DailySpark’s Learn to Luv Veggies Challenge

on September 28, 2009

If you missed the recap, I ran a 15K Race on Saturday!

Good morning! Today is shaping up to be a busy day. I have to work (I’m on-call until Friday), prepare for a meeting with my publisher for the Operation Beautiful book, go to Physics class and lab, and hopefully find time to squeeze in a run.

Breakfast got me going!

The star was Zesty Carrot Juice! I have finally perfected the recipe:

1 cup organic carrot juice
3/4 cup apple juice
1 tablespoon pureed ginger
juice of 1 lime
juice of 1/2 lemon

Shake or blend the drink and enjoy! Here are my favorite brands to use for Zesty Carrot Juice:

I also had a Bialy with real cream cheese (yum!).

And a side of cantaloupe:

Learn to Luv Veggies Challenge

Stephanie from the DailySpark promptly e-mailed me after reading my "I Hate Vegetables" confession. "No veggie goes uneaten in my presence," she declared. "It is my personal mission to teach everyone to love vegetables!" She proposed a Learn to Luv Veggies Challenge.

If you recall, I don’t really "get along" with vegetables. This is why I eat so many vegetables in smoothie/drink form. To me, veggies are kind of like your best friend’s obnoxious boyfriend. Out of respect, you pretend like you like him and even invite him places, but really — you think he sucks.

But, with the help of DailySpark, I’m turning over a new (spinach) leaf. Look — Me and Eggplant, hanging out like old pals:

BFFs forever.

The Learn to Luv Veggies Challenge consists of 5 days of pure veggie love, starting today!

Stephanie emailed me a list of ways to learn to love veggies:

Add olive oil/lemon/garlic: Sautéing garlic in a bit of olive oil and adding lemon zest and juice really brings out great flavor.
Change the texture: Changing the way you cut vegetable can affect how they taste.
Try Roasting: This technique works for any root vegetable: potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, carrots, butternut and acorn squash, even radishes. You can also roast broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, okra, and peppers.
Use "Cream" sauce: Make your ordinary steamed vegetables a bit more decadent with a bit creaminess.
Create "Pancakes" or quiches/frittatas: Because — let’s face it– everything tastes better in pancake form.
Apply Low-calorie flavor boosters: Try adding lemon juice, capers, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes!
Get saucy: Top your vegetables with your favorite sauces.

I am MORE than ready to learn to love vegetables — truly love them, not just eat them because I "should." I’ll explore each of these techniques a little more each day.

Stay tuned for lunch… I have some veggie-rific meals planned!

{ 59 comments }

Paige@ Running Around Normal September 28, 2009, 4:45 am
Bahaha – I love it – hanging out with the eggplant like old friends. Love the obnoxious boyfriend analogy, too.

Those veffie tips are great! That first one sounds delicious. I'm gonna try that.
shawna (Balancing Me) September 28, 2009, 5:02 am
Yum, I love my veggies! Can't wait to see how you incorporate them into your meals this week!
Lizzy September 28, 2009, 5:08 am
mmmm veggies 🙂

i'm interested to find out all the super recipes that you'll be using! I have a feeling there going to be awesome! 🙂
Abby (Nibble, Nourish, Run) September 28, 2009, 5:10 am
I LOVE that you're learning to luv veggies! I went through the same thing a few years ago – had to experiment with a lot of different methods to figure out how to get more greens in my life…but now I can't get enough! Can't wait to see how this week's challenge goes!
christie, honoring health September 28, 2009, 5:15 am
Yum, can't wait to see what you do with your veggies. I need some ideas!

