Fruit & Vegetables, Got a Recipe to eat more ?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Haven't been to a McDonald's in 30 years.

In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times I've set foot in a McDonald's or eaten their product.

[puckluck]

I hope one day I can make that same statement. I'll probably be dead from a heart attack before that though.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by wpgflamesfan

Generally trying to lose weight involves some sort of exercise and protein aids in the recovery process of your muscles. So yeah this is good advice.

Good advice? He gave it blindly. It cannot be good. Protein supplements are probably one of the most over-prescribed aids in weight loss.

1) Most people, especially casual exercisers, do not need extra protein in their diet.
2) Protein powder is relatively expensive.
3) It ends up being just easy added calories.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

As a former big fat fatty and now only just a fatty I have to disagree with you on this one Reg ol' boy. Healthy habits are tough for some, they get easier as you do them, but buying a bag of gummy bears is so much easier for me then buying a bag of broccoli. I go for the broccoli now, but it wasn't easy.

Yeah, maybe, but with the latter you got all of CP supporting, and that has to be worth something. Effin' kill that . I (we) know you can!

[Reggie Dunlop]

Healthy food is actually more delicious than unhealthy food. True story.

[worth]

Maybe i'm lucky, or just weird, but I love eating raw vegetables. I would rather eat them raw than cooked. I eat a lot of carrots, cucumber, celery, tomatoes etc. raw every day. Delicious.

[WilsonFourTwo]

^^Ditto

For about the last year, my three favorite snack foods are Celery, a freshly peeled carrot, or Cucumber (usually soaked in vinegar and sprinkled with pepper). My Lord.....good stuff!

As for OP's original question, I suggest a simple vegetable soup (Beef broth). Prep takes 30 minutes, and then it cooks for 45-60. The best part is you can totally mix and match the stuff you like. Typically, for me.....

3 x Celery stalks
3 x Carrots (large)
1 x Yellow Onion (large)
1 x Cup of Lentils of Barely (optional)
1 x Medium potato (optional, but recommended)
1 x Garlic clove
1 x Handful of peas ~1/2 cup?
1 x Container of Beef Broth (FYI, check labels. Some have WAY more salt than others. You want beef flavor, not salt, lol)

1. Put the the Celery, Carrots, Potato, Onion and Garlic into a pan (med-low heat) for about 10 minutes. They will start to soften and brown.

2. Put those veggies into a large pot, along with everything else. Add water in a 1-to-1 ratio with the broth (for 1L of broth, add 1L of water).

3. Bring to a good steady boil.

4. Add a teaspoon of Worchester (if you have it).

5. Turn the heat down to a modest simmer (25% heat?) with the lid on slightly askew.

6. 45 minutes later, eat.


This should make 4-6 sizeable servings. Once it cools, I put the stuff in those Glad containers and take them to work for lunch. They'll last (refrigerated) for a week without any issue.

[red sky]

We have had similar threads before and I think I gave the same suggestion last time. Replace those chips with cucumbers and dip them in salsa! Even cucumber sprinkled with black pepper is really tasty.

[Pinner]

Wilson, you soak vegies in vinegar ?

Soup is a good way to get vegies, I love soup.

I eat healthy, just not enough. She wants me to eat 4 cups of vegies a day, apparently it helps blood pressure and cholesterol among other things.

[DuffMan]

I eat an orange every morning, an apple every afternoon, and carrots and celery every lunch. When I say every, I mean m - f. weekends are mostly just beer.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

I eat an orange every morning, an apple every afternoon, and carrots and celery every lunch. When I say every, I mean m - f. weekends are mostly just barley juice.

fyp

[scotty2hotty]

Obviously the best way is to consume actual food. But if you've go the coin ... why not supplement with one of the following:

http://greensplus.com/index.php/cPath/84_21_23

http://myvega.com/products/whole-foo...tures-benefits

[valo403]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

Good advice? He gave it blindly. It cannot be good. Protein supplements are probably one of the most over-prescribed aids in weight loss.

1) Most people, especially casual exercisers, do not need extra protein in their diet.
2) Protein powder is relatively expensive.
3) It ends up being just easy added calories.

