Saturday, February 21, 2026

Creamy Polenta Salmon Bowls

 








The 6-Day Calm & Satisfied Salmon Prep


A Real Food Recovery Meal Prep That Keeps You Full, Focused, and Free


There is something powerful about opening your refrigerator and seeing six nourishing meals waiting for you.


Not something restrictive.

Not something low-calorie and sad.

But something abundant, warm, and deeply satisfying.


This week’s meal prep was exactly that:


• Baked salmon

• Creamy oven-baked polenta

• Steamed green beans

• Steamed baby carrots

• Roasted tomato, onion, carrot & garlic medley


Six balanced dinners.

Six decisions already made.

Six opportunities to choose nourishment over noise.


And it was absolutely divine.



Why This Meal Works for Recovery


When you’re healing from ultra-processed food patterns, your body needs:

   •   Adequate protein

   •   Real carbohydrates

   •   Healthy fats

   •   Fiber

   •   Volume and satisfaction


This meal checks every box.


The salmon delivers high-quality protein and omega-3 fats that support brain health and inflammation balance.


The polenta provides grounding, comforting carbohydrates without additives or refined ingredients.


The vegetables add fiber, texture, micronutrients, and visual abundance — which matters more than we think.


This is not about eating less.

It’s about eating enough of the right things.



How to Make All 6 Meals at Once


1. Creamy Baked Polenta


Ingredients:

   •   1 cup cornmeal (polenta)

   •   4 cups unsweetened almond milk (30 cal per cup)

   •   1 tablespoon olive oil


Instructions:

1. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.

2. Add cornmeal, almond milk, and olive oil.

3. Stir well.

4. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes.

5. Stir halfway through baking.


The result? Creamy, comforting, sliceable polenta that feels indulgent but is made from simple, whole ingredients.



2. Roasted Tomato Medley (Bake at Same Time)


Ingredients:

   •   Diced tomatoes

   •   Chopped onion

   •   1 diced carrot

   •   1 tablespoon chopped garlic

   •   Olive oil to coat


Instructions:

1. Toss everything in olive oil.

2. Spread on a parchment-lined baking pan.

3. Roast in the same 350°F oven.

4. Stir halfway through.


The tomatoes break down, the garlic sweetens, and the onion caramelizes into a rich, naturally sweet topping that brings the entire dish together.



3. Baked Salmon

   •   4 oz salmon portions

   •   Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.


Simple. Clean. Perfectly cooked.



4. Steamed Vegetables

   •   Baby carrots

   •   Green beans

   •   1 tablespoon water

   •   Microwave per package instructions


Bright. Fresh. Balanced.



Assembly


Divide everything equally into six containers.


Top each portion with the roasted tomato medley.


Close the lids.


And feel the calm.



Why Meal Prep Matters in Recovery


Every prepped meal is a future decision removed.


When you’re tired.

When stress hits.

When old habits whisper.


You don’t negotiate.

You nourish.


This is how we build trust with ourselves again.


Not with willpower.

But with preparation.


Not with restriction.

But with abundance.



If you’re walking the Real Food Recovery path, meals like this are more than food — they are anchors.


They stabilize blood sugar.

They support mood.

They reduce impulsive eating.

They remind you that real food is enough.


And when something this simple tastes this good?


Recovery feels sustainable.


Find more real-food strategies and recovery tools at

realfoodrecovery4u.com

Friday, February 13, 2026

Cilantro Lime Street Corn Protein Bowl







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Cilantro Lime Street Corn Protein Bowl


This savory, real-food protein bowl is a perfect meal prep option that’s high in protein, fiber-rich, and full of flavor. Roasted sweet potatoes form a naturally sweet and hearty base, topped with spiced lean beef, and finished with a creamy cilantro lime street corn topping. When ready to eat, top with fresh salsa, green onion, and cilantro for brightness and balance.


It’s satisfying, visually appealing, and completely made from whole ingredients — no ultra-processed foods, no mayo, just real, nourishing flavors.


Servings: 6 servings


Ingredients:


Roasted Sweet Potato Base

   •   1½ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

   •   1 tablespoon olive oil

   •   1 medium purple onion, diced

   •   Season, to taste


Spiced Beef Layer

   •   1 pound 96% lean ground beef

   •   1 medium onion, diced

   •   1 tablespoon chopped garlic

   •   1 teaspoon chili powder (more to taste)

   •   1 teaspoon cumin (more to taste)

   •   Dash of cayenne pepper


Cilantro Lime Street Corn Topping

   •   16 ounces full-fat cottage cheese

   •   1 teaspoon chili powder

   •   1 teaspoon garlic 

   •   2 tablespoon lime juice

   •   2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 

   •   1 tablespoon green onion  

   •   2 cups corn (fresh or thawed frozen)

 

   


To Finish (Added Fresh)

   •   Salsa, 2 tablespoons per serving

   •   Extra chopped green onion

   •   Fresh cilantro, for garnish



Instructions


1. Roast the Sweet Potatoes


Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potatoes and onion with olive oil and seasoning if using. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized. Divide into 6 meal prep containers as the bottom layer.


2. Cook the Beef


In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, diced onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne, until the onions are soft and the beef is fully cooked. Simmer until excess liquid has evaporated and the mixture is well-seasoned. Divide evenly over the sweet potato base in each container.


3. Make the Cilantro Lime Street Corn


Blend cottage cheese with lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder,  cilantro, and green onion until silky. Fold in the corn. Spoon evenly over the beef layer in each container.


4. Add Final Toppings


When ready to eat, top each bowl with 2 tablespoons salsa, additional chopped green onion, and fresh cilantro. Optional: squeeze a lime wedge over the top for extra brightness.



Meal Prep Tips

   •   The blended cilantro and green onion in the cream give flavor and a subtle green tint, while leaving extra fresh herbs to garnish keeps the bowls bright throughout the week.

   •   Store in airtight containers in the fridge; the bowls will hold for up to 6 days.

   •   Assemble fresh toppings at the time of eating for best flavor and appearance.



Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)

   •   Calories: ~355 kcal

   •   Protein: ~27 g

   •   Carbohydrates: ~43 g

   •   Fat: ~9 g

   •   Fiber: ~7–8 g


Nutrition estimates are based on standard ingredient data and intended for general guidance.