You read about it, see it on the net, on TV, Dr. Oz pretty much never stops talking about it, but doing it is a whole other thing.
You always have the good intention to add those extra veggies to your daily routine, but life gets busy, complicated, and sometimes you forget.
We all need simplicity in our lives, so I’ve compiled 5 easy ways for you to get more veggies into your daily diet…they’re easy and tasty and before you know it you’ll be giving Dr. Oz the ‘nod’ because you’re doing it right.
1. Add some green to your morning. Who likes mornings? If you raised your hand, you’re in the minority. You get up, get ready, rush, rush, rush. Sometimes you don’t have time, or frankly the brain power that early, to get in a full breakfast…that’s where smoothies come in. They’re easy, fast, delicious and a smart way to sneak some extra veggies into the start of your day. Add a handful of kale or spinach to your fruit smoothie, I guarantee you won’t taste it due to the sweetness of the fruit.
2. Roast ’em up. Steamed veggies are great, they retain their nutrients much more than if you boil them, but have you tried roasting them? It brings a brand new world of taste sensations to the table. That little bit of crispness, touch of sweetness that comes out with roasting, will elevate your everyday zucchini or eggplant to a whole new level.
3. Juice anyone? Juicing is the hottest thing, and has been for years. Investing in a good juicer is not a frivolity, it’s a necessity if you want to make great tasting veggie drinks that boost your energy and keep you healthy. There are so many benefits of juicing, one being the satisfaction you feel as you take a big swig of your colorful concoction because you know you’re doing your body good.
Looking for recipes? Grab your copy of my Cancer Prehab 101: Juices and Smoothies ebook…the link is at the top of this page on the right.
4. Toss them in. Omelets and stir-fries are an excellent way to bump up your veggie intake. Toss in some chopped up peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes with your eggs, or be adventurous and add some Swiss chard or bok choy to your stir-fry. A whole load of vegetables with some lean protein and an amazing meal awaits you.
5. Please sir, can I have some more? Soup is the perfect way to pack those vegetables in. A rainbow of fresh or frozen veggies added to a low-sodium, low-fat stock, where you can even toss in a handful of whole wheat pasta and some cooked chicken breast for some extra bulk, and a warm, satisfying lunch or dinner is done…and don’t forget about leftovers, which means you don’t have to cook again…yeah!
Here’s a great recipe using vegetables that you can work into your repertoire. It’s easy and yummy!
Roasted Chicken with Veggies
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken pieces
- 1 each green & red pepper cut into rings
- 2 zucchini cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 med onions cut into 4 wedges each
- 4 small potatoes halved
- 4 carrots cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 celery ribs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Line a 9×13 inch shallow roasting pan with heavy duty foil.
- Arrange chicken, peppers, zucchini, onions, potatoes, carrots and celery on the foil.
- Pour tomatoes over and season with salt, pepper and paprika.
- Cover pan with foil and cook for 1 hour or until vegetables are tender.
- Lift foil and baste with juices. Continue roasting uncovered for 45 minutes longer, or until chicken is tender and browned.
Enjoy!
Cheryl Wahl, RHN, Personal Trainer
North Shore Nutrition