Unless your dumping protein powder into things and not altering portion sizes to account for it it can be a great benefit even without exercise in that it leaves you feeling full longer. A hanful of berries and some ice can make a good smoothie, but it won't hold you over from 8 until lunch. Add a scoop of protein powder and it likely will. That's a major benefit for people who are looking to cut out fast food and other garbage, the between meals hunger is easily filled by reaching for a bag of chips.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by puckluck

If by addressed you mean being made fun of then yes

My lifestyle is pretty healthy. I'm pretty active and in shape, but I can't stop eating fast food. I've never been addicted to anything in my life other than fast-food. I feel helpless. If quitting smoking is as hard as this then huge props to people who quit smoking.

I understand your pain ther puckluck. Although I'm not addicted to fast food, and I usually have it like maybe once a month or so, nothing beats a nice, greasy burger with fries and washed down with a refreshing cold drink. Because I know its bad for me health wise, I try not to eat it that often. But make no mistake, I do have cravings for it sometimes.

A lot of people say fast food tastes like garbage, but I'm not one to be picky on food. I just don't fully appreciate good food. Some people spend a ton of money going out to nice restaurants and having great food. But to me, it all tastes about the same. I've had hundred dollar meals before, and everytime, I'm thinking "man, what a waste. I could have gotten the same enjoyment out of a MacDonalds meal, and used the 90 bucks to buy a couple of PS3 games".

[dre]

Originally Posted by valo403

Unless your dumping protein powder into things and not altering portion sizes to account for it it can be a great benefit even without exercise in that it leaves you feeling full longer. A hanful of berries and some ice can make a good smoothie, but it won't hold you over from 8 until lunch. Add a scoop of protein powder and it likely will. That's a major benefit for people who are looking to cut out fast food and other garbage, the between meals hunger is easily filled by reaching for a bag of chips.

I add plain yogurt to my smoothie, but before a workout I usually add protein powder with the yogurt.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Pinner

Wilson, you soak vegies in vinegar ?

Soup is a good way to get vegies, I love soup.

I eat healthy, just not enough. She wants me to eat 4 cups of vegies a day, apparently it helps blood pressure and cholesterol among other things.

I only soak cucumber slices in vinegar. They are awesome after about 5-10 minutes. They make a terrific green side dish as well.

I started making soups a couple years ago, purely as a way to get more veggies. When you make your own, you have a real appreciation for just how much of the best stuff is in a meal. It's a great reward and truly give you the incentive to keep at it.

Beyond all that.....soup is so cheap. I can make a solid meal (good soup, nice bread, simple desert) for 6 people for about $10. A good soup recipe is the one thing that every person should have in their 'Home Economics Arsenal'.

[scotty2hotty]

Another thing I forgot ... trying adding spinach to your smoothie!

Seriously, I put about a 2 cups of water in a blender and fill the whole thing to the top with baby spinach. Once blended, I add fruit, protein, etc. to the mix.

It sounds disgusting, but honestly try it .... a fantastic way to get a tonne of green, leafy veg into your diet. It gives the smoothie a bit of an odd texture, but honestly, has no taste.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I understand your pain ther puckluck. Although I'm not addicted to fast food, and I usually have it like maybe once a month or so, nothing beats a nice, greasy burger with fries and washed down with a refreshing cold drink. Because I know its bad for me health wise, I try not to eat it that often. But make no mistake, I do have cravings for it sometimes.

yesterday the company beside ours had a big bbq for all their employees, so from about 9am I could smell the bbq wafting into our building. I had an A&W burger for lunch for the first time in a long time, and while it satisfied my immediate needs, I probably won't have another one for awhile.

[troutman]

It is tough for single people to get their fruits and veggies. Produce goes bad before you can eat it.

[red sky]

Speaking of blending, I have really been toying with the idea of purchasing a Vitamix blender that you see at Costco every once and a while. I have a cheap Black & Decker blender that takes 10 minutes and a knife to blend ice and was thinking of just splurging on one of the higher end blenders. Any recommendations or opinions on the Vitamix or its competitors?