Tag: eat more vegetables

Satiating Plant Based Meals · Uncategorized

5 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets for your Vegan Weight Loss Journey

Lipedema Vegan3 Comments

Microwave steamer: I am absolutely obsessed with this steamer! It is made of silicone, which won’t leach weird chemicals into your food as it cooks. Underneath those luscious veggies, there is a riser that is designed to keep the veggies a few centimeters under the little bit of water you add before placing the lid on. The water boils and circulates to steam the veggies in 8 minutes or less! THIS is why rice and steamed veggies is my fave quick, 10 minute lunch!

Potato Express: This is my favorite contraption for cooking sweet potatoes and potatoes quickly! When I have the time, I oven roast, but at work and when time is limited, I use this fabric bag. Simply wash whole potatoes and pop in the bag. No need to stab with a fork- they will not explode in the bag! A full bag that can lay flat takes about 8 minutes to cook the potatoes! I always have one of these in my desk at work!

Instant Pot: I own two Instant Pots! I have one large one that I cook my rice in each week, and a mini one (linked to the left) specifically for cooking morning oats (1 cup of oats/groats, 3 cups of water, porridge button = makes 2 servings)! This smaller one is great for single meals, while the larger is great for meal prepping!

Silicone baking sheet: These baking sheet covers are game changers. Not only will you save on aluminum foil and cleanup, but they really great in the nonstick department. Although I still use a quick spray of Pam when roasting veggies, these are so quick and easy to clean. AND you will save money on baking sheets. I’ve had mine for years!

Large stainless steel wok: This wok is amazing. My husband cleans the dishes after I cook, and he always raves about this product! When you are eating whole food plant based, you are preparing a LOT of veggies. You will not survive with some medium sized frying pans. This wok is incredibly nonstick AND holds your biggest stir-fries! We use it often to sauté peppers and onions, which can be a messy task with no oil. Soak it with soapy water, and all that gunk comes right off. It’s also stainless steal so you don’t have to worry about any of those cancer causing nonstick coatings! Check it out!

Fat Loss Strategies · Uncategorized

5 Salad-Free Ways to Increase Your Vegetable Intake!

Lipedema Vegan1 Comment
  • Stock up on frozen vegetables!
    • Stocking up on frozen vegetables is by far the easiest way to eat more veggies. Frozen green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, Brussels, and more are readily available at every grocery store! Common blends include Normandy blend (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot) and stir fry mixes (containing green beans, peppers, onions, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, etc.). All you need is a simple steamer to reheat these back to perfection. These veggie packs come pre-chopped (my favorite part) and can be kept for years in the freezer, saving you time and money! My favorite steamer is this microwavable silicone steamer, but there are metal options that work with your favorite stovetop pots and pans!
  • Sneak them in your favorite recipes!
    • Throw some steamed broccoli in your vegan mac and cheese, add green beans to your favorite soup/pasta/curry recipe, and load your tacos with fajita vegetables (and don’t just stop at peppers and onions). Also, check out tomorrow’s post on my mashed potato and cauliflower with a taste and texture that is exactly like mom’s mashers but with 50% non-starchy vegetable content!
  • Set a daily vegetable variety goal!
    • Make a contest with yourself or with your family to see how many different vegetables (and fruits!) you can eat in a day! The 5-a-day rule from the federal organizations is pretty weak. It’s easy to get 10-15 or more varieties in a day but including 3-5 different types at each meal. Each vegetable has a different array of micronutrients, antioxidants, and minerals, so it is so crucial to increase the variety of veggies you prepare! Eating the same three veggies each day is far better than shunning veggies. But variety is the spice of life!
  • Make time for daily green smoothies!
    • If you need more veggies in your diet, green smoothies are the easiest ways. A cup of fruit with a handful of frozen spinach or fresh kale/spinach will taste simply like a fruit smoothie! Add a packet of stevia for extra sweetness. Add milk, vegan protein powder, and banana for extra creaminess. Add greens powders, mushroom extracts, or flax seed for extra antioxidants, immunity boost, and omega 3s (respectively). We prefer broccoli, red cabbage, and kale microgreens in our daily smoothies! My husband is obsessed with mango, so we alternate between berries and mango for our smoothie base!
  • Top your meals with microgreens!
    • Microgreens are 7-12 day old vegetable seedlings that are traditionally grow indoors and are available year-round in most areas. Additionally, you can grow your own (upcoming post about that, since we’ve been doing this for years!). When succession planted, you can harvest them as needed to throw handfuls on your cooked meals or in your smoothies. Interestingly, they have 4-100x more antioxidants and nutrients than the mature versions of the vegetables, so they really back a nutrition punch in a small package!
Microgreens can be grown in soil or hydroponically!