How to Add Greens to Your Diet

Are meals at your house becoming more and more challenging? I know at my house it becomes difficult to include those beneficial greens into the quick and easy meal category.

By now everyone has heard the expert recommendations of including several servings of vegetables in daily meal planning. I have found that figuring out how to make greens into 'quick & easy' is the key.

One of the greatest new inventions to the busy family is the ability to purchase produce sliced, cut, shredded, and pre-pared. While the cost is a bit higher it becomes worth it if you just don't have the time.

If time isn't a problem then turning that preparation time into fun time is a great family activity and if they have helped prepare the food they will be more apt to eat those foods.

Greens can be added to almost any dish.

The following are a few ways I have found to prepare and serve great veggie sides at my house.

1. A quick salad is always a simple treat. Have lettuce already pulled apart or purchase it that way. Have other veggies pre-cut so each person can add their favorite items (Green Peppers, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Onions, Carrots, Cheese, Croutons, and Seeds) or any other items you love. A bag of each of these will last about a week and remaining individualized will lead to a greater chance that everyone will partake.

2. Those new veggie cooking bags are great. I purchase large bags of frozen veggies and break them down into these smaller veggie cooking bags. I add a little olive oil and different seasonings like salad seasonings or garlic & pepper, or Italian seasoning. When it is time for a meal I pop one of these bags into the microwave for 6-8 minutes and walla a perfect veggie side dish.

3. Stir fry is becoming ever so popular and a great way to add veggies and greens to the family diet. The following is one of my favorite recipes.

Chicken Stir Fry

• 16 oz skinless, boneless, chicken breast (cut into bite size pieces)

• 1 onion chopped

• ½ cup watercress

• ½ cup bamboo shoots

• 1 cup bok choy

• 1 cup small cut broccoli

• 1 red pepper (cut into strips)

• 1 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• 2 Tbs soy sauce

• 2 Tbs garlic (minced)

• ¼ cup peanuts

Heat wok or fry pan to medium high heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chicken, garlic, and onion and stir to brown. About 5 minutes. Add remaining vegetables with ¼ cup of water, turn down to medium low heat and cover. Stir every couple of minutes for another 6 minutes or when the vegetables are firm but tender. Add seasonings, soy, and peanuts. Continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Serve on Romaine lettuce leaves.

Remember greens are a great way to add snap and freshness to any meal and with a little planning can be incorporated into any family's meal plan.