Greens, Greens and more Greens. Vegetables are so good for you and when we mention “greens” we are not just referring to vegetables that are green in color but as an umbrella term to mean all Vegetables. Since Vegetables are FREE on our lifestyle balance plan, we need to know how to prepare them, right? Here are some tips and suggestions for how you can eat your greens and enjoy them too!
Simply adding lime or lemon to your veggies after you steam them will add for great flavor.
Sauté veggies with your favorite herbs or seasonings. First start by sautéing them in oil (olive oil, sesame oil, avocado or my favorite coconut oil) then simply add the herb or seasoning of your choice. (basil, cayenne, oregano, thyme, etc).The different oils add such great flavor and sometimes don’t need much but if you want to add more flavors, here are a few suggestions.
*Olive oil goes great with Italian, Parsley, Basil, turmeric and/or garlic
*Sesame oil goes great with a thai seasoning or ginger
*Avocado & Coconut oil go great with literally just about anything but especially a touch of mint 🙂
Mix and sauté vegetables together. For example sauté zucchini, squash, mushrooms, onions and a tomato. Just the natural juices from the various vegetables add for delicious flavor!
Heat up any dish by dicing up a jalapeño and mixing it into your sauté.
Need a quick and easy, to to snack? Veggies are a great option! Slice up some celery, jicama, cucumbers or carrot sticks. (As a reminder, carrots are higher in sugar so eaten within moderation). Fresh cauliflower and broccoli florets are great snacks too. Need a little something to dip them in, use non fat greek yogurt or salsa as a great healthy dip!
Add fruit to your veggies or salads for added great flavor, touch of sweetness and added anti-oxidants. My favorite is to add fresh berries over the top of a beautiful bed of greens. Dicing up an apple and placing it over a chicken salad is divine too!
A great way to get your veggies in when it is cold outside is by simply adding them to a pot or crockpot of low sodium chicken broth. As easy as adding whatever vegetables you have available. The beauty of a vegetable soup is you can never go wrong, just throw in whatever you have, spice it up with whatever sounds good to you and it comes out delicious every time!
Ever thought about drinking your greens!? Juicing or blending your greens makes for a great on the go quick and easy Green Drink. Try this simple one as a start. Kale, Cucumbers, Celery, Mixed Berries, a carrot, and water. You can always sweeten your Green Drink with a touch of stevia for added delight!
Cooking options include, grilling, baking, sautéing, barbecuing, steaming or boiling. I love using the grill or broiler to lightly “toast” the outsides
Have fun with your vegetables. Come up with ways to have fun with their preparation. Ever thought bout stuffing them? My favorite vegetables to stuff are mushroom caps or Zucchini. Another fun option is to make shish kabobs. Lace any vegetable on a bamboo stick, coat with healthy oil and grill, bake or broil until tender.
There are so many ways to prepare your vegetables so start to experiment, find ways that serve you and the taste that keeps you coming back for more. Once you can master the “greens” you can master your lifestyle plan!