What are the advantages of drinking the carrot juice? I notice it has ginger in it which I know helps with inflammation and digestion but what about the other ingredients?
Erica September 28, 2009, 5:15 am
Congrats on the race girl! That is super exciting. Good luck with the veggie loving. I guess I'm an odd ball in that I love them as is plain! But your new ways to make them more awesome- sound perfect
kasondra September 28, 2009, 5:17 am
you and i could definitely help each other out because i really need to work hard to eat LESS veggies!!!. haha
Sara September 28, 2009, 5:21 am
Great ideas for learning to like veggies! This summer I got my dad to eat eggplant, the only eggplant dish he had ever tasted was eggplant parmesan. I made a skillet of eggplant with garlic and tomatoes, he liked it. Good Luck.
VeggieGirl September 28, 2009, 5:22 am
Good luck with the busyness and enjoy those vegetables!! 🙂
Whitney @ Lettuce Love September 28, 2009, 5:26 am
Enjoy those veggies! They really can be your bff too!
Ali September 28, 2009, 5:29 am
I happen to love veggies. I actually haven't met one I don't like, so I can't really relate, but I really hope that you learn to love them too!!!!

I look forward to seeing how you use them and how it works out!
maria September 28, 2009, 5:32 am
OOOH! I want to join your challenge. I have a hard time eating enough vegetables. I totally loved your analogy because that is how I feel most of the time! 🙂
Marisa (Trim The Fat) September 28, 2009, 5:35 am
You can do it, Caitlin! Veggies are soooo lovable =)
Newly and Forever, Tamantha September 28, 2009, 5:45 am
Good for you…there is hope! I am finding that things I used to hate are suddenly sounding and tasting sooo good. It's wierd, but it can happen!
Jessica September 28, 2009, 5:46 am
I totally need to try this since I also don't like veggies!
Aoife B September 28, 2009, 5:54 am
Good luck with learning to love veggies 🙂 I've found that the more you eat them the more you get used to them, then before you know it, you love 'em! I used to hate peppers (capsicums) and now they're top of my veggie list…!

Roasting veggies is fab especially in winter – red onion, peppers, carrots, parsnips, all drizzled in a little olive oil and a small bit of honey = delicious!!

You can even make healthy pizzas with a wholemeal/spelt base, and LOADS of roasted veggies, and spinach/greens, with a little cheese if you want, all on a homemade tomato base…you won't look back 😉
cookinfanatic September 28, 2009, 5:55 am
I am looking forward to reading about this veggie challenge – I totally agree with all those techniques to make veggie eating more appealing. I personally love most all veggies, however my boyfriend does not so I have gotten really creative in how I serve them & still keep them healthful (i.e. not drowned in cheese)… he says he eats more veggies now than he ever has in his whole life! 🙂
Sarah September 28, 2009, 6:02 am
I am not cauliflowers biggest fan. At least I wasn't til last night…my parents made me roasted cauliflower. It's amazing. All u do iis slice the florets 1/4 " thick, toss with evoo salt pepper. Roast in a single layer at 425 for about 20-30 mins. Flip halfway through. VoilÃ tasty roasted cauliflower. Should be brown on some edges.

1 head cauliflower will serve 2 people. Mom said it's tough to slice cauliflower so it may take practice. Sometimes it can be crumbly?

Hubby doesn't like cauliflower either but I am so addi g to my grocerylistfor next week!!!! It's that good!!!
Sarah September 28, 2009, 6:03 am
I need to join this challenge…I'm totally a fruit person. I gotta show those veggies some love!
jennieinwonderland September 28, 2009, 6:06 am
I need to join this challenge. I have a hate relationship with most veggies {besides sugar snap peas!} because I just… DO. They are not my friends.

