Kelli's veggies and weekly planners

First, I love that you're all using this! I'm so inspired!! Congrats, karen on your pact with Dan!

Second, I don't know if this fits anyone's recent interests/requests/pleas, but I've been intrigued by a concept I saw in Real Simple, in two different places: using long thin strips of zucchini and/or yellow squash from a vegetable peeler, plus olive oil, lemon juice, etc. to make a salad. i tried it first with zucchini, lemon juice, tomatoes, goat cheese, salt and pepper, and it was okay but I thought it could have been better. The second recipe I found and am about to try uses both kinds of squash with olive oil, lemon and shaved parmesan. I'm also thinking it might be pretty/tasty to use carrot or cucumber prepared the same way, or with dill, vinaigrette, etc. I'll keep you posted.

Here's a link to one of those recipes and another variation.

By the way, I meant to mention that as far as eating healthier is concerned, Nicole turned me on to this a long time ago, but I just finally started paying attention. It's a set of meal plans for a week's worth of food for each of three approaches to eating--convenience, home cooking, or grazing. (Again, from RS. They should pay me.):

Karen's Gourmet Treat

I have a very fancy, complicated recipe that is so worth the time. This is all I've been eating lately for dinner. Here is what you do.

1) walk to kitchen
2) open freezer
3) put edamame bag into microwave and turn on (must read detailed instructions on packet)
4) pour in bowl (sprinkle with some salt if you have the time)
5) put soy sauce into small bowl
6) put out extra bowl
7) sit in front of tv--turn on
8) enjoy healthy meal of soybeans! (at least it sounds healthy)

It's like dinner and an activity at the same time b/c eating them makes me somehow feel like I am DOING something. I like that.

It might be a not-so-good dinner, but it is better than eating an entire bag of chips.

I finish off the meal with some weight watchers ice cream and maybe a few turkey pepperonis that Kelli turned me onto.

bliss....

Nicole's Favorites

Re: frozen meals - I'm a big fan of Lean Cuisin pizzas, and their sandwiches are pretty good too. They seem to be less like traditional frozen meals, which makes me like 'em more. As for eating fresh, steamed asparagus is a big hit at our house. I've also rediscovered the joys of hamburgers (from fresh beef, not the frozed patties) for Brian and a veggie burger for me. Easy and tastes like we've grilled out, even when it comes from the grill pan on the stove.

For those of you who are close by, be ready for some homegrown tomatoes in the coming weeks - Brian planted six tomato plants, and they're all huge! It means I'll soon have one of my favorite treats of the summer - yellow tomatoes. If you haven't ever tried them and you're a tomato fan, it's a must do.

Sarah's thoughts

In the summer we have been trying to eat WAY more fresh fruits and veggies. Often we'll have 2 veggies instead of a starch with our meat. Last night, we bought kabobs already made, but added marinade and then grilled zucchini (olive oil, s & p) on the side. It was delicious! I've also been dipping carrots and cucumbers in a low-fat dip or hummus for lunch.

My salads almost always consist of one nut/seed and some cheese and some fruit. I love Newman's own Balsamic Vinegrette or Olive Oil one, although easy to make one's own, I like Paul's for ease.

Some fav combos include:
-Goat cheese, walnut, grape (also pear and apple are good with goat)
-Blue cheese, pecan/walnut, apple/grape/pear
-Sunflower seed, craisins and mandarin orange