Goodness know's why it's so much easier to do the things that are bad for us. Like one of my favorite Rufus Wainwright songs says "Everything it seems I like's a little bit sweeter/ A little bit fatter/ A little bit harmful for me". So what you've got to do is find tricks and ways to make it easier to put your health first. One of the easiest ways is to eat more vegetables, but that alone can seem hard for the human brain, which scientists are finding is programmed to choose the easiest ways to do things (such as grab a box of cookies when hungry).Here are my favorite ways to maximize your veg intake with minimal effort:1. Get them in at breakfast!
For me, vegetables sometime seem out of place at the breakfast table, but that's not so. Add some chopped peppers & onions to your scrambled eggs. Or top your toast with arugula & a poached egg. (And yes, that egg yolk was actually that bright!)2. Prep your veggies before you're hungryTry to always have a container of carrot sticks & celery in your fridge. Easy fresh snacking! If you don't like celery swap it for, my favorite, cucumber!
3. Hide your veggiesNo, not under the bed! Hide them in your food! This is especially handy if you have picky eaters at your house. Peas are great in pasta; corn & fresh spinach are delicious additions to soup. I grate zucchini (my husband hates it) and add it to pasta, dips (like the one shown above), etc.4. Buy in-seasonFor some reason, a lot of people think fresh produce is only for rich people. Those people have never priced a pound of carrots. They're like under a $1 all year long! If you get sick of carrots though, use this Peak-Season Map to find out what produce is at its peak (and cheapest) in your area. Even if it says there isn't anything, just look at California, Florida, or Texas to see what in-season produce will be on its way to your grocery store.
5. Stock your brain with veggie-centric recipesSearch for vegetarian or vegetable-based recipes. You can always add meat if you want!
Here are some recipes to get you started:Power SaladEmerald City Bean SpreadVeggie WrapsEasy Beans & RiceSpicy Pasta with Sardines & Kale♠
