Eat Your Veggies!

One of our first weeks of the CSA last year.

One of my biggest pet peeves is inviting someone to dinner only to find out that they're "not big on" vegetables.  Hmm.  Well, I'm not big on heart disease and other bad health conditions, so we eat ours here.  Vegetables are one of the best things you can provide for your body.  Fresh and frozen are best, but canned will work in a pinch (though you're getting significantly less nutrients).

Mediterranean tart: yellow squash, zucchini, red onions, tomatoes and goat cheese.

Did I grow up eating a lot of veggies?  Um... no.  Our general choices were either green beans or corn cooked, and raw we might have carrots and iceberg lettuce (which I find vile and would pour dressing all over).  We just didn't eat a lot of veggies.  G's family ate quite a bit more variety, but to be honest he generally hated what he ate (note: canned peas suck).  When we got married I decided that for our health we were going to try a variety and eat a variety.  And I love veggies now!  Squash is a huge winter staple because we can eat it cubed, shredded, and pureed into soup!

This was the beginning of the squash overload, with spaghetti, acorn and butternut squash.

The key is being an adult and making yourself eat something you might not have an acquired taste for.  Acquired is the key word there.  Within 20 times of trying something closer together in succession, you will gain a taste for it and even come to love it!  I used to think I hated cabbage, but now realize that cooked well, I will fight you for it!  Same goes for brussels sprouts, broccoli (which btw should be avoided raw since you're body can't break it down and you get very little nutrients... you need to at least steam it), beets, etc.

Pizza with zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant.

I'm still not a huge fan of eggplant, but I've found ways to work it into the diet.  Green bell peppers still seem off to me, but I usually make sure to eat them when offered.  And I absolutely am not a fan of beet greens, but in order to not waste them and their amazing nutrients I eat them.... covered in hot sauce like I would with other greens.  They're also good chopped and tossed into soup.

Roasted chicken with beets and beet greens!

I'm excited to have our child grow up only knowing to eat their vegetables.  I joked today that pregnancy has been the best "diet" ever as I've noticed my legs and arms are slimmer and that seeing as how I can see where my belly has extended, I think even my waistline will be smaller after I deliver.  Part of that has to do with my loss of appetite.  But even with my loss of appetite I made sure to take excellent care of myself.  Last night I had roasted chicken, roasted beets and some broccoli that needed to be eaten (that I roasted to make parts of it crisp).  I have a hard time getting enough protein in, and have to remind myself to do so, but am getting a ton of fruits, vegetables, and dairy in with healthy fats.

Roasted brussels sprouts

I don't think any of us sets out to eat ourselves to death, but even those at a healthy weight may be doing so.  You need to be conscious of the foods you eat in order to keep your body running strong.  Vegetables, supposed to be a huge part of your diet, are a good way to help get that done!

Roasted asparagus with mushrooms

Are there any vegetables you tend to avoid out of fear or dislike?  Maybe I can help you come up with a new way to try them!

Pumpkin and black bean soup!