15 Healthy High-Protein Recipes For A Stronger (And Well-Fed) You

Fun Cookie Cutters To Make Easy Christmas Cookies More Festive

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies (Gluten-Free)

With marshmallow and chocolate chunks and a pinch of cayenne pepper, these cookies are the sweet delicious kick we want in our holiday cookie. (via Real Food Dietitians)

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

Here's a healthy but just-as-delicious take on the classic Gingerbread cookie. Gingerbread cookie recipe is delicious and healthy. It’s also gluten free and dairy free with a fresh taste of ginger and molasses. (via Clean Cuisine)

Oreo Ornament Cookies

This no-bake cookie recipe is so easy and clever! Simply use Oreo cookies dipped in melted chocolate and then decorated with more chocolate, festive sprinkles and a Rolo candy to look like your ornament topper. (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookie

Turn your holiday candy canes into these chocolate cookies, dipped into melted chocolate, for a festive cookie everyone will love. (via Julia Frey of Vikalinka)

Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Drizzle your cookies with white chocolate and sprinkle sparkling sugar for a cookie party favorite. (via Completely Delicious)

Cranberry Christmas Cookies

You can make the cookie dough in this recipe ahead of time and freeze it to save you time during the Christmas rush. When you're ready for this baking recipe, just take them out of the freezer and arrange on a baking sheet. Fourteen minutes later, you'll be enjoying one of the best Christmas cookie recipes: warm cranberry white chocolate chunk cookies — filled with melty chocolate chips. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe

Is all that red and green cramping your style? Give typical holiday colors a break with these pink pastel ornament Christmas cookie idea, complete with crushed candy cane sprinkles. Eloise would definitely approve. (via Brit + Co)

Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookie Sandwiches with Raspberry Jam

These almond-flavored shortbread cookie sandwiches with raspberry jam and milk chocolate will be on your holiday cookie rotation for years to come. (via The Original Dish)

Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft and chewy and reminiscent of a cinnamon roll. OMG good! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Basic Gingerbread Cookies

This warmly spiced gingerbread cookie dough can act as a base for your favorite holiday shapes and decorations. Personally, we're suckers for this making snuggly sweaters with this easy Christmas cookie recipe. (via Brit + Co)

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Need a cup-shaped cookie to go with your steaming cup of hot cocoa? Try this frosted, easy holiday cookie recipe, made with store-bought ingredients. (via Brit + Co)

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Top these peppermint-infused sugar cookies with Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses for your next cookie exchange! (via This Wife Cooks)

Cardamom Butter Cookies

Perfect with a cup of hot cocoa, these cardamom cookies are melt in your mouth! (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies (Vegan)

These classic no-bake cookies are super simple and make tasty food gifts! (via Vanilla and Bean)

Marbled Shortbread Cookies

These buttery cookies with coffee caramel and topped with chocolate are a sweet tooth's dream. (via Woman Scribbles)

Italian Christmas Cookies

These cookies are infused with anise seeds and topped with colorful sprinkles for extra festive fun. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies with tart dried cranberries, a hint of fresh orange, and creamy white chocolate are a classic crowd pleaser! (via Two Peas and Their Pod)

Espresso Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Add a coffee-flavored twist on classic chocolate crinkles! (via Barley & Sage)

Chocolate-Glazed Polish Gingerbread

This recipe from the new cookbook Crumbs: Cookies & Sweets from Around the World by food writer Ben Mims was inspired by a cookie recipe from Poland.

Cinnamon Bun Palmiers

These crunchy, delicate, heart-shaped cookies come together with puff pastry, cream cheese, and a cinnamon sugar coating. (via Brit + Co)

White Chocolate Candy Cane Fortune Cookies

This lightly pink holiday cookie idea is homemade, but in a pinch, just stock up at a Chinese restaurant and dip in white chocolate and crushed candy canes at home. (via Brit + Co)

Best Cookie Christmas Trees

These fun Christmas cookies are sure to wow all your holiday guests, including Santa himself. Plus, it's awesome to add a twist to the Christmas cookie game with zero baking. (via Brit + Co)

Gingerbread Emoji Cookies

Express those fond holiday emotions not with words but with a custom-made emoji expression. (via Brit + Co)

Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies

The holidays can be nutty, but baking Christmas cookies definitely makes things better. These goodies can be rolled out, cut, and decorated to your liking. Plus it makes for a fun date night or girls' day activity. (via Brit + Co)

Animal Cracker Sugar Cookies

Though there aren't any animal crackers in the actual recipe, the addition of honey and oat flour will make you think otherwise. Use the dough for all of your fave rolled or cut cookies. (via Brit + Co)

Oreo Chocolate Christmas Cookie Recipe

Though you can make any cut-and-bake cookies with the chocolate dough, we're partial to using it for these edible hot cocoa mugs. They are finished off with a sprinkle rim, Rudolph face, and candy cane handle. They're so cute they can almost pass for the real thing! (via Brit + Co)

Peppermint Sandwich Easy Christmas Cookies

Who needs store-bought Oreos when you can impress your friends with the homemade version? We also think that the scalloped edges are the perfect finishing touch. (via Brit + Co)

Olde Fashioned Einkorn Gingerbread Cookies

These Christmas cookies can also double as cute decor, at least until they're all gobbled up. Add some powdered sugar before serving or add peppercorn eyes and buttons and bake until all the moisture is gone (around 10 minutes) to display them through the holiday. (via Calico and Twine)

Vegan Raspberry Almond Linzer Cookies

Not only are these cookies tasty but they're extra cute. The hearts are perfect for Valentine's Day but for the holiday season swap your cookie cutters for some Classic Holiday Cookie Cutters. (via Two Spoons)

Slice 'n' Bake Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies + Whipped Buttercream Frosting

It's just not the holiday season without frosted sugar Christmas cookies. Ditch the idea of a perfect cookie and instead, top yours with a fluffy buttercream and whimsical decorations. The messier the better! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Frosted Peppermint Brownie Cookies

Why choose between cookies and brownies if you don't have to? This hybrid is the best of both worlds, with a luscious peppermint frosting on top. It's the thing of our candy cane dreams! It's oh-so-tempting to serve these warm with ice cream in lieu of the frosting! (via Cooking Classy)

Toffee White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

Buttery toffee, smooth white chocolate, and rich macadamia nuts make these homemade Christmas cookies a natural pairing with hot chocolate. (via Lovely Little Kitchen)

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cookies

Any combo of cinnamon and sugar tastes like the holidays to us. This easy Christmas cookie is great for all kinds of gatherings and is plain enough that even picky eaters will want one. (via Cozy Cravings)

Eggnog Frosted Chai Snickerdoodle Snowmen

Just when you thought mini Reese's cups couldn't get any better, they make impressively convincing snowmen hats on these unique Christmas cookies. Don't forget to save a couple cups to snack on later! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Ginger Spiced Sugar Cookies

The trick in these cute Christmas cookies is making a depression in the cookies with the bottom of a glass before sticking them in the oven, so you can fill each one with as much icing as you like. Load 'em up! (via The View from Great Island)

Cinnamon Spiced Almond Sugar Cookies

These cookies are made with healthier ingredients (like coconut sugar, cinnamon, and almonds) and are also grain-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. That means you can gift them to pretty much everyone on your list. (via Cotter Crunch)

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Trees

If you're going to give your kids a cookie, you might as well hide a strawberry on top to balance it out. Dip the strawberry in green candy melts, add sprinkle ornaments, and let it fully harden before attaching it to the cookie with a blanket of white frosting snow. (via Lovely Little Kitchen)

Paleo Caramel Apple Gingersnaps

Gingerbread cookies are a mainstay of the easy holiday cookie table. This recipe is made healthier with dried apples, then drizzled with a paleo-friendly caramel sauce. (via Food Faith Fitness)

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Turn your favorite cup of cocoa into a festive + easy Christmas cookie with this recipe. This is definitely for the chocolate lovers out there — it's got double the chocolate and a cocoa powder topping for good measure. (via Amanda Wilens)

Eggnog Cookies

If you don't usually love eggnog, give this recipe a try before you write it off completely. There's only a touch of spice, but it's just enough to keep things interesting. (via Half Full)

No-Roll, Softbatch Sprinkles Cookies

If you love cookies but dread rolling out the dough and meticulously decorating them, use this recipe. The dough doesn't need to be rolled out before you form the cookies, and since the sprinkles go directly into the dough, the decorations are already done. (via Averie Cooks)

