with a pinch of salt and viola! The eggs were scrambled with pepper, garlic powder and sour cream. Served with toasted wheat Sara Lee bread.
Curry Salmon & Rice
Now this is a new recipe for me. Here we have Salmon, a curry veggie mix and Jasmine rice. First, I used carrots, zucchini, white onions, red onions, green peppers, and red potatoes. This mix was seasoned with garlic (obviously), pepper, and a (random store bought) Thai curry seasoning. The curry sauce was made with the Thai curry seasoning, coconut milk, garlic and turmeric. The veggie mix was cooked in the curry sauce, leaving some on the side for the salmon. The salmon was seasoned with pepper, fresh garlic, paprika, a PINCH of salt, then pan seared on both sides. After the salmon was almost done, I added the curry sauce to the pan. The rice was seasoned with pepper and butter. This recipe is one of my favs!
Veggie Delight
If you are looking to sneak some meatless meals in your week, I find it easy to do it during breakfast. Here we have scrambled eggs with spinach, strawberries and toast. The eggs were scrambled with sour cream (makes them fluffy), spinach and I can't believe its not butter. The eggs were seasoned with garlic powder, pepper and paprika. Toast has I can't believe its not butter and Peach preserves.
Baked Chicken Wings
Baked Chicken Wings, Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus; Chicken seasoned with garlic, pepper, hot sauce, and mustard. Marinated for at least one hour. Bake until done, then broil until desired crisp. Add Hot sauce and mustard (mixed) on top. Baked sweet potato seasoned with cinnamon and garlic. Top with Butter and garlic. Asparagus seasoned with pepper and garlic. Clearly I love garlic!
Tilapia for Breakfast
Tilapia fried in coconut oil, coated with cornmeal, garlic, pepper, red pepper flakes, fresh lemon juice, topped with Hot sauce.
We have an over easy fried egg topped with pepper (only), and strawberries on the side.
Salmon Patty
Salmon Patty was not my best! But was good. Made with flour, garlic, pepper, cayenne pepper, lemon pepper, and egg (to hold it together). Fried in coconut oil.
On the side we have squash (green and yellow), sweet peppers and red onions with a side of basmati rice.
Salmon Breakfast
Ingredients: Fresh Kiwi, Fresh Tomatoes, Salmon, Scrambled eggs, spinach and red onions. Salmon seasoned with garlic and lemon pepper. Scrambled eggs seasoned with sour cream, garlic, pepper, and chilli powder.
Italian inspired
Ingredients: Mushroom ravioloi, topped with Salmon.
Side dish is asparagus & tomatoes sauteed in coconut oil. Seasoned with pepper, garlic, fresh parsely and red pepper flakes.
Spagetti Night
Ingredients: Turkey meatballs, mushrooms, red onions, green peppers, spagetti sauce. Seasoned with garlic, pepper, oregano. On top of Angel Hair pasta.
Ingredients: plant based crumbles, scrambled eggs, avocado toast, and pinapples. Eggs were seasoed with pepper, garlic and chilli powder. Avocacdo toast seasoned with salt and pepper.
Turkey Chorizo tacos with butter lettuce, taco sauce, fresh cilantro with a squeeze of lime juice.
Veggie Omlette
Ingredients: two eggs, green peppers, green onions, plant based ground crumbles. Seasoned with garlic. pepper and topped with Sriracha sauce.
My fav meat subsitute
Although I am not vegetarian, I do enjoy a veggie meal. This is my favorite plant based meat substitute.
Eggplant Parm -Before
A new recipe for me. Ingredients : eggplant, zuccini, tomato sauce, parsley, yellow cheese, parmasean cheese. Baked for 40 minutes at 350F.
Eggplant Parm- After
Seasoned with garlic (of course), pepper, cayenne pepper, and italian seasoning. On top of angel hair pasta.
Fried Shrimp & Broccoli
Shrimp fried in coconut oil, seasoned with cornmeal, garlic powder, pepper, chili powder and lemon pepper. Broccoli stemmed, seasoned with pepper and butter.
Homemade Fried Rice
Homemade fried rice made with (cooked) white rice, peas, one egg and seasame oil.
