Optavia is a diet program that uses meal replacements and pre-packaged foods to control calorie intake. It focuses on lean proteins and non-starchy vegetables and discourages sweets and higher calorie foods.
While Optavia is a convenient option for weight loss, it is not recommended by experts. It can be expensive, and its calorie-controlled meals may not meet a person’s nutritional needs.
Char-Grilled Tuscan Steak with Zucchini & Onion
This char-grilled steak recipe is inspired by Florentine Steak – but with a much more modern approach. Its simple & flavorful marinade soaks your tender cut of choice into big, punchy & incredibly herby flavors & a beautiful charred crust & juicy center!
This Tuscan-style marinade is filled with lemon, garlic & aromatic fresh herbs to create a zesty, rich, savory treat for the whole family. It’s the perfect way to brighten up your next grilled steak dinner!
The steaks are marinated in a fragrant mixture of olive oil, lemon zest, fresh rosemary sprigs, dried oregano & crushed red pepper flakes. You can prepare the marinade up to a day in advance & let the flavors infuse the meat!
Before grilling, pat the steaks dry & generously season with salt & black pepper. This is a crucial step for crispy char!
Using a medium-high heat, grill the steaks on each side for about 3-5 minutes, depending on how you like your steak cooked. For a rare or medium-rare steak, a thermometer should register 115-120 degrees F (refer to the blog post for more guidance on how to check for doneness).
You can grill the zucchini as well, but remember it needs to be thin enough to cook quickly without burning it on the outside before it’s tender on the inside! If you use thicker slices, it will take longer to grill but you’ll get a gorgeous charred exterior and tender interior.
To serve, divide the grilled steaks & zucchini among two plates & top with a few spoonfuls of caramelized onion, a sprig or three of dill and a dollop of hummus. You can also garnish with a drizzle of pesto or a vibrant sauce like Italian-style salsa verde!
The dill gives the steaks an extra burst of herby flavor & the lemon juice is the key to brightening up this delicious grilled meal. A sprinkle of smoky finishing salt is a nice touch, too!
This char-grilled zucchini & steak recipe is super quick, easy & versatile. It’s perfect for a picnic, family BBQ, or any night you want to enjoy something quick & hearty!
Grilled Mediterranean Steak with Spinach & Feta
If you love Mediterranean flavors, then this grilled steak recipe is sure to be a hit. It’s loaded with delicious flavors like sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and olives. It’s also easy to prepare.
This steak recipe is made with a Mediterranean-inspired marinade that includes garlic, oregano, and fresh lemon juice. It’s served with a simple herbed-yogurt dressing and topped with a sprinkle of salty feta cheese for an authentic meal that’s both healthy and satisfying!
Whether you’re having guests over for dinner or just enjoying a romantic evening at home, this delicious Mediterranean dish will make the perfect meal. It can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
To begin, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Season the steak with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare (6-7 minutes per side for medium).
Flip and continue cooking until the steak is cooked through, an instant-read thermometer reads 140 degrees for medium rare or 150 degrees for medium. Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
While the steak is grilling, prep the vegetables. Wash and chop the cucumbers and romaine lettuce. Divide the chopped romaine and veggies among 4 plates or shallow bowls.
Garnish each plate with sliced steak, grilled vegetables, hummus, chopped cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese. Drizzle with Herbed-Yogurt Dressing and garnish with lemon wedges or torn fresh mint leaves for a beautifully presented salad that’s sure to please.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how quick and easy this dish is to prepare. You can even prepare the Herbed-Yogurt Dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it!
This grilled steak recipe is a perfect example of how easy it is to make tasty meals without having to spend too much time in the kitchen. It’s a great choice for busy people who want to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family. You can also serve it at dinner parties as part of a buffet-style meal.
Grilled Tilapia & Vegetables
Grilled tilapia is the perfect choice for summer dinners! It’s a versatile and easy fish to prepare, and it’s high in protein and low in fat. It’s also a healthy option for those who are vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free.
The secret to delicious grilled tilapia is flavorful seasonings that complement the mild fish. You’ll want to apply a simple Italian marinade to both sides of the fish before cooking. The marinade can be made with oil, lemon or lime juice, spices, and herbs.
To make this recipe, start by cleaning the tilapia. Rinse it in cold water, then wipe it down with a paper towel to remove any lingering bacteria or oil. Cut the tilapia into thin fillets.
Once the tilapia is prepared, you’ll want to grill it over medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees). You can use an instant read thermometer or cook for a few minutes longer until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. You should be able to flake the fish easily, and you should remove it from the grill when the flesh is white and easily pulls away from the bone.
Next, you’ll need to prepare the veggies. You can slice them on a large cutting board using a knife or a handheld vegetable peeler. Then, you’ll need to combine them together with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt.
You can also add fresh basil to the veggies for extra flavor, and some capers or black olives if you like a little more salty kick. The whole thing is topped off with lemon for a bright and refreshing taste.
These foil packets are easy to prep and grill, plus they’re a great way to pack a meal for the entire family. The tilapia filets are wrapped with vegetables and served over a bed of rice for an effortless and healthy dinner that’s sure to please!
This is a fast and easy dinner that’s perfect for busy days! The tilapia can be cooked in just 10 minutes, and you can have it on the table in no time at all. Whether you’re making it for a quick weeknight meal or a party, these foil packets will be a hit with your friends and family!
Grilled Salmon & Vegetables
A quick and simple way to have a tasty fish dinner, grilled salmon pairs well with vegetables as a side dish. It also makes a good light meal for those on a diet, because it’s low in calories and carbs while still being filling and satisfying.
It’s a great protein source, too; it’s high in proteins and B vitamins and has lots of Omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids help to protect against heart disease, cancer, and other health issues, as do the minerals potassium and selenium.
The fish can be seasoned to taste, but it’s usually just brushed with a little butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper before being tossed on the grill. When done, it’s easy to cut into slices and serve alongside a variety of fresh vegetables.
If you’d like to add a bit more flavor to this recipe, try squirting some teriyaki sauce or a dollop of Sriracha on top for a kick of heat. Adding a touch of vinegar or citrus to the mix is a perfect complement, too!
You could use any summer vegetable you have on hand for the foil packets – we used zucchini and asparagus, but if you prefer mushrooms, bell peppers, or even yellow squash you can totally play around with that! The key is to make sure the veggies are soaked in some delicious oil so that they don’t burn on the grill.
Once the foil packets have been placed on the grill, put them over direct medium-high heat and close the lid to cook. It will take about 10 minutes.
When the time is up, open one of the packets and check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 145 degrees F. If it’s not quite there, close the packet and keep cooking a few more minutes to get it to the desired temperature.
The foil packs are a handy alternative to using the entire surface of the grill; they only take up about half the space and don’t restrict air flow, which can be dangerous when cooking over high heat. They also come in handy for quick, convenient cleanups.