...in the words of homer simpson. but this post is about more meatless thoughts.
salads!- one of my staples that i get at the grocery every week is some kind of salad green whether it is spinach, red leaf, romaine, or maiche. it's my go-to for a quick, healthy lunch. i actually prep some fix-ins for it at the beginning of each week and put them in containers so when i'm feeling ravenous, i'm less likely to eat spoonfuls of peanut butter, but instead can add a few cucumbers or berries or nuts for a satisfying lunch.
- we love to eat salads for dinner, too. and despite their reputation, they can be hearty and satisfying. adding roasted potatoes, blanched green beans, or crumbly cheeses, avocado, or hard boiled eggs...i'd say that's substantial enough to stand up against any piece of chicken.
fish!- where to begin? if i don't eat at least one piece of seafood a week, i feel like my body is lacking those essential, rich omega-3 fatty acids. what the heck does that mean, you ask? it's the same feeling i get when i drink my glass of red wine for the day. it just feels healthy. moderation. no over-indulgence. it feels like balance. like when you drink enough water throughout the day, you just
feel better. so if that's not a convincing enough argument to peer-pressure you into eating more fish, then find new recipes to make fish exciting. and when i think of eating fish, it is NOT the "fish" you see on those long john silver's commercials. lord, help me. now, i am a fan of all things fried, let's be honest. but when you batter and deep fry anything, it doesn't taste much at all like the food covered up in all that crispy, crunchy breading. real, unadulterated fish tastes so good when it's fresh and cooked even very simply.
legumes!- peas, lentils, beans, oh my. really, i can't get enough. have no guilt in eating these little suckers. they are delish and can be prepared in multiple ways. served alongside grains, they are a complete protein. examples include dal (lentils) with rice, beans with corn tortillas, tofu with rice, or (possibly the easiest) peanut butter with wheat bread. talk about a mainstay in every culture.
nut butters!- let this be your charge to branch out from the norm. there are so many options out there and they each taste so distinctively different from each other; almond, cashew, hazelnut, peanut, pecan, pistachio, walnut. although not all are nuts in a botanical sense, all are considered "nuts" in the culinary sense. crushing their seeds makes a spreadable consistency which we call nut butters. this is a great reason to own
my favorite kitchen appliance. or, just go to your local market, sometimes in specialty sections, to find them already prepared. (here's a great blog
post with pictures on how to make your own--so easy!)
pasta!- again, this is your pep talk to discover new horizons. or let's get crazy--try making your own! it is easy, inexpensive, and will be completely rewarding, i promise. but let's just begin with buying it. in the grocery aisle these days, there are so many choices. you've got all these fun shapes with italian names i can't pronounce and lots of flavor selections, too; whole wheat, spinach, saffron, sun dried tomato, mushroom, squid ink, egg, garlic, and lemon pepper. and that's just the noodle. shy away from the red sauces and get creative. toss them with veggies and cream. make it cheesy and bake it. be simple with just browned butter. add wilted greens . or shrimp. or artichokes. but always garlic.
okay, specific meatless meal ideas to come. tomorrow.
these are vera's daycare workers that she hangs out with when i'm working out at the gym. they absolutely love her and for that, i love them! i really trust them and love talking and getting to know them. leti (top left) has named herself "grammie leti" to vera because she has no grandchildren of her own. daisy (top right) bought vera a pair of skinny jeans from gap because she said she "just felt like she needed some skinny jeans." elsa (bottom) has trained vera to fall asleep in my arms again, which i am grateful for. she prefers to go to sleep alone in her crib, but occasionally, she'll let me hold her til she falls asleep. i just love that these ladies enjoy my sweet daughter so much. i feel like nothing is more valuable than trusted child care providers. i try to make them know they are appreciated in various ways.
