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NFT: Share your ways of including(hiding) greens with your meals

Dave in Buffalo : 9/4/2015 12:58 pm
With the exception of peas and lima beans (which are actually legumes), I HATE GREENS. But I am very much into health and fitness so I try to eat well, and I try, try, try to find ways to include greens in my meals.

Mostly, I had been unsuccessful as about the only thing I could get my self to eat fairly consistently was asparagus stalks with a couple of poached eggs on top. Really though, it's mostly meh, but I eat it.

My search online proved fruitless (or greenless). So I started experimenting and discovered a simple change to one of my favorite protein shakes, which not only included a green, it actually made the shake taste better! I was astonished.

But that's only one success and I'd like a few more options. So for those of you out there who struggle with greens as I do, please share what's worked for you?

My green(ish) shake is pretty simple. Start with about a 1/4 cup of orange juice, an orange, half a frozen banana, vanilla protein, a handful of ice and half of an avocado. The avocado really gives it a nice flavor!

You can blend spinach and carrots into sauces and soups  
Moondawg : 9/4/2015 1:00 pm : link
we do that all the time with our kids.
Sorry Dave  
ShocknAwe80 : 9/4/2015 1:05 pm : link
But an avocado is not considered a green. It's actually the most fattening fruit you can eat (next to a banana)
greens refers to leafy greens... blend some spinach and kale into your protein shakes.
Bacon, egg, cheese and spinach wrap  
schabadoo : 9/4/2015 1:12 pm : link
There, healthy.
RE: Sorry Dave  
Dave in Buffalo : 9/4/2015 1:15 pm : link
In comment 12453726 ShocknAwe80 said:
Quote:
But an avocado is not considered a green. It's actually the most fattening fruit you can eat (next to a banana)
greens refers to leafy greens... blend some spinach and kale into your protein shakes.


Thanks for sharing that. The health stuff I've read includes the avocado in this category. My understanding is that the avocado is one of the best 'green type' foods you can include in your daily diet. It's supposed to be considered a healthy/good fat to include in your diet.

But since it's not really a green, that explains why I like it! LOL
just suck it up and eat them  
UConn4523 : 9/4/2015 1:15 pm : link
broccoli, string beans, whatever. I think they all taste great but pounding them down first if you don't like the taste is really easy.
Dave, man up and learn to like the veggies  
jjgmrg901 : 9/4/2015 1:15 pm : link
Other than Brussels Sprouts I will eat all veggies. Try using vinegar when you cook spinach or balsamic with asparagus or green beans.

Sorry avocado is a fruit and very fattening.
RE: Dave, man up and learn to like the veggies  
Dave in Buffalo : 9/4/2015 1:21 pm : link
In comment 12453754 jjgmrg901 said:
Quote:
Dave, man up and learn to like the veggies


Hey, don't shame me!

J/k, i appreciate the input.
pepper  
Les in TO : 9/4/2015 1:31 pm : link
olive oil and lemon.
get a juicer  
GMenLTS : 9/4/2015 1:37 pm : link
It's awesome
Dave  
pjcas18 : 9/4/2015 1:37 pm : link
wouldn't eat broccoli if it was deep fried in chocolate sauce.

vile weed.

Nutri-bullet shake  
I Love Clams Casino : 9/4/2015 1:37 pm : link
every single morning with a good handful of dark green fresh healthy spinach, mixed with berries, beets (not canned, fresh), flax seed and filtered water. You won't taste the spinach.
Ignore the advocado bashing  
Jim in Fairfax : 9/4/2015 1:37 pm : link
Are advocado a fruit? Yes. So are many vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and other squashes. They are BOTH a fruit and a vegetable. Fruit has two meanings: botanically and culinarily. The term vegetable is purely a culinary term. Produce that fits the nutritional profile of a vegetable is a vegetable, regardless of its botanical classification.

