A healthy and balanced diet is the keystone to good health. And the term ‘body weight’ cannot be generalized. There is no common ideal weight .It is different for different individuals and depends on various factors like age, height, metabolic rate and many more. The universally accepted BMI or Body Mass Index stands as the ideal weight measure for each person. If your body accumulates too much body from the food that you consume, then you will gain weight, leading to obesity and other health problems.

To lose weight in a healthy way, you don’t have to abstain from eating your favourite food. It is not possible achieve weight loss just in a fortnight because you gained weight by coming through a long run, not just in one or two days. Make necessary changes to your daily routine to include the required amount of physical activity so as to sweat the excess weight out. Drink plenty of water. Practice some stress management techniques like mediation, yoga, singing, dancing etc.Include a wide variety of dishes in your diet rather than confining to some fruits and vegetables.

Here are some tasty yet healthy organic recipes with help to stay within your weight goal limits.

1. BAKED CHICKEN NUGGETS

INGREDIENTS: Chicken thighs, boneless, skinless 1-1/2 pounds;

                                     Ready-to-eat cereal, organic cornflakes, crumbs 1 cup

                                     Paprika 1 teaspoon

                                     Italian herb seasoning 1/2 teaspoon

                                     Garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon

                                     Onion powder 1/4 teaspoon

            PREPARATION TIME: 15 MINUTES

            CONVENTIONAL COOKING TIME: 12 TO 14 MINUTES

            METHOD:

• Remove skin and bone; cut thighs into bite-sized pieces.
• Place organic cornflakes in plastic bag and crush by using a rolling pin.
• Add remaining ingredients to crushed cornflakes. Close bag tightly and shake until blended.
• Add a few chicken pieces at a time to crumb mixture. Shake to coat evenly.

CONVENTIONAL METHOD: Preheat oven to 400˚ F. Lightly grease a cooking sheet. Place chicken pieces on cooking sheet so they are not touching. Bake until golden brown, about 12 to 14minutes.

2. CHEESE-STUFFED POTATOES

INGREDIENTS:     Baking potatoes 4 (8 ounces each)

Low fat cottage cheese 7/8 cup

Whole milk 2 tablespoons

Onion, minced 2 tablespoons

Paprika 1/4 teaspoon

           PREPARATION TIME: 20 MINUTES

CONVENTIONAL COOKING TIME: 30 TO 45 MINUTES

METHOD:

• Scrub potatoes and remove any blemishes.

CONVENTIONAL METHOD: Preheat oven to 400˚ F. Place potatoes in oven and bake until tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.

TO STUFF POTATOES:

Slice each potato in half, lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out pulp, leaving about 1/4-inch thick shells, saving pulp. Blend cheese, milk, and onion. Add potato pulp; mix until light and fluffy. Fill potato halves with mixture. Sprinkle paprika over potatoes.

3. POTATO SOUP

INGREDIENTS:     Onion, chopped 3/4 cup (1 medium)

Potatoes, peeled, diced 4-1/2 cups

Organic olive oil 1 tablespoon

Flour 3 tablespoons

Whole milk 1 quart

PREPARATION TIME: 25 MINUTES

COOKING TIME: 15 MINUTES

METHOD:

• Place onions and potatoes in sauce pan. Cover with water and bring to boil. Simmer until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Pour organic olive oil in saucepan. Add flour and stir until smooth. Heat to thicken.
• Add onions and potatoes to milk mixture, and heat to serving temperature.

4. BAKED BEANS

INGREDIENTS: Organic beans 3 cups

        Brown sugar 2 tablespoons

PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINUTES

COOKING TIME: 35 MINUTES

METHOD:

• In small (1 quart) casserole dish, combine beans and brown sugar.
• Cover and bake at 350˚ F until bubbly, about few minutes.

5. COOKED ORGANIC BROWN RICE CEREAL

INGREDIENTS:   rice, uncooked 1-1/2 cups

Low fat milk 2 cups

Sugar 1/4 cup

Ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon

PREPARATION TIME: 10 MINUTES

COOKING TIME: 15 MINUTES

METHOD:

• Cook organic brown rice according to instructions on the package.
• Combine warm cooked rice, milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir and serve.

6. OATMEAL COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:   Sugar 3/4 cup

          Margarine 2 tablespoons

          Egg 1

          Canned apple sauce 1/4 cup

1% low fat milk 2 tablespoons

Flour 1 cup

Baking soda 1/4 teaspoon

Ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon

Quick rolled oats 1 cup + 2 tablespoons

PREPARATION TIME: 20 MINUTES

COOKING TIME: 13 TO 15 MINUTES EACH BATCH

METHOD:

• Preheat oven to 350˚ F and lightly grease cookie sheets.
• In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix sugar and margarine. Mix until well blended, about 3 minutes.
• Slowly add egg; mix on medium speed 1 minute.
• Gradually add apple sauce and milk; mix on medium speed, 1 minute. Scrape sides of bowl.
• In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Slowly add to apple sauce mixture; mix on low speed until blended, about 2 minutes.
• Add oats and blend 30 seconds on low speed. Scrape sides of bowl.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.
• Bake until lightly browned, about 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from baking sheet while still warm. Cool on wire rack.

7. ORGANIC TEA

INGREDIENTS: Organic tea bags, flavoured with mint, tulsi or ginger.

                          Boiled water

                         Organic honey as to taste.

PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINUTES

METHOD: Dip the tea bags for 5 minutes in a cup of boiled water and seep it. Add honey, if required.

For more information on healthy organic recipes, click here.