So many times in trying to live a healthier life, it is easy to get caught up in elimination. Get rid of sugar. Stop eating processed foods. No more desserts. You get the picture.
Through personal experience I’ve learned restrictive behavior is counterproductive. Tell me I can’t have chips and salsa and I will fixate on it… clearly. Isn’t it always my example of my splurge food? Yum. However, adding things in- now that I can do. Drink more water. Take more steps. Eat more plants!
I sometimes make it a little game in my head; how can I add a vegetable? Take yesterday’s WIAW for example…
2 eggs scrambled with asparagus, mushrooms and feta, topped with sriracha. Pear on the side.
Veggies – 2 (asparagus, mushrooms) Fruits- 1(pear)
It held me through 3.4 miles at the gym. I still haven’t signed up for the 10k yet. Hmmm…
Brown rice and sautéed kale with chickpeas, cashews, feta and balsamic dressing.
Veggie- 1(kale)
My lunches are usually split. I have half a lunch with Hailey around 11:30 (above) and another one when she does, after nap, at 2:30ish.
Leftover cashew chicken over brown rice. I added peas for an extra pop of green nutrition.
veggies- 4 (peas, asparagus, red pepper, green onion)
Yesterday I went for a husband-pleasing dinner and enlisted the help of my crockpot to make simple pulled pork BBQ.
Pulled pork on a whole wheat bun with pickles. Carrots, ranch and a Sam Adams on the side.
veggies- 1 (carrots)
I totally could have added spinach to my sandwich, but missed that one. Oh well, it was still a very veggie day.
Asparagus
Mushrooms
Kale
Peas
Red Peppers
Onions
Carrots
Pear (ok, it’s a fruit)
You can file this under #weirdstuffIdo. Please tell me I’m not alone!
How do you add more vegetables into your meals?
She Rocks Fitness says
All looks fabulous, especially breakfast! I love sriracha sauce I put it on almost everything. 🙂 I do think it is best on scrambled eggs. Have a beautiful day!
Sherry says
If you cooked for me everyday, I could be much healthier. It all looks delicious!
Hanna says
I’m always looking for ways to add veggies into our meals, especially for my girls. I get a little intimidated by cooking veggies. I’d like to venture out and try new ones instead of always serving my family steamed broccoli, sauteed green beans, salad…. I should make it more of a challenge and it would be more exciting. And I’ve never thought about putting asparagus in with my eggs! Yum!
Brittany says
Some vegetables intimidate me, too, but try roasting root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots or brussels sprouts. Roasting is a surefire way to end up with a delicious veggie 🙂
Melissa says
You make a good point. It is easier, and feels better, to add in more good things than to restrict the “bad” things. I don’t always follow this mindset, but I know that if I do fill up on lots of fruits and veggies, I am far less likely to feel the desire to munch on junk. I’ll keep that in mind as I’m off to make breakfast. 🙂
Paulina says
Looks good! I have an off topic question for you, if that’s ok. I’m planning a trip to Charleston for Memorial weekend and wondered if you could recommend a place to stay? My husband and I are leaving my munchkin with my parents for the weekend, so it doesn’t have to be kid-friendly.
Brittany says
Oh my gosh, so exciting! It really depends on what you want to do. If you are looking forward to the beach, I’d stay on Sullivan’s Island or Isle of Palms and go into Charleston for dinner (only 15 minutes away). If you are more looking forward to tours and exploring, stay anyway near market street and you’ll be able to walk wherever you want to go. Christina (hungrymeetshealthy.com) lives in Charleston and probably has some great suggestions of restaurants!
Erin @Axell's Kitchen says
I add tons of veggies to my smoothies so that I don’t have to worry to much about getting them the rest of the day!
blackhuff says
How long does your gym allow you to run on the treadmill? Ours only have a 20 minute limit which sucks. But understand why they do it.
I have veggies with all my meals except for breakfast. My snacks also have veggies (and fruit) in them.
Brittany says
My gym allows 30 minutes when people are waiting, but they have a good number of machines, so usually no one is waiting and I can go longer. 20 minutes doesn’t seem like nearly long enough. That’s tough!
Kim @ Cooking in the City says
Oh, I totally play that game. My favorite way is to keep frozen veggies on hand- spinach and pepper strips are good ones. Then I put them into anything. Sometimes I have to exercise restraint and remind myself that its perfectly fine to have plain old pasta and sauce every once and awhile.