Chewy Molasses Cookies

Soft and chewy molasses cookies are a hallmark of the holidays. And unlike some, these don't need to be chilled before baking, so they can go from the bowl to the oven to your mouth in record time. (via A Cookie Named Desire)

Gluten-Free Chocolate Turtle Thumbprint Cookies

Chocolate, caramel, and nuts form the traditional turtle cookie — but these are a deliciously gluten-free version. (via The Skinny Fork)

Easiest Christmas Cookie: Whipped Shortbread

If you're more of a visual learner, follow along with the easiest Christmas cookie recipe of all, the whipped shortbread cookie.

Lemony Greens Soup

While a lot of seasonal soups can feel overly dense, this lemony greens soup is packed with plenty of nourishing veggies, lemon, and fresh dill. It gets a wonderful flavor boost from miso paste, proving that healthy recipes for weight loss can still taste great. (via Love and Lemons Every Day for Brit + Co)

Authentic Fattoush Salad

If weight loss is your goal, you really can't go wrong with a salad. Don't make the mistake of building yourself a bland bowl, though: follow this easy recipe for Fattoush Salad that's boosted with a variety of fresh veggies and crunchy, satisfying pita chips instead! (via Forks & Foliage for Brit + Co)

Grilled Harissa Shrimp with Chickpea-Dill Tomato Sauce

Protein lovers are gonna go crazy for this healthy shrimp dish. The best part is it only takes 30 minutes to prepare! Dinner is served. (via Brit + Co)

Simple Walnut-Crusted Salmon

Salmon is super nutritious – it's packed with omega 3's, which can help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and decrease your risk for disease. You'll get a nice dose of protein, too, which will help you feel fuller for longer. This fish is coated in a yummy, honey mustard-infused walnut crust that turns deliciously crispy after baking. (via 100 Days of Real Food for Brit + Co)

Farrotto with Butternut Squash

This vegan and vegetarian-friendly recipe deserves a spot in your weight loss meal plan. It's like your typical creamy risotto, but made with farro instead: a healthy grain that's loaded up with lotsa fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. (via Earthly Provisions)

Coconut Rice Veggie Bowls

Chances are, you've got a bag of jasmine rice sitting in your pantry right this very moment. Make use of it to craft these delicious rice bowls topped with green goodness. (via Completely Delicious)

Tofu Quinoa Stir Fry

This healthy recipe for weight loss swaps the typical rice for quinoa, and tofu for animal-based protein to make each bite a lil' bit lighter. It still tastes divine, plus it'll save you from a pricey takeout bill on the nights you really don't feel like cooking: it only takes 30 minutes to make! (via A Virtual Vegan)

Grilled Pesto Zucchini Stuffed with Tomatoes and Orzo

This Mediterranean-inspired dish has it all: healthy grains, fresh veg, and a huge punch of flavor, thanks to the pesto. It's a great way to make use of zucchini, especially in the summer when it's in season. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Vegan Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps of any kind make great healthy recipes for weight loss, but this cauliflower version really takes the cake since it's sheet pan-friendly and totally vegan. Def adding this one to our lunch repertoire! (via The Edgy Veg)

Vegan Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Searching for some good, no-cook healthy recipes for weight loss? Consider your search over. This nutritious chickpea salad – packed with Mediterranean flavors, no less – is a great dish for getting all your veggies in. It also holds up well as a meal prepped lunch! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Grilled Chili Peach Chicken

Prep this 10-minute chicken to add flavor to healthy wraps, salads, and grain bowls. The mix of sweet and savory is everything. (via Averie Cooks)

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

We're salivating just looking at this bowl of white chicken chili. There's truly no shortage of flavor in this protein-rich recipe! Plus, you have options: you can use the stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot to make it. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Warm Farro Kale Salad

Healthy veg? Check. Tangy feta? Check. Hearty dinner? Check. This is one of those salads that doesn't necessarily feel like a salad, since it's served warm and has plenty of ingredients to fill your tummy, like cauliflower, farro, and walnuts. (via Hello Little Home)

Turkey Hummus Wrap with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Got some leftover turkey from Thanksgiving? Use up what's left by making these easy, healthy, and delicious lunch wraps. With turkey and hummus, your meal will be bulked up with a good amount of protein to keep you feelin' full throughout the day. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Tortilla soup will never not be comforting AF. This iteration is super healthy since it calls for low-sodium chicken broth and tons of veg. You can easily use a rotisserie chicken for this to help speed up the cooking process. The best part? You're gonna have plenty of leftovers to eat on. (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Sweet Potato & Broccoli Rabe Sheet Pan Dinner with Ginger Peanut Sauce

Sheet pan meals are simply amazing, saving you considerable time prepping dinner (and cleaning up after it). We love how colorful this recipe is! The zingy ginger-peanut sauce truly makes it a standout in terms of healthy recipes for weight loss. (via The First Mess)

Kale Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts

Though you might feel a bit hesitant to start mixing in sweeter ingredients with something that's typically savory (like a salad), this dish packed with dried cranberries, candied walnuts, and tangy blue cheese will definitely change your mind. Load up a big bowl for yourself to soak in all the fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins it has to offer! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Teriyaki BBQ Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Because, truly, what's more fun than eating your dinner off of a stick? These shrimp skewers are light, yet flavorful. Pair 'em with some brown rice to incorporate a healthy grain and complete the meal. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Easy Japchae

Japchae (AKA Korean glass noodle stir fry) hosts a whole rainbow of veggies, protein-ful egg, and small pieces of tender beef to fill you up. With this recipe, you'll be cheffing it up just like your local takeout joint in no time. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Greek Chicken Bowls with Toasted Pearl Couscous

CAVA, who?! These Greek chicken bowls present some pretty hot competition for one of our fave food chains. They're healthy and filling, plus totally customizable in terms of the toppings. (via Barley & Sage)

Iris life changes forever when she meets Arthur in Los Angeles.

The premise of The Holiday movie is pretty simple: Iris and Amanda swap homes for two weeks over Christmas to avoid their disastrous love lives, unknowingly agreeing to an adventure that ultimately changes them — and their love lives — forever. (Oh what I wouldn't give to hop on a plane to Europe to avoid boys. What a dream). When she lands in Los Angeles, Iris is totally overwhelmed by Amanda's gorgeous home, the DVD setup, and gigantic bed, but the aspect of her holiday that really shines is her ability to connect with people.

We see Iris learn all of the gardeners' names (as well as the mailman's) barely a week after arriving, and when she notices Amanda's elderly neighbor Arthur walking alone, she immediately pulls over to help him find his house. (Also, sidebar: this scene always terrifies me because why is Arthur in the middle of the street?! Why aren't you on a side walk, A?!).

Iris helps Arthur home and takes a look around his living room (which boasts at least one Emmy and Academy Award each) before inviting him to have dinner with her and boom! The greatest relationship in the movie is born.

Arthur empowers Iris to be "the leading lady in her own life."

These two become fast friends, as Iris confides in him about her disastrous love life that very same night, and he offers her a beautiful piece of advice about acting like "the leading lady in your own life" (remember folks, this was decades before main character energy). Iris also reminds him just how much of a role he played in Hollywood by helping him prep for his Writers Guild of America gala with strength training so he can climb the stairs without his walker.

So though it's not romantic, Iris and Arthur's relationship is the true love story of The Holiday because of how much love and confidence they offer each other. Neither of them expect anything in return — they just enjoy being together.

And Iris gives Arthur his confidence back too!

Soon, it's time to head off to the WGA gala, and Arthur gives Iris a corsage, apologizing if it's corny or doesn't match her outfit. Iris declares she's "looking for corny," and it's such a small moment that really illustrates that the way they've empowered each other has changed their lives forever.

Iris helps Arthur feel sure of himself again, while Arthur's encouragement helps Iris find her power...and kick her ex Jasper out of her life forever! (Plus Arthur definitely picks up on the vibes between Iris and Miles during their Hanukkah dinner party. The ultimate wingman!).

When Iris and Arthur arrive at the WGA gala, and a sold-out crowd gives Arthur a standing ovation, it's clear he wasn't expecting so many people to care about his work. And in his overwhelming shock, he has Iris to lean on. Iris and Arthur don't only care about each other, they depend on each other, and their trust, love, and understanding is just the cherry on top. And sorry Jude Law, but I'll take that over romance any day.