Everybody wants to eat healthy but somehow, it is still hard to do. We all know that we should be eating fresh veggies and drinking plenty of water, so what is the problem? Why can’t we just DO IT?
I think one reason folks are having a hard time eating healthy is lack of motivation. I ate healthier for several months last year, but then got lazy and started eating like a slob. If you don’t have someone holding you accountable or keeping you on track, it can be easy to lose your momentum when the going gets rough.
In the past year I’ve gotten pretty good at doing things that are not fun; working weird hours in an office, being away from my wife and son for long stretches, not exercising or showering as often as I should… and now it is time to flip the script. I am tackling a tough workout regimen (Hillbilly Hot Laps anyone?), eating more veggies than ever before, and making all of this even more fun by playing with my food!
I got the idea for this last year when I was making some guacamole and instead of cutting up a bunch of tomatoes, I cut up a hot pepper. When you mix it in with all the other ingredients, your mouth gets blasted by flavor (good flavor) and it is awesome!
Well today I got thinking about what other ways I could blend my love of gaming with food. I’ve been doing a lot more cooking lately, and as much as I enjoyed it before, now there is an added thrill when you create something new in the kitchen.
I give you the following recipes for my favorite food (veggies – I’m a veggie-burger kind of guy) with a twist. Are they tasty? I think so, but that’s just one man’s opinion. They are fun though and if getting your daily serving of veggies in the most interesting way possible doesn’t motivate you to eat healthier, I don’t know what will. Try these out and let me know how they work for you!
My main recipe:
Ingredients:
Zucchini, Cucumber, Carrots, Red/Yellow/Green Peppers (whatever strikes your fancy), Okra, Basil Leaves.
Step 1: Cut a Zucchini in half lengthwise.
Step 2: On one half only, cut off the top 1/4 of the zuchinni so it is a flat surface. Using this as your base, start cutting diagonal lines toward the center but not all the way through. Stop about 1″ from the center, creating an inside out zucchini fan.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, toss your ‘fanned’ zucchini with salt and let it sit for 10 minutes or so to draw out juice.
Step 4: Wring the juice out of the zuchinni (line a colander with paper towels and grab handfuls over the sink then squeeze out the liquid) and combine with other veggies in a large bowl.
Step 5: Add your favorite salad dressing (balsamic is always good). If you do not have any on hand, make a quick dressing by combining chopped basil leaves with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Step 6: Mix it all together and serve!
My second favorite recipe:
Ingredients:
Ground beef (enough to cover the bottom of a skillet)
Step 1: Brown ground beef in an iron skillet
Step 2: Add spices/sauce like taco seasoning or sauce of your choice. If you do not have any on hand, try mixing some chopped basil leaves with a jar of spaghetti sauce.
Step 3: Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, then add your veggies (green beans, chopped carrots, or zucchini are always good).
Step 4: Mix it all together and serve!
Another recipe I use all the time:
Ingredients:
– Large head of broccoli
– 1 red bell pepper, diced (use all colors if you have them!)
Step 1: Chop up your broccoli and boil it until tender. You may need to add a small amount of water to make sure it doesn’t stick. Once boiled, let it cool.
Step 2: Mix your veggies in a large bowl. If you do not have red bell pepper on hand, try using 1/2 a jalapeno to give it some kick!
Step 3: Add your favorite dressing and mix well. Salt and pepper to taste. Note* – use balsamic vinegar if you want it sweet or apple cider vinegar for more of a kick.
Step 4: Serve!
