Playing the Field

Photo by mckaysavage

Vegetables.
We know they’re good for us, but we’re not eating them.

According to recent studies, the average American’s daily caloric intake consists of one to one-half servings of vegetables per day.
51 percent of our diets come from processed foods and 42 percent from meat, eggs, or dairy.

The other 7 percent is vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Seven percent!

According to the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, the four most consumed plant foods (fruits or vegetables) in America are: French fries, ketchup, pizza sauce and iceberg lettuce. Terrible. So why do most people struggle to get their 5 servings a day? Researchers believe past experiences with vegetables may affect how we feel about them now.

Do you remember those dreadful evenings at the dinner table as a child when you were forced to eat your entire plate of lima beans or whatever vegetable you couldn’t stand? This is probably one memory most of us have in common. I remember being very creative with my excuses. During one of my anti-veggie protests, I pretended to be nauseous as reason to go to the bathroom. I quietly opened the medicine cabinet, pulled out the mercury thermometer and heated the silver tip briefly with a lighter. I immediately ran to my mom and showed it to her. I was sick and should be excused from the table! I’ll never forget what happened next. Mom stared at the thermometer, looked up at me, and then her face turned bright red. In almost a whisper, she said, “Shut up, go sit back down and eat your vegetables!” As I stormed back in the kitchen she delivered the final blow, “If your fever were really over 108 degrees F, you’d be dead”. Plot foiled!

Broccoli was my veggie of choice as a child, and that was because it was one of my father’s favorites. If you have children who love vegetables, you know how lucky you are. Normally children and vegetables don’t mix. It’s an age old battle.

Despite my childhood dislike for vegetables, I’m proud to announce that I’m now a hard core Veggie Head. Vegetables are always the largest portion on my plate – the one thing I cannot go without. They kick ass! I LOVE my greens and usually have them 2 – 3 times a day. These days, breakfast begins with a blended smoothie. A mix of cucumber and celery juice blended with kale, chard, spinach or other leafy green. I also add Spirulina, Tocotrienols, and Bee Pollen. From there, the creativity begins with whatever else I want to add in an attempt to create magic with my Vita-mix!

I find fruits and vegetables absolutely fascinating. I’m on a first name basis with the staff at my local markets and can be found literally sniffing around their produce on a daily basis. I refuse to buy any produce prepackaged because I find joy in choosing the perfect pieces. The process is very intimate for me and I want to touch and smell each one. There has to be a connection! I could spend hours at a farmers market and during the spring, summer and fall months, I do just that. I run to my local farmers market on Saturday mornings, as soon as they open – not even a hangover can keep me away.

Although my loyalty runs deep, when it comes to my vegetables…I prefer to play the field. I’m curious by nature and I have too much love to go around! Once a particular veggie has my attention, I want to immerse myself in everything it has to offer, experimenting with different preparation and cooking techniques. Our time is always short-lived, and with admiration and respect, I then move on to the next vegetable on my list, usually something I’ve been “eyeing” for awhile. This could be a veggie I’ve already tried before, or something new. The experience itself always feels different to me. I guess I should say…my love changes with each meal and with each season.

Most people I know don’t eat enough vegetables, or fail to eat a wide variety. Variety is the key to a healthy diet. Here are a few simple tips for those struggling in the veggie department:

Go ahead, have an affair! Avoid eating the same options over and over again. There are tons of veggies (and fruits) out there you’ve never heard of, seen or tried before. You are really missing out. Get out there and play the field! David Wolfe (one of my favorite raw foodies) stated that we could taste a new plant based food everyday for the rest of our lives and still not come close to trying 1% of what’s available to us on earth!

Avoid taking vows and believe in second chances.Too many people use the words “always” and “never” when it comes to their food. A common response is, “I’ve ALWAYS hated insert food here since I was a child, and I’ll NEVER eat it!” You may find that some food you despised growing up are your favorites now. Palates DO change. Today, I enjoy a plethora of foods that I never would have imagined eating as a kid. Give those veggies a second chance! As the body becomes cleaner and you become more in tune with your body, you’ll find that you’re craving different foods – those foods tend to be healthy. The body intuitively knows what it needs. Yeah!

Eat your way through the alphabet. Make it a goal to eat as many different vegetables as you can find from A-Z, trying out at least two vegetables beginning with each letter! Your local farmers markets are a good place to begin. You can also explore your grocery store and ask your produce department to recommend something new. Chances are, you will fall short with a few letters, but so what! It will be fun! “Z” can be particularly difficult depending on whether you count zucchini or not. Botanically, it’s a fruit.

Happy Eating…and let me know how it goes!

**Posted as part of Food Renegade’s Fight Back Fridays!