Vegetables for Lazy Days
There are days, many of them lately, when I’m happy to prepare a meal, yet I am not in the mood to peel and chop a batch of vegetables to sauté, roast or grill. It feels like WAY too much work.
And yet, I know that eating lots of them is a really good idea. Vegetables are very plentiful and extra delicious right now.
So, I’m working on a repertoire of vegetables that I can have on hand for times like these. We have fall and winter months to spend more time chopping for soups, stews and roasting. These days, I’d rather be enjoying the outdoors.
Here are a few of my summertime veggie favorites, designed to keep you healthy and enjoying whatever it is you’d rather be doing.
Spinach
I love the versatility of spinach and have discovered that I must never be without it. Toss with other varieties of greens in a salad; spinach salad with strawberries, goat cheese (or your favorite), pecans, and balsamic; sauté in avocado oil and generous amounts of garlic. Ready in 5 minutes or less; toss in your smoothies, omelets and scrambles.
Tomatoes
These will be showing up in massive quantities soon. I’m ready! Simply slice them to accompany any meal; make caprese salad; lightly sauté halved cherry tomatoes in a bit of butter and your favorite seasonings; tomato sandwich; tomato toast with chives and sesame seeds; cucumber Greek salad.
Sweet Bell Peppers
My favorites are red, orange, and yellow, as they are ripe and sweeter than the green ones. Slice and add to salads; add to stir fries and eggs; stuff them and bake or put in the crock pot; great raw on their own.
Salad Greens
I keep a big box of mixed spring greens on hand most of the time. Salads are quick, delicious, and lots of other vegetables can be added without much effort. Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. It’s easy to get 2 to 3 servings of vegetables into your day with one swift swoop. When I use prepared dressing, I like Primal Kitchen brand for the simple ingredients.
As I mentioned last week, it’s time to bake a cake—from scratch! There’s still space for you to join me this afternoon. Let me know and I’ll send you the special Zoom link. Remember, you can make any kind of cake you like! 
Here’s your invitation:
WHAT: The Amazing Cake Bake with Health Coach Carol
WHERE: ZOOM, so you’re in your own kitchen, and we’re together
WHEN: Thursday, July 23, 2020 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm
HOW: You gather the ingredients you need to make whatever cake you desire, and we all make cake
WHY: Creating a cake from scratch is an act of love, and the world could use more love
COST: FREE
While the cakes are baking, I’ll be coaching you on a variety of health tips. We learn from one another and share lots of laughs. BONUS: Because it’s a small group, you’ll get some personal coaching!
Much love,
Carol
“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.”—Jim Davis