So maybe this challenge is a good idea…
MelissaNibbles September 28, 2009, 6:07 am
I like to make fake mac & cheese using cauliflower in place of pasta. It's very good and a great way to get your veggies!
Good luck Caitlin!
Mara @ What's For Dinner? September 28, 2009, 6:07 am
The fiance used to HATE vegetables. That is, until I started making fritattas with them, and now? Loves them! The roasting hint is great even for things like broccoli 🙂
Niki September 28, 2009, 6:09 am
I am not a veggie fan either! Looking forward to seeing how you prepare them this week!
seesaraheat September 28, 2009, 6:10 am
Good luck with your veggie challenge! I may take some of those tips to use on my husband — his veggies consist of potatoes and corn, haha. Have a great day!
MJ September 28, 2009, 6:22 am
The carrot juice looks great! I'll definitely be trying it out!
abbynormally September 28, 2009, 6:23 am
hahah! I love your description of vegetables as your best friend's annoying boyfriend. Yea, it's definitely true! Except green pepper. I love green pepper! Good luck with the challenge, I'm cheering for you!!
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) September 28, 2009, 6:23 am
I am interested to see what you do with your veggies this week. I love to add sauces to my veggies – one of my favorite ways to fix broccoli is to cook it just a bit soft and top it with pasta sauce and parm. Asparagus is delicious with a little lemon-butter sauce and sea salt. Marinated, grilled broccoli is also divine with balsamic, soy sauce, and olive oil – YUM! I don't know about you – but I love a ratatouilee. 🙂
greensandjeans September 28, 2009, 6:24 am
I happen to love veggies, but I am pretty sure eggplant and I will never hang out like old friends (mushrooms and eggplant are the only ones I just cannot do). Good luck!
recipesforcreativity September 28, 2009, 6:31 am
Cool! I'm so excited you're going to do a variety of things with your veggies this week, it will be fun to see what you're doing.

Have a good day!
Jolene - EverydayFoodie September 28, 2009, 6:35 am
I am excited to see how the veggie challenge goes! I have never met a veggie that I wasn't instantly BFFs with 🙂
jac September 28, 2009, 6:42 am
i think brinjal is the one vge i can't live without! Yum!!
Rosey Rebecca September 28, 2009, 6:47 am
Now I just want a big bowl of veggies. Haha I love that you called them your best friend's obnoxious boyfriend. You're too funny@
Megan @ Megzz Wins At Life September 28, 2009, 6:49 am
I love veggies!! I am excited to see the meals you come up with while incorporating your veggies!!
Nicci@NiftyEats September 28, 2009, 6:52 am
I love my veggies, but I will use this challenge to make suRe I eat more veggies daily.
Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance September 28, 2009, 6:55 am
What a great challenge!!! I myself have loved veggies since I was a kid and ate them raw & in frozen form back then. Now I love to cook with them when my budget & time allow. I bought some aspargus, corn on the cob and tons of stuff for salads this weekend….I typically get most of my veggies in "salads"! I love salads, the bigger the better! =) Laura
http://findingahealthybalance.wordpress.com/
Kelly September 28, 2009, 6:56 am
I love this challenge! You can do it Caitlin!
Meg September 28, 2009, 7:00 am
Oh, I totally needed this challenge. I hate veggies too. I try to eat them because I know the health benefits are awesome. But, yeah, your comparison to your best friend's obnxious boyfriend is spot on.

Must learn to love veggies. Gah.
Meg C. September 28, 2009, 7:00 am
haha i love your veggie analogy with the friend's boyfriend you hate. i think it's also like your aunt's husband who you don't like, but you know have to spend time with and be nice to.

I don't like veggies much either, and usually just stick to the ones I can tolerate best. And put cheese on!
Jenna September 28, 2009, 7:02 am
i love your comparison to veggies to your best friend's boyfriend! haha.
good luck this week with veggies 🙂
jenna
carascravings September 28, 2009, 7:07 am
Embrace the veggies, they will love you for it 🙂
Leah @ L4L September 28, 2009, 7:18 am
I am a HUGE fan of the roasted veggie. It's my fav. I like to do agave, lemon juice, salt and pepper on pretty much anything. Good luck!

