This post was sponsored by Butterball Easy Fresh.
Spring is finally here, and if you’re like me, you’re ready to get outside for your workouts!
Some of you might be training for an upcoming race, which means that it’s time to really refine what you eat to ensure optimal muscle building and healing after those tough training sessions!
I’m a true believer in carbs to power a workout, and after the workout, some high-quality protein to mend muscles and also to promote satiety. Yup, satiety is part of the equation too. I’ve had the lovely experience of gaining weight while training for a marathon, which sounds nuts but is actually sort of common. One of the reasons why that happened was because I was concentrating too much on carbs, and not enough on protein. The carbs were delish, but they didn’t fill me up for long enough, so I was eating..and eating…and eating…you get the point. Running 42k with five extra pounds on me wasn’t exactly my finest four hours. I should have focused more on getting the protein I needed to be lean and strong, and it was the last time I ever made that mistake.
I suggest that most healthy people aim for 25-30 grams of protein at each meal. Getting that amount of protein isn’t usually the problem; what I see most often as the issue is that my clients get bored of the same old chicken day after day.
When I discuss protein sources with them, one thing many clients are concerned about is the time it takes to prepare proteins, especially after working all day. I usually recommend meal prep, but let’s face it – we all have evenings where we get home starving and there’s nothing prepared or ready to cook and eat.
That’s where Butterball’s new Easy Fresh line comes in for the win.
When you think turkey, do you immediately think of either a huge bird for Thanksgiving or sliced deli meat? Not anymore! Butterball Easy Fresh is a new line of turkey cutslike thighs, drumsticks, wings, and breast slices, that are ready to cook, right out of the package. I’m so happy that turkey lovers now have a new convenient option for their meals!
One of my standard recommendations for clients has always been to roast a fresh turkey breast for salads, sandwiches, and other meals. That idea is new to a lot of people; they’ve never thought of turkey as an everyday choice. I’ve always loved turkey, though – high in B vitamins, zinc, selenium and amino acids, it’s a delicious and healthy protein alternative.
Easy Fresh’s convenient packaging makes it even easier to put turkey on your table and because it’s never frozen, there’s no defrosting required. Your dinner can come together in no time at all. The only thing Butterball could do to make things even easier is to come to my house and cook the meal for me! I’d love this lemon garlic rosemary one pot dinner using Easy Fresh turkey drumsticks or these turkey quesadillas using Easy Fresh skinless turkey breast. YUM. If you’re feeling adventurous, try my new Chili Lime Turkey Burrito bowls with Lime Vinaigrette!
I developed this un-recipe using Butterball Easy Fresh Chili Lime Boneless Turkey Thighs. They grilled up so quickly, and all I did was whisk the vinaigrette and assemble the bowls. They’re so easy, the only thing you need a recipe for is the vinaigrette, and even that has just four ingredients!
Customize the burrito bowls however you like. Better yet, use whatever leftover vegetables and starches you have already in your fridge, and enjoy!
You'll love these quick and easy bowls that can be customized to suit everyone in your family! Feel free to double the recipe - it's perfect for meal prep!
- 1 package Butterball Easy Fresh Boneless Chili Lime Boneless Turkey Thighs
- 1/4 cup neutral oil
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon lime zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
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1 1/2 cups of cooked grains: brown or white rice, quinoa, wheatberries, millet, or other grain. If you’re not eating grains, you can completely skip this step.
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3-4 cups salad greens: Romaine, spinach, arugula, kale, or other, washed and dried.
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Toppings: Grilled or cooked vegetables, avocado, black beans, corn, tomatoes, cheese, or whatever else you have.
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Cook the turkey thighs according to package directions, either in the oven or on the grill.
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Chop and set aside.
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Assemble the bowls by layering the grains, greens, and toppings and then the turkey thighs.
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Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients and serve with the bowls. You’ll probably have a bit left over - use it to dip veggies into or with another dish.