Brittany says
Haha, I feel the same way with plain pasta. Should I wilt spinach into it? Add roasted veggies?! But yes, sometimes plain old pasta is great 🙂
Emily S says
Healthy stir “fries” are my fave. love adding lots of veggies and using quinoa. As a recovering veggie “hater”, I find I need to mix my veggies with something to truly enjoy them.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Everything looks great! I’m always looking for ways to sneak veggies into foods too. Like you said, it’s like a game for me. 🙂 The more produce the better!
christina says
That cashew chicken looks so good!!! I’ve been trying to add more veggies to my diet too. It’s not as hard as you’d think! I can’t wait for my CSA to start so it’s even easier.
Kelli H says
Your eats look very healthy and tasty! I’m so glad you liked the cashew chicken. Good call on adding the peas. I add peas to lots of the curries I make.
Brittany says
It was delish! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jen says
Agree that adding is better than taking foods away. This coming from a girl who gave up backed goods for Lent, and all I can think about are cupcakes!
Go sign up for the 10k!
Sarah@ making thyme for health says
I think this is a great habit to have! Being a vegetarian, I am pretty much programmed to eat veggies so I don’t count them but I am always looking for ways to eliminate sugar (my vice) and add protein. Your lunch looked awesome and healthy!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
You meals are so balanced – love it! I love spinach in my smoothies, veggies with eggs, stir-frys, random bowls of quinoa, veggies, tofu, etc. And now, there are so many ways to incorporate certain vegetables into desserts too. Whatever works, right?!
Deirdre says
great positive attitude about what nourishes the body and what we can have- i love it…happy wiaw 🙂
Lauren B. says
Usually for lunch each day, I make a ginormous salad that includes all of the veggies I have hanging around in the fridge. Sometimes I eat it right out of the mixing bowl because its too big for the plate! I’d say that meal alone probably hits all of my veg requirements, but I still love snacking on them and including them in other meals as well. I don’t do as well in fruits though…
All of your eats look so delicious and fancy!
Brittany says
They only look fancy because I was taking pictures. Usually I’m like you and eat things right out of the bowl! 🙂
Haley @ The Saucy Apple says
Yes, I totally agree with you. I love the mentality of adding and not taking away when it comes to food. Add the healthy and still keep those special treats. 🙂 It’s a win-win.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Love the chickpea and cashew rice! I have more of a problem reducing my veggies in my meals, I always have eyes bigger than my belly!
Karen says
Everything looks good! I try to incorporate more veggies in the eggs, smoothies (usually kale, spinach & carrots) and salads as well as on burgers or chicken sandwiches.
Alexis says
Love your meals! Look really tasty.
Maria says
Wait. Aren’t pickles technically a veggie? Haha. Oh the silly stuff I tell myself.
I try to eat a lot of salads, but to be honest, they don’t thrill me, so soups are where it’s at. Even in the summer, a big pot of beef veggie soup is the easiest way for me to down veggies. I was juicing for a while with my blender + a strainer and I need to get back to that. It made me feel so good!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
Looks delicious! I feel like I eat a good amount of veggies but if I’m lacking I’ll toss some in a green smoothie or snack on carrots and celery. Obsessed with carrot sticks right now! Speaking of… time for lunch, carrot sticks it is!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, and Beers says
Mmmm, crockpot bbq is the best! Great eats girl, and I’m right there with ya on the whole deprivation thing.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I hate to say it, but veggies usually drive my meals! I tend to build around THEM. However, I’m trying to refocus and get a bit more balanced with grains and proteins.
Court Star @ StarSystemz says
I split my lunch up as well. I never feel totally hungry at 11:30-12 so splitting it into twos and of course adding more greens as you do is the perfect option! I do the same thing like for instance today I had a chicken taco salad at lunch finished the chicken but not the beans so guess what the side dish for dinner is tonight 😉 What recipe did you use for the slow cooker pork? I love a good slow cooking recipe (this girls BFF) Hope you have a great rest of your week Love + Shine CourtStar
Brittany says
I used this “recipe” – http://www.ahealthysliceoflife.com/recipes/?recipe_id=6017199
Which is so easy it’s sad … and wonderful 😉
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Nice job on the veggies!! I love them :). Is it weird that I crave them??
Liz @ iheartvegetables says
I try to sneak them in whenever I can, because they help fill me up! I love carrot “chips” (aka carrots that are cut into chips) and I’ll snack on those in the afternoon if I’m lacking in the veggie department!
Sarah says
I’m definitely the queen of adding spinach to everything- my husband makes fun of me for it. But it’s easy and doesn’t usually affect the flavor too much. I add it to red sauce all the time.
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Awesome post 🙂
I love sneaking healthy foods into meals as well.
Neil Butterfield says
Great strategy Brittany, add something instead of removing it. Give the body what it needs and it is less likely to crave the junk.