When our daughters were younger, I was a bit obsessed with their diet – just a wee-bit. Every so often, they’ll remind me of when I overdid the spinach in their morning smoothie, which seriously backfired! Since one of them (not mentioning any names) refused to eat smoothies for another decade. Luckily, they’re all rather impressive veggie eaters!
I’ve since eased my veggie fixation with age (and wisdom) but, not entirely! I’m always looking for ways to get more plants into our diet with ease. I can’t help myself – veggies pack a powerful disease-fighting punch! So, if you’re like me, keep reading and discover three ways to sneak in more veggies (for those veggie-resistant peeps you love!)
I’m always looking for ways to get more plants into our diet with ease. I can’t help myself – veggies pack a powerful disease-fighting punch!
CAULIFLOWER RICE
I recently purchased @monadolgov’s Satisfy cookbook. It’s a gem for those wanting to eat more plants (but not exclusively!) Mona reminded me about the beauty of cauliflower rice – a great source of fiber that mixes well with brown rice. I buy it in the frozen section at Costco and add a bag to every batch of rice we make. Bingo, so easy! Plus, you can’t taste it! On several occasions, dinner guests have asked what’s the secret ingredient in our rice. LOL. Answer: veggies!!!
The beauty of cauliflower rice: a great source of fiber that mixes well with brown rice.
ZOODLES
Like cauliflower rice, zoodles – spiralized zucchini – is a great way to lighten up on the grain-heavy carbs while adding more veggies to your plate. Catherine, our beloved nanny who helped us raise our three girls for eleven years, was the Zoodle Queen! Somehow our daughters never resisted spaghetti with zoodles when Catherine made them!
If your veggie-resistant peeps revolt, try mixing ½ zoodles with ½ regular pasta. Like cauliflower rice, there’s not a significant change in taste. WARNING: Unlike cauliflower rice, prepackaged frozen zoodles become a lump of mush. I highly recommend buying this spiralizer and taking the extra 5 minutes to zoodle your own way!
Like cauliflower rice, zoodles – spiralized zucchini – is a great way to lighten up on the grain-heavy carbs while adding more veggies to your plate.
PLANT-BASED SHAKE
I used to blend up morning smoothies for the family. When I overdid the spinach, and it backfired with refusal, I tried to disguise the taste of the greens by adding more fruit. Unfortunately, my smoothies became too fruit-sugar-heavy. So now, we drink plant-based shakes that include nutrients sourced from legumes and organic veggies like sweet potato, spinach, sunflower seed, shiitake mushroom, maitake mushroom, chlorella, broccoli, pumpkin, and kelp. Of course, if I blended all those whole foods up in a blender, it would taste awful! But these shakes taste amazing with only 1 gram of added sugar!
Our plant-based shakes are tasty blended with just water and ice. But, each family member has a unique twist that makes it more delicious for them – for example, adding 2 Tbs of PBfit powdered peanut butter for a hint of nuttiness. Adding ¼ of a frozen avocado or a ¼ of a frozen banana for creaminess. You can replace water with unsweetened vanilla almond milk or add a Tbs of non-dairy creamer (nutpods caramel is a favorite.) The best way is your way. Get creative and keep shaking it up, so you never get bored! WARNING: It can take time with kids. Patience and persistence win the game. It’s worth it. We all need more veggies!
I’m always looking for ways to get more plants into our diet with ease! Veggies are packed with disease-fighting phytonutrients, antioxidants and loaded with enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and fiber! Plus, vegetables, especially greens, are the most alkalizing foods you can eat to keep the pH of your blood neutral (between 7.34 and 7.45) so your body functions correctly (and delivers oxygen to your cells – slightly important!) Never give up! Keep discovering new ways to sneak in more veggies (especially for those veggie-resistant peeps you love!)
#WeAreInThisTogether for #HealthyChange
Feel Better, Be Better!
P.S. Another Mama shared she mixes these Organic Greens into her spaghetti sauce. I haven’t tried that one yet, but smart-thinking!
About the Author: Dr. Sue
Sue McCreadie, MD (aka Dr. Sue), is a Pediatric Physician and Breakthrough Coach for Midlife Mamas. For over two decades, she’s helped thousands achieve vibrant health as a wellness expert. Bringing three daughters into this world, she lost four along the way, and crossed the pregnancy finish line a digestive–hormonal–emotional mess. But, over the following decade, she found a deeper meaning for miscarriages, reclaimed vibrant health, and grew emotional resiliency. Dr. Sue is obsessed with living her soulFULL purpose and helping other growth-minded Mamas do the same. She believes we are in this together to rise up, realize our dreams, and feel fulfilled in every facet of our lives.