Serve Healthy Vegetable Entrees

Monday, March 23, 2009 by: Sheryl Walters
Tags: vegetables, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Vegetables are always an excellent food choice for people who are trying to lose weight. Most vegetables are high in fiber, but have few calories. That makes them filling but body-friendly. There are many kinds of vegetables that can be a main dish. Different ways of preparing them will surely tempt your taste buds.

Use seasonal vegetables to create a fresh vegetable plate fit for royalty.
A roasted potato and corn on the cob, green beans dressed with apple cider vinegar and oil, sliced tomatoes, steamed broccoli with baby carrots, steamed fresh sliced beets, fresh peas dressed with rice vinegar and mint - all make lovely dishes for a vegetable meal. Fresh jicama strips with strawberries and melon balls provide an interesting dessert.

Coat red pepper and zucchini strips with olive oil and grill. Herbs such as fennel and oregano really make the flavor pop. Tarragon is good also, and of course, garlic.

For an interesting salad lunch combine a variety of greens with garbanzo beans, corn, peas, halved cherry tomatoes, cubed cooked yams and jicama. Radishes, black olives, pimento, chopped beets, chopped green onions, chopped green and red peppers, a little cilantro and fresh sprouts will add to the fun. Throw in your favorite seeds or nuts and sprinkle wheat germ on top. Use your imagination in the dressing. Raspberry balsamic vinaigrette or a mixture of vinegar, oil, honey and lemon are tasty. A bran muffin makes an excellent side, or serve in whole wheat pitas. You could even add elbow macaroni and toss with French dressing.

Portobello mushrooms have a great texture and taste and can be more than four inches in diameter. Use one for a burger-style sandwich to replace the meat. Grill for about five minutes on each side to make a delicious mushroom sandwich with a large salad and your favorite condiments. The flavor can be brightened by seasoning with olive oil, onion, garlic and a dash of salt and pepper before cooking.

Mashed sweet potatoes will make an alternative to regular potatoes, which can cause raised blood sugar. Serve with asparagus, artichokes, peppers, tomatoes, onions and eggplant mixed with olive oil.

Mix your vegetables with fruit and blend for a breakfast smoothie. Let your imagination be your guide. Fresh apples, carrots, beets and strawberries are quite delicious together. Melon with mint, green beans and yams can be blended together. Try whatever seems like it will work. Serve in a fancy glass and feel special as you sip in the sunlit morning on your patio or balcony. There is no end to the delightful and tasty dishes to be made with assorted vegetables, both cooked and raw. If you plant your own garden, you'll have fresh produce at little cost and lots of exercise thrown in for free. When you include fruits in the mix, you will find yourself with enough different dishes to never get bored.

Sources:

Newall, C.A., Anderson, L.A., & Phillipson, J.D. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals, The Pharmaceutical Press, London.

Wood, Rebecca. 1988. The Whole Foods Encyclopedia. Prentice-Hall Press; New York, NY.
Ensminger AH, Ensminger, ME, et al. 1983. Foods & Nutriton Encyclopedia. Pegus Press, Clovis, California.

About the author

Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner.
Her website www.younglivingguide.com provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous. You can also find some of the most powerful super foods on the planet including raw chocolate, purple corn, and many others.