Advocado are extremely healthy. Yes they are relatively high in fat, but it's very heslthy monounsaturated fat. Obviously you need to eat them in moderation or the calories will add to your waistline. But do eat them.
RE: Nutri-bullet shake  
26.2 : 9/4/2015 1:39 pm : link
In comment 12453811 I Love Clams Casino said:
Quote:
every single morning with a good handful of dark green fresh healthy spinach, mixed with berries, beets (not canned, fresh), flax seed and filtered water. You won't taste the spinach.


I do the same and add Kale as well. it will turn it greenish color but otherwise tasteless and you can really load it in there.
Meatloaf.  
Enoch : 9/4/2015 1:40 pm : link
Blanch green stuff, chop, drain well, and mix in, with a little extra breadcrumb.
Think of an avocado  
Enoch : 9/4/2015 1:41 pm : link
as a giant olive.

(With much shittier flavor and texture.)
Ha! I love greens, spinach, baby kale  
buford : 9/4/2015 1:42 pm : link
asparagus, but I cannot tolerate them. The only green food I can have are green beans (which again, are legumes). I really miss spinach.
Avacod is a fruit  
buford : 9/4/2015 1:44 pm : link
(hint is if the seed is on the inside it's a fruit, strawberries are the exception). It is a fat, but it's a good fat. A few slices with a salad is fine. People need to eat more good fats.
Some of you guys...  
Chris in Philly : 9/4/2015 1:48 pm : link
make avacadoes sound like onion rings!
brussels sprouts are perfect for the fall...  
TEPLimey : 9/4/2015 1:48 pm : link
-blanch 1 lb brussels sprouts, stem peel outer layer and set aside
-pan fry 1/8 lb cubed panchetta
-add sprouts, 1/4 cup pomegrante seeds, 1 tsp chopped rosemary, salt and pepper to taste and sautee
-finish in oven at 350

Couldn't be easier. Couldn't be tastier. Yes, the panchetta's not great for you but everything else sure is.
I hated brussel sprouts,  
MBavaro : 9/4/2015 1:59 pm : link
until I had them roasted. My god, are they good that way. Come to think of it, any green vegetable is outstanding roasted. Super easy to do too.

So there you go.
RE: Avacod is a fruit  
I Love Clams Casino : 9/4/2015 2:04 pm : link
In comment 12453832 buford said:
Quote:
(hint is if the seed is on the inside it's a fruit, strawberries are the exception). It is a fat, but it's a good fat. A few slices with a salad is fine. People need to eat more good fats.


so peppers are a fruit? must be another exception, no?


Wait! Cucumbers? You sure about that Buf?
RE: RE: Avacod is a fruit  
buford : 9/4/2015 2:20 pm : link
In comment 12453899 I Love Clams Casino said:
Quote:
In comment 12453832 buford said:


Quote:


(hint is if the seed is on the inside it's a fruit, strawberries are the exception). It is a fat, but it's a good fat. A few slices with a salad is fine. People need to eat more good fats.



so peppers are a fruit? must be another exception, no?


Wait! Cucumbers? You sure about that Buf?


tomatoes and peppers are technically fruits. That's the botanical definition. Now in common language, many fruits are considered vegetables.
Link - ( New Window )
RE: brussels sprouts are perfect for the fall...  
Enoch : 9/4/2015 2:22 pm : link
In comment 12453848 TEPLimey said:
Quote:
-blanch 1 lb brussels sprouts, stem peel outer layer and set aside
-pan fry 1/8 lb cubed panchetta
-add sprouts, 1/4 cup pomegrante seeds, 1 tsp chopped rosemary, salt and pepper to taste and sautee
-finish in oven at 350

Couldn't be easier. Couldn't be tastier. Yes, the panchetta's not great for you but everything else sure is.

That could be a lot easier. Three separate heat-adding steps? Two dishes to clean? I have to wait for water to boil for blanching? Bah.

I fry then steam. Clean the sprouts up and half them lengthwise. Heat up some oil in a pan (or render some fat from cured meat), put the sprouts in, cut side down. Get a nice sear on that side, then toss and add a little minced garlic. Pour in about a third of whatever beer you're drinking, then cover to steam. (Beef stock is an acceptable beer substitute.) When the beer starts drying up, check doneness with a fork. Add more liquid and re-cover if you want them cooked more. Otherwise, finish with salt, pepper, and a little butter.

