Click on the photos below to access the recipes!

FYI: The jars I love to use in these recipes are linked here!

As many of you know, I am staunchly anti-diet culture, meaning I’m against the idea that at all points in time we need to be pursuing weight loss or engaging in weight suppressive behaviors. I think it’s extremely tragic that we waste years, decades, or even entire lives tracking macros, counting calories, obsessively reading labels, and irrationally fearing food to the detriment of more important aspects of our lives.

That said, I also understand that there are times in our lives when it is vital to prioritize nutrition strongly, and one such time is perimenopause.  Now that I am in my mid-forties, I’ve had to take a hard look at my dietary patterns to see where I can make more health supportive choices. One such change I’ve made is to prioritize high-protein and high-fiber foods, which support the metabolic, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal changes associated with this transition. While I’ve always enjoyed a high-fiber diet due to my enthusiasm for vegetables, I’ve dedicated the last few months to finding ways to incorporate more lean protein into my diet. These three Veggie Packed Chicken Salads above reflect this change and demonstrate that we can get more protein and fiber into our lives in a way that doesn’t sacrifice pleasure.