PS – Any word on you moving over to wordpress?!
runninghealthy September 28, 2009, 7:24 am
i think we all perfectly understand the obnoxious boyfriend analogy :). I can't wait to see what you are going to go with all of those vegetables! One of my favorite things to do is make a "hobo-packet"; fashion a square packet out of aluminum foil and fill it will all kinds of chopped veggies (squash, zuchinni, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, etc), spinkle with olive oil, salt and hernds and then put it in the oven on 375 for one hour. Delicious and easy!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point September 28, 2009, 7:26 am
christie – i dont know why exactly zesty carrot juice rocks (besides eyesight?), i just adapted the recipe from a juicing book.

leah – AHHH dont get me started. sometime soon, hopefully. we are having technical difficulties
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) September 28, 2009, 7:39 am
I love veggies but I am excited to learn how I can love them even more!
Food Makes Fun Fuel September 28, 2009, 7:45 am
Carrot juice is definitely a staple in my fridge. It has more potassium than a banana. I don't know why everyone's on a coconut milk kick these days when the simple carrot goes unnoticed
Amanda September 28, 2009, 7:51 am
hi Caitlin,

This is sort of a delayed comment, because I don't check your posts on the weekend. But as for quick meals – do you guys have a slow-cooker? I LOVE mine. It takes 20 minutes in the AM to put something in it, then it cooks all day and is ready when I get home. Also, it always makes enough for 2 dinners (and sometimes a lunch) for my husband and I and leftovers REALLY help when you are super busy.

I made a red beans and rice dish last week and this week I am making a veggie stew from Real Simple.

Hope this helps!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point September 28, 2009, 7:53 am
Amanda I do have a slow cooker but I stopped using it when we became vegetarians. I need to figure out how to make veggie meals with it!
skinnyrunner September 28, 2009, 8:13 am
can't wait to see your future veggie meals… i always need more ideas for them!
peanutbutterbliss September 28, 2009, 8:17 am
oh goodness this post cracked me up with the obnoxious boyfriend analogy.

I personally love veggies. Weird, but I know im not a normal teen. I find that I like them steam/roasted more than raw. (especially broccoli/brussels sprouts)
brandi September 28, 2009, 8:31 am
that carrot juice sounds awesome!

I love roasting veggies. so, so good.
Susan September 28, 2009, 8:39 am
Ha, not loving veggies is definitely not a problem of mine! In fact, I often get intense cravings for them!

Oh, and thanks for finally sharing the successful zesty juice recipe! I'm gonna try it! 🙂
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) September 28, 2009, 9:03 am
Haha I took the same photo with my eggplant last week!! Look: http://www.livelaugheat.com/2009/09/20/reunited/

LOVE IT!!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale September 28, 2009, 10:43 am
Lemon juice makes a huge difference to me – it really makes veggies (esp. green beans, asparagus, broccoli) delicious.

Also, try garlic salt! Just a little goes a long way to veggie love…
Kiersten September 28, 2009, 11:48 am
I eat crazy amounts of veggies. If you ever want any veggie-heavy recipes I'll be happy to pass some along.

Definitely try roasting your veggies. Veggies taste SO much better roasted. (Broccoli, potatoes, and winter squash are my favorites) Another easy way to eat veggies is to put them in soups, stews, and pasta sauces.
Courtney September 28, 2009, 1:01 pm
First off, I absolutely love Spark People and have been a member for about 2 years! I'm so excited you are teaming up with them! They are great advocates of healthy living.
Good luck with the veggie challenge!

Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
april September 28, 2009, 1:36 pm
There's one reason why I can eat 5 or 6 cups of broccoli at a time.. Braggs Liquid Amino Acids. Seriously it makes everything taste amazing!
Erin September 28, 2009, 8:08 pm
Hey Caitlin – Here is a veggie lover recipe: chop a head of broccoli into bite size pieces. heat up a tbsp of olive oil. add broccoli, 1 tsp of garlic, a drizzle of soy sauce and 1/3 cup of water. stir to mix it up. cover and cook for 5-6 min until the broccoli is tender. so good.
Easy Losing Weight September 28, 2009, 11:16 pm
Awesome snacks! I need to eat more cantaloupe.
mrtexas January 7, 2010, 2:24 pm
Great stuff. Keep it going; you go girl! Good luck

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