Bonnie Church, CNC CLC
Not everyone delights in a well-stocked produce section. There are even those among us who consider veggies ‘meh’ at best, ‘yucky’ at worst. Is that you? Maybe you are looking at TLS thinking, ‘No way, I can eat all those veggies. Good news. Research shows that you don’t have to resign yourself to a life of mac and cheese. You can learn to love, or at the very least, like veggies. Dietary likes and dislikes aren’t ingrained in our DNA. Over time you can retrain your palate, and not as slow as you might think. Taste bud cells turnover on average every 10 days.
Start with our 30-Day Jump-Start Kit or 7-Day Detox: As you detox, you retrain your taste buds to crave less refined foods and to really appreciate the taste of veggies. TLS has had countless veggie-haters, turn veggies-lovers, by the end of the 30-Day Jump Start Program.
Start small. Look at the list of veggies on your personalized TLS plan. Pick one or two vegetables that you are not particularly fond of. The typical ones that cause many to turn up their nose are broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, radishes, spinach, and arugula.
Eat a little bit at meals, 3 -4 meals per day. Repeated exposure has been shown to change the proteins in saliva, calming the initial distaste.
Learn some best cooking practices:
- Blanch: Blanching root vegetables and Brussel sprouts get rid of the bitter edge. Just boil water. Put your veggies in for 2 minutes. Drain and then immediately cover them with cold water. Drain again.
- Massage: This works great for raw greens, like kale or arugula. Just drizzle them with some oil and a little salt. Use your hands to literally massage it into the leaves. This will make them less bitter, and easier to digest.
- Roast, Grill, or Sauté: These cooking methods create interesting textures and give veggies sweet, toasty goodness.
- Don’t Overcook: Mushy veggies are good for toothless babies, but not so palatable to grownups. Google cooking times and suggestions.
Compliment your vegetables with these flavors:
- Add flavored oils: Flavored oils are an excellent way to add a ton of flavor in one little pour. Try spritzing your veggies with oils infused with lemon, garlic, or basil to make things super tasty.
- Season with herbs and spices: Butter, salt, and pepper are quintessential favorites, but don’t be afraid to experiment with a bouquet of flavors. Sprinkle some garlic, cilantro, cumin, basil, dill, or mint to add a burst of flavor.
- Serve them with a sauce, dressing, or dip: Combining a taste you don’t like, with one that you do like will help you grow fond of your veggies. If you love salsa, top your veggies with those and focus on this new taste combination. Try drizzling cooked Brussels sprouts or root vegetables with a teaspoon of balsamic glaze or honey to add a touch of sweetness. Spritz your veggies with lemon. It neutralizes the bitter taste.
- Check out the Vegetables and Vegetarian recipes on your TLSslim.com site. Below is one of my favorites.
Lemon Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan (RR, SS, CC)
Serves 6
2 1/2 bunch asparagus
2- 4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon zest
2 TBSP olive oil
1/2 TBSP salt
1/4 cup parmesan
1/4 tsp pepper
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a roasting pan, toss asparagus with the oil, garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, tossing occasionally until brown and tender. [Keep an eye on it. You don’t want to overcook.] Drizzle lemon juice to taste asparagus. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving.
Eating your vegetables pays a lifetime of dividends. They are the centerpiece of a healthy lifestyle. According to Harvard School of Public Health, a diet rich in veggies and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, lower the risk of digestive problems, and have a positive effect on blood sugar. All good reasons to hold your nose and take a bite.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The persons sharing their stories are independent distributors of Market America products.
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