As you head into spring you should be ready to take on the spring diet. That could include eating more healthy and working out more to really get that “beach bod”. Here are a few healthy snacks and meals that could help you with that.

Snack – Avocado Salsa 

Ingredients: 

1 ⅔ cups thawed frozen corn

2 cans of sliced ripe olives, drained

1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

5 garlic cloves, minced

⅓ cup olive oil

¼ cup lemon juice

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon salt 

½ teaspoon pepper

4 medium ripe avocados, peeled

Tortilla chips Photo, courtesy of Taste of Home.com

Directions:

20 mins prep time. Combine corn, olives, red peppers and onions. In another bowl mix garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cider vinegar, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Pour over corn mixture, toss to coat, Cover it and refrigerate overnight.

Before you serve, chop up the avocados and mix into salsa and serve with tortilla chips.

This is a fast snack that is great for a party. It is flavorful and healthy. 

Dinner meal – Casablanca Chicken Couscous

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 medium onion, chopped 

1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 package uncooked Israeli couscous 

½ teaspoon salt 

½ teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 cans reduced-sodium chicken broth

⅔ dried tropical fruit

1 can garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained

½ plain yogurt

1 small carrot, grated

¼ cup minced fresh parsley                                    

1 Medium lemon Photo, courtesy of Taste of Home.com

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; saute until softened, 3-4 minutes. Add chicken, couscous, salt, pepper and pepper flakes; cook and stir until chicken begins to brown, 3-5 minutes. Add broth and dried fruit; cook, uncovered, until chicken and couscous are tender and fruit is moist, 8-10 minutes.

Stir in remaining ingredients; heat through. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, zest strips and serve with lemon wedges.

This is a slower but healthy meal. It takes 20 minutes to prepare the meal and 15 minutes to actually make it.