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The cold, short days of December can really affect my lifestyle if I let them. My three-times-a-day dog walks during the summer dwindle to just one or two because the mornings are too cold and the evenings are too dark. I really have to encourage myself to bundle up and at least take Chloe for an afternoon walk. And when 5 p.m. rolls around, the energy I have for strength training or a little bit of yoga just isn’t there like it is during the longer days of summer. So this week’s recipes are twofold: they’re cozy and easily made in one pot to satisfy the side of me that just wants to curl up on the couch at the end of the workday, but they’re alsohigh in protein(at least 15 grams per serving)to help fuelmore workouts and walks. If you, too, need a little extra motivation at this time of year, these recipes can help.Your Weekly PlanSunday:Skillet LasagnaMonday:Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Sauce)Tuesday:One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & SpinachWednesday:Creamy Chicken & MushroomsThursday:Chicken Chili VerdeFriday:One-Pot Pasta with TunaGet the Shopping ListOur column, ThePrep, has everything you’ll need to make meal planning and meal prep as easy as can be. Nutritional needs differ from one individual to another, and we invite you to use these dinner plans as inspiration and tweak them as you see fit.Sign upto get a meal plan delivered to your inbox every Saturday!

The cold, short days of December can really affect my lifestyle if I let them. My three-times-a-day dog walks during the summer dwindle to just one or two because the mornings are too cold and the evenings are too dark. I really have to encourage myself to bundle up and at least take Chloe for an afternoon walk. And when 5 p.m. rolls around, the energy I have for strength training or a little bit of yoga just isn’t there like it is during the longer days of summer. So this week’s recipes are twofold: they’re cozy and easily made in one pot to satisfy the side of me that just wants to curl up on the couch at the end of the workday, but they’re alsohigh in protein(at least 15 grams per serving)to help fuelmore workouts and walks. If you, too, need a little extra motivation at this time of year, these recipes can help.

Your Weekly Plan

Sunday:Skillet LasagnaMonday:Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Sauce)Tuesday:One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & SpinachWednesday:Creamy Chicken & MushroomsThursday:Chicken Chili VerdeFriday:One-Pot Pasta with Tuna

Get the Shopping List

Our column, ThePrep, has everything you’ll need to make meal planning and meal prep as easy as can be. Nutritional needs differ from one individual to another, and we invite you to use these dinner plans as inspiration and tweak them as you see fit.Sign upto get a meal plan delivered to your inbox every Saturday!

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Sunday: Skillet Lasagna

William Dickey

Skillet lasagna in a blue skillet, with two light yellow glasses in the background, as well as a plate with some of the lasagna on

View Recipe

02of 06Monday: Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Sauce)Often served for breakfast or brunch, shakshuka also makes a hearty dinner. It’s a flavorful combination of red bell peppers and tomatoes, seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika and crushed red pepper. Theeggsget poached right in the flavorful mixture. Serve it with some yogurt and warm pita to soak up the sauce and yolk.View Recipe

02of 06

Monday: Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Sauce)

Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Sauce)

Often served for breakfast or brunch, shakshuka also makes a hearty dinner. It’s a flavorful combination of red bell peppers and tomatoes, seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika and crushed red pepper. Theeggsget poached right in the flavorful mixture. Serve it with some yogurt and warm pita to soak up the sauce and yolk.

03of 06Tuesday: One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & SpinachPhotographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely, Food Stylist:Chelsea ZimmerWhenever you’re looking for a high-protein dish that’s also quick to make, a meal starringshrimpis a good choice. Just 3 ounces of shrimp has 20 grams of protein, and they cook in less than 5 minutes.Here they’re paired with lots of garlic and lemon and a whole pound ofspinach. I’ll spoon everything over some precooked basmati rice.View Recipe

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Tuesday: One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Spinach

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely, Food Stylist:Chelsea Zimmer

a recipe photo of the One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Spinach

Whenever you’re looking for a high-protein dish that’s also quick to make, a meal starringshrimpis a good choice. Just 3 ounces of shrimp has 20 grams of protein, and they cook in less than 5 minutes.Here they’re paired with lots of garlic and lemon and a whole pound ofspinach. I’ll spoon everything over some precooked basmati rice.

04of 06Wednesday: Creamy Chicken & MushroomsThis dish of chicken cutlets and any mix ofmushroomsyou like is incredibly cozy and comforting thanks to the light cream sauce.Chicken breastsare a great source of lean protein, and they’re also rich in nutrients like selenium, which is important for thyroid function, and potassium, which helps promote healthy blood pressure. Serve with whole-wheat sourdough bread to sop up every bit of the sauce.View Recipe

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Wednesday: Creamy Chicken & Mushrooms

Creamy Chicken & Mushrooms

This dish of chicken cutlets and any mix ofmushroomsyou like is incredibly cozy and comforting thanks to the light cream sauce.Chicken breastsare a great source of lean protein, and they’re also rich in nutrients like selenium, which is important for thyroid function, and potassium, which helps promote healthy blood pressure. Serve with whole-wheat sourdough bread to sop up every bit of the sauce.

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Thursday: Chicken Chili Verde

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06of 06Friday: One-Pot Pasta with TunaThis recipe proves thatcanned tunacan be transformed into an elegant dinner. After cooking whole-wheat spaghetti with olives and lemon zest and juice in a modest amount of water until it’s tender and saucy, you simply stir in two drained cans of tuna to warm through, along with dill and olive oil for flavor.View Recipe

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Friday: One-Pot Pasta with Tuna

One-Pot Pasta with Tuna

This recipe proves thatcanned tunacan be transformed into an elegant dinner. After cooking whole-wheat spaghetti with olives and lemon zest and juice in a modest amount of water until it’s tender and saucy, you simply stir in two drained cans of tuna to warm through, along with dill and olive oil for flavor.

I wish you all a great week, and I hope you enjoy this dinner plan. If you try a recipe, remember to add a review.

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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food Data Central.Crustaceans, shrimp, cooked.

Sources

EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food Data Central.Crustaceans, shrimp, cooked.

EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food Data Central.Crustaceans, shrimp, cooked.