vanillafluffy (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
vanillafluffy) wrote2011-01-11 07:57 pm
vanillafluffy) wrote2011-01-11 07:57 pm
Entry tags:
- diet,
- food,
- nyr,
- vegetables
Veggie Tales
One of my NYRs has been to consume some veggies every day. I'm keeping my definiton of "vegetables" broad---I imclude beans and V8 juice---and so far, I'm keeping up with it. (And for the record, Ruby Tuesday's grilled green beans are out of this world! They taste almost meaty; they definitely have more character than any green bean I've ever had before, including Cracker Barrel's "touch of bacon" beans.)
Tonight's dinner was half a bag of stir-fry snap bean medley (Great Value brand) over rice, dash of soy sauce. Yum. New year, new lifestyle (It's NOT a diet!), trying new things---yesterday, I sampled fried okra for the first time. Beats the hell out of boiled okra, is all I'm gonna say. There's yellow squash in the medley, I shut up and ate squash.
As I was forking up snap peas and rice and broccoli, I was thinking about the whole "diet" versus "lifestyle" ethos, and the thought popped into my head, "I have to spend the rest of my life eating this crap?!".
Because deep down, I'm not completely convinced that vegetables count as Real Food. Growing up, vegetables as a side accompanied Sunday dinner, but the rest of the week, er, no. It was eggs for breakfast, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch and a hamburger on bread for dinner most nights, except for Thursday, which was Aunt Mary's spaghetti night. Occasionally one of the 'rents would make stir-fry---they were into wok before wok was in---so I *did* develop a taste for bean sprouts and water chestnuts and the like. Those were exotic veggies, though, so they got a pass for novelty.
When my dad was working evenings, Mom would fix me a burger and herself a salad. She was always trying to lose weight, although I think the most she ever weighed was 160. Anyway, I got it into my head at a young age that that was a kind of self-denial---not something I've ever been good at. (We've already established my feelings on the subject of iceburg lettuce.)
In fact, I'd say I'm "self-taught" on a lot of vegetables. Two, for example, are spinach and mushrooms. My mother regarded spinach in any form as toxic; she was forced to consume it when she was a child in the children's home she was in, and she wouldn't have any form of it in the house. GK served a spinach salad at her bridesmaids' luncheon, and I discovered that fresh spinach is perfectly acceptable as an edible green leaf. The jury's still out on the boiled form.
Mom also had a neurosis about mushrooms. She cautioned me often never, never, EVER to eat any mushrooms that might have sprouted on the lawn, and like spinach, she wouldn't have them in the house. I finally had the spiphany that I'd never heard of *anyone* being poisoned by the mushrooms on a pizza. Because they're specially raised, domestic mushrooms. So yeah, sauteed mushrooms at a steakhouse? Hell yes!
Likewise, broccoli and cauliflower were things I wasn't made to eat as a kid. I'm not thrilled by either one, but I'll eat then. Ditto squash.
Green beans are nice, especially fresh, I love a *good* tomato, I'll entertain carrots raw or cooked, celery when I'm in the mood. Members of the onion family, particularly shallots and Vidalias. One of the things I like best about onions is their longevity, because it's shameful how often I've vowed to "clean up my act", bought a fridge full of veggies, which then sat there and rotted.
I just don't have a whole helluva lot of enthusiasm for most veggies. I know in theory they're good for me and all that happy crappy (and have I mentioned gas?! OMG!), and maybe when it gets to be summer and there's fresh stuff available and I can learn to cook it---maybe then I'll enjoy them, but at this point, all these veggies are underwhelming me.
Thoughts? Pep talks? Recipes?
.
Tonight's dinner was half a bag of stir-fry snap bean medley (Great Value brand) over rice, dash of soy sauce. Yum. New year, new lifestyle (It's NOT a diet!), trying new things---yesterday, I sampled fried okra for the first time. Beats the hell out of boiled okra, is all I'm gonna say. There's yellow squash in the medley, I shut up and ate squash.
As I was forking up snap peas and rice and broccoli, I was thinking about the whole "diet" versus "lifestyle" ethos, and the thought popped into my head, "I have to spend the rest of my life eating this crap?!".
Because deep down, I'm not completely convinced that vegetables count as Real Food. Growing up, vegetables as a side accompanied Sunday dinner, but the rest of the week, er, no. It was eggs for breakfast, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch and a hamburger on bread for dinner most nights, except for Thursday, which was Aunt Mary's spaghetti night. Occasionally one of the 'rents would make stir-fry---they were into wok before wok was in---so I *did* develop a taste for bean sprouts and water chestnuts and the like. Those were exotic veggies, though, so they got a pass for novelty.
When my dad was working evenings, Mom would fix me a burger and herself a salad. She was always trying to lose weight, although I think the most she ever weighed was 160. Anyway, I got it into my head at a young age that that was a kind of self-denial---not something I've ever been good at. (We've already established my feelings on the subject of iceburg lettuce.)
In fact, I'd say I'm "self-taught" on a lot of vegetables. Two, for example, are spinach and mushrooms. My mother regarded spinach in any form as toxic; she was forced to consume it when she was a child in the children's home she was in, and she wouldn't have any form of it in the house. GK served a spinach salad at her bridesmaids' luncheon, and I discovered that fresh spinach is perfectly acceptable as an edible green leaf. The jury's still out on the boiled form.
