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Healthy meals may not sound like the most appetizing thing to have on your to-do list, but when you look at new ways to prepare family favorites, boring doesn’t have to be at the top of the list.

Here are a few recipes that might just spark a healthier frame of mind for you and your family – some old favorites reimagined and some new ways to prepare favorite foods.

Salmon is usually available at the grocery store and if you time your trip right, you may even find a filet or two discounted giving you a new option at a great price.

Salmon in Foil with Asparagus

2 salmon filets

2 tbsp. vegetable or chicken broth

1 1/2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp. hot sauce

4 cloves minced garlic

3 to 4 tbsp. butter, diced into small pieces

2 tbsp. fresh parsley

1 lb. medium asparagus, trimmed

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut two shees of heavy-duty foil to 14×13-inch pieces. In a small bowl, combine the broth, lemon juice and hot sauce. Place salmon on foil near the center and season with salt and pepper. Lay the trimmed asparagus to one side of the salmon. Sprinkle garlic over all and drizzle the butter mixture over the packet. Divide the butter pieces between the two foil packets and wrap the packets being sure to crimp the edges together. Don’t wrap it too tight as the fish will need a little space for the heat to circulate properly. Transfer the packets to a baking sheet and bake for about 9 to 12 minutes. Unwrap the packets and drizzle on more lemon juice if desired and garnish with parsley.

If fish isn’t your thing, there are some ways to prepare chicken that makes it anything but bland. And, since this dish is prepared in packets as well, it couldn’t be easier to control portions.

Pineapple BBQ Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

2 cups pineapple chunks

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

Salt and pepper to taste

for the sauce:

1/2 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite bottled sauce is fine)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 2/ tsp. paprika

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 jalapeno, sliced

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. dried oregano

Chopped cilantro, to taste

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lay four pieces of foil (12×12-inches) on the counter. Place the pineapple chunks and bell pepper in the center of each piece of foil. Season with salt and pepper and lay a chicken breast on top of each mound of peppers and pineapple. Salt and pepper the chicken as well. In a bowl, prepare the sauce by combining the barbecue sauce, oil, paprika, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, cilantro and jalapeno slices. Divide the sauce evenly over each chicken breast and sprinkle with additional cilantro if desired. Foil the foil over each breast being sure to crimp the edges well to avoid spillage as it cooks. Transfer the packets to a baking sheet and bake in the pre-heated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Unwrap the packets and drizzle on more sauce and broil for another two minutes or until the chicken becomes crispy.

Here’s to a healthy 2021.