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You have a ton on your plate these days. On top of being a total girl boss, you're trying to start a new fitness routine and stay healthy, all while getting dinner on the table quickly. Accomplishing it all may seem like an impossible feat, but with the help of healthy slow-cooker recipes and quick clean meals, the execution is a piece of low-carb cake. To simplify it even further, we've gathered clean-eating recipes that will keep you healthy and get you out of your dinner rut once and for all. Get your Pinterest board ready, and keep reading to make your wholesome grocery list.
Cheesy Steak Keto Tacos
Going keto is one way to really cut your carbs, but that doesn't mean you have to give up all of your guilty pleasures. This recipe lets you keep Taco Tuesday alive, even on this specialty diet. (via Brit + Co)
Instant Pot Steamed Cod With Ginger Scallion Sauce
From a frozen state, fish only takes 5 minutes to pressure-cook. From there, it's just about adding the sauce and serving with rice, which you can sub out for brown rice or riced cauliflower. (via Brit + Co)
Mediterranean Boneless Pork Chops
They don't call pork chops the other white meat for nothing. When you grow tired of chicken night after night, these Mediterranean chops will revive your love for healthy eating. (via Skinnytaste)
One-Pan Healthy Sausage and Veggies
Sheet pan meals are essential in your weeknight recipe repertoire. You have to consider cleaning time as well as cooking time, and this dish has the minimal amount of each. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)
Chicken Zoodle Soup
Swapping zoodles for regular noodles is the easiest way to lighten up a meal. Try it with this chicken soup, and you won't miss the carbs one bit. (via Brit + Co)
One-Pot Burrito Bowls
Why not make your burrito naked? Nix the chemical-laden flour tortilla and instead, make a burrito bowl with all of your favorite toppings. (via I Heart Nap Time)
Herb-Crusted Salmon
You can't go wrong when it comes to salmon. It's buttery, quick-cooking, and full of healthy fats. Simply cover with mustard and coat with breadcrumbs and herbs before baking on high heat. (via Peas and Crayons)
Spicy Shrimp and Cauliflower Mash With Garlic Kale
Clean dinners that you can also serve on date night are hard to come by. Pair this spicy shrimp with a glass of red wine, and the two of you definitely won't feel deprived. (via Pinch of Yum)
Baked Bell Pepper Tacos
This stuffed-pepper-meets-taco hybrid is calling your name. You can even prep these ahead of time and have them ready to pop in the oven when you get home. (via Peas and Crayons)
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad With Kale and Artichokes
No one said you have to give up pasta to eat clean. Go for a gluten-free quinoa penne and you can have your fix whenever you want. (via The Healthy Maven)
30-Minute Quinoa Enchilada Skillet
Even the pickiest of kids (or adults) will love this Mexican-inspired skillet. Throw a bit of shredded cheese on top and you can get them to eat just about anything. (via Jessica in the Kitchen)
Corn Chowder
Soup's on! Even if you think you have nothing to make for dinner, you probably have all the ingredients you need to prepare a comforting pot of healthy turkey and corn chowder. (via Diethood)
Skillet Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are a little fattier than breasts, which makes them sear exceptionally well when pan-frying. Plus, the dark meat complements garlic and Parmesan in a way that white meat never could. (via Joyful Healthy Eats)
Garlic Mushroom Quinoa
Technically this is a side dish, but if you love mushrooms, you can easily make this into your main meal. Hearty, healthy, and full of that irresistible herby and woody flavor, it's practically foolproof. (via Damn Delicious)
Asian Salmon in Foil
Rich in heart-healthy fats, salmon is on our menu at least once a week. It's cooked in foil, so you don't have to worry about the marinade scorching any of your pans. (via Damn Delicious)
Grilled Harissa Shrimp With Chickpea-Dill Tomato Sauce
Pack in the protein by combining harissa-marinated shrimp and chickpeas into one dish. A sauce made with fresh dill and fire-roasted tomatoes adds even more flavor. (via Brit + Co)
30-Minute Plantain Tofu Curry
Made with plantains, tomato, tofu, and peanut butter, this curry is full of energizing plant-based protein. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
Veggie-Packed Tofu Coconut Red Curry Soup
Healthy, fast meals don't only mean salad. You can have a warm and cozy bowl of soup packed with good-for-you ingredients in just 30 minutes too. (via Hello Veggie)
Curried Cauliflower Soup
A hearty purée of cauliflower makes this soup satisfying enough to keep you full, even though it doesn't contain any meat. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
Cranberry Orange Pork Tenderloin With Green Beans
Quick-cooking pork tenderloin is lean and juicy, and paired with tart cranberries and fresh green beans it makes for an exciting dinner. (via The Recipe Critic)
Vegan Moroccan Chickpea Skillet
A Moroccan spice blend and squeeze of fresh lemon add some intrigue to a simple pan of chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and bell pepper. (via Sweet Peas and Saffron)
One Pan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes, Kale, and Cranberries
Fill your cast iron skillet with sweet potatoes, kale, and chicken, then flavor with a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese and fresh chopped herbs. Serve with a pan of cooked whole grains if you're extra hungry. (via Well Plated)
Five-Ingredient Lemon Chicken With Asparagus
Chicken is the ultimate protein when it comes to healthy and fast meals. Pair it with lemon-pepper seasoning, asparagus, and honey butter, and you'll have a staple recipe that's ready in a flash. (via Pinch of Yum)
Lemony Greens Soup
So flavorful and nutritious, this delicious soup recipe is both tasty AF and budget-friendly! (via Brit + Co)
Whole30 Animal Style Burgers
Sub some crunchy lettuce for the carb-heavy bun and voila! Now you can enjoy juicy, budget-friendly burgers guilt-free. (via Brit + Co)
Cheesy Smashed Brussels Sprouts
If you love your zoodles and spaghetti squash than this is the crispy and ultra-cheesy — and clean!! — recipe for you. (via Brit + Co)
Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Asparagus and mozzarella are truly a match made in food heaven. Stoke out your roommates, your beau, or yourself (!!) with cheese-smothered, asparagus deliciousness. (via Brit + Co)
BBQ Tofu-Stuffed Pita Pockets
Are you vegan and on a food shopping on a shoestring? Even if you're a meat-loving maniac, this simple-to-make recipe will satisfy your craving, quickly and affordably. (via Brit + Co)
Chickpea Stew with Pistachio Pesto
Nom, nom, nom! If it were up to us we'd eat pesto with every meal. This simple stew recipe will deliver the time-saving flavor you need while saving you a few bucks, too. (via Brit + Co)
Simple Walnut-Crusted Salmon
Yet another salmon recipe we're all about. Enjoy this nutty recipe that features the tender pink fish and hearty walnuts — a tasty and affordable combo that's easy to make any night of the week. (via Brit + Co)
Follow us on Pinterest and check out Brit + Co's Food page!
This article has been updated from a post previously published on June 2019.
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More From Food
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
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Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
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You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures