The hardest part of transitioning to any diet is finding food that you can enjoy, sometimes you just want all things greasy, fatty, and sugary sweet. Now while I don’t think there is a such thing as “bad foods”, I do think it’s important to provide your body with as much nutrients as possible.

My trick to doing just that is putting a fresh spin on the food I enjoy, so tonight’s dinner was inspired by a Philly Cheesesteak. Now I know there is nothing like a real cheesesteak but if you don’t live in Philly or just want to whip up something quick for dinner, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients:

• 1 green pepper
• 1 small yellow onion
• 8oz package of baby bella mushrooms
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 slices of pepper jack cheese* (see edit)
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese* (see edit)
• 1 hoagie or Portuguese roll
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

Process:

1. Heat oven to 350F.
2. Slice onions, green pepper and mushrooms into thin slices and set aside in a bowl. Mince garlic and set aside on plate.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to bowl and season with liquid smoke, seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic, onion and chili powder. Use hands to ensure veggies are coated well with seasonings and oil.
4. Heat skillet on stove with remaining oil and add veggies when skillet is hot. Sautés veggies until tender and for the last few minutes of cooking add garlic. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
5. Slice hoagie roll or Portuguese roll and place in oven with 2 slices of pepper jack cheese on on one side of roll.
6. Toast roll until toasted to your liking.
7. Remove roll from oven and add veggies to roll.
8. Add shredded cheddar cheese and pop back in oven for a minute or so to allow cheese to melt.
9. Remove from oven and slice in half.
10. EAT!!!!

Remember good food doesn’t have taste bad or be boring. You can put a healthy twist on just about anything, just be sure to season well and don’t be afraid to try something new. Let me know if you decided to give this recipe a try.

Happy eating!

Edit: You can add more or less veggies or swap the veggies in this recipe with anything you like including tomatoes and lettuce. Also, the cheese in the recipe can easily swapped out for vegan cheese if your heart desires. (I’m not completely sold on the vegan cheese yet).