Now I have nothing against raw diets. I respect and appreciate the primal form our nutrients is intended to be delivered. BUT, I am a pushover for roasted vegetables! The vibrant colors on the grill and the way they glisten with a dab of oil. The crackling of the fiber and oil you hear as they approach the perfect roasting temperature. The texture when the outer layer is caramelized. The aroma that reaches your nose about halfway through the cooking process. And the taste! Mmmmmm. Roasted veggies are the ultimate aphrodisiac!
Yep, I said it; I find whole foods sensual and I get hot and bothered by roasted vegetables. Getting a plate full of this delicious treat will have me like Duffy begging for “Mercy… Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” (I am dork, get used to it.) The other reason I am so excited about veggies is how nutrient-dense they are and how easy they are to prepare.
Pick the vegetables of your liking. I always think “eat a rainbow” when selecting vegetables. A variety will deliver loads of micronutrients. Fun fact: broccoli has protein hiding among all those vitamins and minerals! Which leads me to the next thing to keep in mind: macronutrients. I try to have a protein, a carbohydrate, and a fat at every meal. Now please consider the source of your macronutrients. You want a protein that is lean, a carb that is simple, and a fat to be good instead of bad (insert heavenly music here). So while my roasted veggies are the main event, and my carbohydrate, sometimes I will add pine nuts or pour the vegetables over a bed of chickpea pasta. For fat I tend to use a little cold-pressed oil to coat the veggies. When I took this photo, I had marinated artichokes soaked in a mixture of vinegar, oil(there’s my fat), garlic, and onions. I lightly coated the vegetables with this before throwing them in the oven. Sometimes I garnish the dish with avocados for more fat.
If you are new to cooking or making whole foods a part of your daily diet, relax! It is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Explore different combinations, experiment with new seasoning methods. Transformation to healthy eating doesn’t happen over night. When you make little changes, like adding more vegetables at each meal, you give your body the fuel it needs. Eventually the vegetables start to crowd out the not-so-good stuff and your body starts seeking the appropriate fuel. This makes it easier for you to make better food choices. Take that first step: try a new recipe, alter a current recipe you use or develop your own recipe. When you allow your curiosity and creativity to thrive you will have endless possibilities!
Wing Woman 