5 ways to sneak in those veggies

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.
                               - Doug Larson

There are 5 flavors in food: sweet, salty, savory, sour and bitter. Unfortunately most people's taste buds are less impressed with foods that are bitter, sorry VEGGIES.  Veggies are so vital to our health, yet their bitterness scares everyone away.  RUN! It's the dreaded broccoli monster! But we can absolutely put a stop to this unhealthy habit by being smarter than the veggies. 

We don't have to be stuck in the "old school" style of serving meals anymore; where all food groups are represented and separated.   You don't have to serve a burger with a side of broccoli or a pizza with a side salad.  Serving veggies just as a side dish usually isn't favorable for kids and even adults.  Let's face it, isn't the side veggie dish the last food group to be eaten by kids?  I think it's finally time for us to stop forcing our future generation and significant others to "Eat your veggies!"  Not only is this a burden on you and your family, but it could ultimately create a bad relationship with veggies overall.  Instead, let's embrace the fact that the main course is what everyone wants to eat!

Veggies are retiring from just being a side dish and have been promoted to the main course!   

​We can get lots of healthy nutrients in our bodies by cooking smarter, not harder.  Below are 5 ways to sneak veggies into your main course dishes at home. I have included some simple recipes too that you can use as practice with your family. Happy sneaking!

5 WAYS TO SNEAK IN THOSE VEGGIES

1.  PASTAS: Chop kale or spinach really small and put into either pasta sauces or pasta dishes such as spaghetti or macaroni and cheese. The chopped greens will appear almost as green sprinkles, not a bitter glob of green stuff. 

• Creamy Tomato and Kale Sausage Pasta
• Sourdough "Mac" and Cheese
• Lemon Pasta with Zucchini and Pecans
• Creamy Penne with Zucchini and Garbanzo Beans
• Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta

2.  PIZZA: Dice up any veggie until bite-sized and use as a pizza topping.  Veggies such as brussel sprouts, broccoli, peppers, kale and spinach make for tasty toppings when paired with lots of fresh mozzarella. 

• Buffalo Chicken Pizza
• ​Sausage and Asparagus Pizza 
• ​Pesto Asparagus Prosciutto Pizza 
• ​Chicken Sausage and Krispy Kale Pizza
• Bacon Brussel Sprout and Goat Cheese Pizza

3.  CONDIMENT: Replace iceberg lettuce (which has no nutritional value) in tacos, nachos, burgers, wraps and sandwiches with nutrient dense greens instead!  Some crunchy greens you could use instead are baby spinach, arugula, spring mix blends or bibb lettuce. 

• Chili Nacho Bowl
• Tacos 
• Chicken Chorizo Tacos

4.  MIX-INS: Mix in veggies with potato hashes, fritattas, casseroles and even waffles! 

• Buffalo Breakfast Hash
• Italian Sausage and Kale Breakfast Skillet
• Luck of the Irish Waffles
• ​Bacon Bacon Fritatta 
• Simple Crustless Quiche 
• Chicken and Kale Taco Bake
• Chicken Chorizo Enchiladas

5.  SMOOTHIES: Smoothies are probably the easiest way to hide veggies.  Add in spinach, kale, arugula, cucumber, and much more in with any protein smoothie for a filling meal or snack! 

• Balanced Protein Smoothie 

What's your favorite way to sneak in veggies?  Please share your ideas below!  


                                Always craving good food,
                                                    Jillian