I can’t be the only one constantly battling with herself to get more greens in her diet, right? I LOVE romaine lettuce, but it really takes a lot of thought and follow through to get other greens in my shopping cart. There’s nothing wrong with the average leafy green or any green, for that matter, but fresh veggies just don’t keep for very long and I never make a dish the day I originally plan for it.
So how do I get enough greens in each day? With more effort than I’d like to admit, but here we go:
Plan Ahead: I know I just said I’m bad at planning, but some degree is key here. What works for me is making a grocery list with everything I need for the week. If I try to “see what looks good” the answer is candy, yogurt, bananas, and some kind of fancy baked good — not exactly everything I need, right? We pick out 4 – 5 dinners to make and even if I don’t schedule them for a certain day, we always make an effort to prepare meals with delicate (i.e., most likely to go bad) veggies first
Make Greens More Than Salad: Ironic on a post for salad dressing, I know. Put veggies in your main dish, whether they’re the star or just snuck in where no one will see. Veggies are more likely to get eaten if they’re not just a cold salad or microwaved can of green beans. Greens are even more likely to get eaten if they taste like dessert. #science. Chocolate kale muffins, anyone?
Make `Em Convenient: Other than the fact that they’re delicious, I often eat sweets because they’re the most readily available thing I can find. Keep chopped broccoli and celery front and center in your fridge, and you’re more likely to grab that for a snack. Buy a green juice (like from my fav Evolution Fresh) when you’re on the road instead of getting a jumbo soda — they sell them at Starbucks, so no excuses.
Ultimate green-ception? Put greens on yo greens. I took one of my favorite juices from Evolution Fresh and turned it into a vinaigrette to go on our side salad one night (don’t worry, there were veggies in our main dish, too). Josh was soooo skeptical, but he ended up loving it, too. Any green juice will work — heck, even a sweeter juice would be fine– as long as it’s one you like! 
Thanks to Evolution Fresh for sponsoring this post as part of their Greens 101 campaign. All opinions are, as always, my own — you know I always love talking about vegetables 🙂
Tagged with: Corn Free • Dairy Free • Egg Free • Gluten Free • Hidden Fruit • Hidden Veggies • Nut Free • Soy Free • Vegan • Vegetarian
That is SUCH a great idea!! Turning green juice into green vinaigrette…way to get some extra greens in every bite!
I totally get you on the greens, I have started buying less at the green grocers and going back every 3 days to stop it going bad. It is funny though how I always go for the same ones, spinach is my favourite but i have to force myself to be more adventurous. I love the recipe by the way!