20 minutes, start to finish, including the knife-work. Only 1 pan to clean.
RE: I hated brussel sprouts,  
PEEJ : 9/4/2015 2:25 pm : link
In comment 12453883 MBavaro said:
Quote:
until I had them roasted. My god, are they good that way. Come to think of it, any green vegetable is outstanding roasted. Super easy to do too.

So there you go.

Roasting is the way to go with sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. Greens are good dressed in sauteed garlic and oil
poached eggs on steamed spinach or kale, salt and pepper to taste  
Giants61 : 9/4/2015 2:30 pm : link
regarding brussel sprouts, saute chopped onion and minced garlic in a little olive oil until onion is translucent, add peeled and washed sprouts and brown with the pan covered. Stir occasionally for about 15 minutes. I season with salt and pepper. You can add trace amount of maple syrup if brussel sprouts are too bitter to your taste
any green  
pjcas18 : 9/4/2015 2:31 pm : link
just about in a smoothie or juiced won't be detectable with a good blender and other fruits/vegetables/powders.

and raw greens juiced is supposed to be the way to maintain the most nutrients (if what I've read is true) as opposed to cooking where you lose some.

I have mostly used kale and spinach, but others are probably good too.

if you're eating greens my preferences is cabbage, kale, broccoli or beans/peas lightly steamed so they're not soggy and maintain some texture.
RE: Ignore the advocado bashing  
Dave in Buffalo : 9/4/2015 3:36 pm : link
In comment 12453813 Jim in Fairfax said:
Quote:
Are advocado a fruit? Yes. So are many vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and other squashes. They are BOTH a fruit and a vegetable. Fruit has two meanings: botanically and culinarily. The term vegetable is purely a culinary term. Produce that fits the nutritional profile of a vegetable is a vegetable, regardless of its botanical classification.

Advocado are extremely healthy. Yes they are relatively high in fat, but it's very heslthy monounsaturated fat. Obviously you need to eat them in moderation or the calories will add to your waistline. But do eat them.


Thanks Jim.
adding cheese makes veggies taste better (not sure if healthy though)  
jcp56 : 9/4/2015 3:36 pm : link
my wife's spinach roll is one of my favorites -- pizza dough, spinach sauteed with garlic and strained, and lots of cheese.

Indian spinach with cheese (paneer) is always good.

Snow peas are great stir fried with meat.

pasta with sausage and broccali robe is OK, if you don't mind bitter veggies.

I think when you blend greens, you lose the fiber, so it won't fill you up.

Fortunately, I love salad (not with iceberg lettuce, with arugala, or spinach, or fennel), broccoli (sauteed with garlic and Chinese vegetable sauce - close to oyster sauce), string beans (cooked, but cold with olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper), are some of my favorites. You've got to develop a taste for it. It took my kids some time, but they like their veggies too.
Thanks People!  
Dave in Buffalo : 9/4/2015 3:42 pm : link
Lots of great information, suggestions and recipes. Gonna keep me busy for awhile!
What I do is cut them into  
Deej : 9/4/2015 3:51 pm : link
bite sized pieces and then, using a fork, put them in my mouth and chew because I'm not a little baby.

Also, quiche.
B Sprouts  
Deej : 9/4/2015 3:56 pm : link
I actually prefer them boiled, with caraway seeds. The key is not to overcook them. If you overcook them they become sulfurous like a lot of the cabbage family.

Another good recipe: Take one cabbage and cut it into 8-16 wedges, depending on size. Mix some sriracha, oil, and lime/lemon juice (roughly equal proportions). Paint the cabbage on both sides and stick in a hot oven. Exact temp doesnt matter. Time doesnt matter. Flip at some point and re-paint. Pull them out when you want. My wife likes it more softened whereas I like getting some char on. I suspect it would be 2x as good on a grill.
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