Mom also had a neurosis about mushrooms. She cautioned me often never, never, EVER to eat any mushrooms that might have sprouted on the lawn, and like spinach, she wouldn't have them in the house. I finally had the spiphany that I'd never heard of *anyone* being poisoned by the mushrooms on a pizza. Because they're specially raised, domestic mushrooms. So yeah, sauteed mushrooms at a steakhouse? Hell yes!
Likewise, broccoli and cauliflower were things I wasn't made to eat as a kid. I'm not thrilled by either one, but I'll eat then. Ditto squash.
Green beans are nice, especially fresh, I love a *good* tomato, I'll entertain carrots raw or cooked, celery when I'm in the mood. Members of the onion family, particularly shallots and Vidalias. One of the things I like best about onions is their longevity, because it's shameful how often I've vowed to "clean up my act", bought a fridge full of veggies, which then sat there and rotted.
I just don't have a whole helluva lot of enthusiasm for most veggies. I know in theory they're good for me and all that happy crappy (and have I mentioned gas?! OMG!), and maybe when it gets to be summer and there's fresh stuff available and I can learn to cook it---maybe then I'll enjoy them, but at this point, all these veggies are underwhelming me.
Thoughts? Pep talks? Recipes?
.
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I also saw where frozen veggies with sauce are still low in calories so I bought broccoli in cheese sauce as well as cauliflower. Not a fan of the cauliflower so thought this might help it go down. I have been doing the V8 low sodium in place of one Diet Coke. Not every day- I have to be in the mood.
Good luck! I've promised myself the same thing. Made a big salad last night to eat with the baked spaghetti I made. Hated to waste the left-over spaghetti!
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My favorite way to fix cauliflower is mock-mashed potatoes. Cook until soft. Sprinkle with a little garlic powder, add a bit of butter, and mash until smooth. The texture is a little grainy, but you can add some instant potatoes to make it smoother.
Plain black-eyed peas can be jazzed up with a Cajun or Mexican spice mix. They are also good with a litle ham or bacon chopped in them.
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Most things are better with bacon!
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http://e-fic.com/_fw/recipes.html
You can find my two favorites, in a more formal layout, with pictures and reviews here:
http://www.food.com/recipe-finder/all/subethjimbob
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BTW, has S sent you a FB friend request?
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As for the Spinach Casserole, the version at the second link is smaller (1/2 of the ingredients). However, as my sister and I can attest with great vigor, it's really good cold, too. ::grin::
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IKWYM. Even though she was coherent the last time I talked to her (I keep meaning to get the caller ID on computer pop-up), it seems like she only ever calls to boo-hoo in my ear. Yes, I know that sounds hard-hearted, but I never got any sympathy out of her when *I* was coming unglued. I'm tired of enabling her drama. Oh, and she also whines that you don't love her any more and she doesn't understand why you never call her or answer her messages. Have been very tempted to say it's because you don't want to deal with her shit any more than I do, but I don't want to stir that particular pot.
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Some stuff, it just depends what it's in. I love sauerkraut, and chinese cabbage in stir-fry, but I think cole slaw is an abomination.
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Sauerkraut is the ONLY way I'll eat cabbage. And that sweet potato dish with the marshmallow smeared all over it? *throws up in my mouth* GROSS! Cole slaw I can take or leave (mostly leave).
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When it came to veggies, his mom was a ferocious gardner; she was always sending me home with produce.
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We had big gardens growing up, and I love most vegetables, but won't eat the ones that were forced on us meal after meal as children -- namely field peas and creamed corn. *shudder*
I like to fix a big plate of steamed veggies (frozen is fine) and eat it with rice and just a smidge of soy sauce. I buy several kinds of bagged frozen veggies and mix them together in a big Ziploc to get exactly what I like. A cup of that, a cup of brown rice, and a salmon patty, and that's great eating. :)
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- Bright colored veggies (and fruits) are your friend.
- Steer clear of corn, potatoes, white veggies, white rice, and sweet potatoes. They have the highest starch and sugar content. Brown rice has a slight nutty flavor. Both 'Minute Rice' and 'Uncle Ben's' have quick cooking brown rice.
- Spinach is a great substitute for lettuce in salads and sandwiches.
- Another good veggie for sandwiches is bagged salads. The "Baby Spring Mix" is really good with chicken or ham on Sour Dough or Whole Wheat.
- Speaking of bagged salads, they are a great way to turn a small portion of meat into a satisfying meal. Dice a chicken thigh, toss with a cup or so of salad mix, drizzled lightly with dressing and you're done.
- Don't overcook veggies. I was used to having them boiled to death. They are best served al dente. Cook them just until you can poke them easily with fork. I throw a cup of those Great Value mixed veggies in the microwave for 3-5 minutes and they're done.
- When cooking rice or potatoes, add a bit of canned chicken broth to the water.
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Also, a can of diced tomatoes and a can of beans added to a skillet of group beef is pretty darn tasty and will probably stretch for a day or two. Drain the deef first!
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I use Advanced Enzyme Optima by Rainbow Light. They're the same enzymes your body uses for digestion. You can get them on Amazon. A bit expensive, so I don't take them with every meal (which they suggest). I take one in the morning. If I eat a lot of veggies, rich foods, overeat, or have a touch of indigestion, I take another.
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Hard to beat lovely, freshly cooked carrots though - peeled, sliced, put in a little cold water with a small dollop of butter and a teaspoon of sugar, brought to the boil, then allowed to simmer for between 10 and 15 minutes depending on how big the chunks of carrot are. You do have to watch them because if they run out of water they'll stick and burn, but they seriously don't take much time.
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Right now, what I really need is to clear out my fridge so I can make room for more fresh veggies.
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