Eating the recommended 1-3 cups of vegetables a day can be a daunting and sometimes unappetizing prospect, especially if your taste buds aren’t on board.  Luckily, there are many simple and delicious ways to trick yourself into getting all you need. Check out these seven ways veggies made great can help you sneak them in, and maybe even enjoy them!

If the idea of snacking on a head of raw broccoli doesn’t sound like your idea of a good time, you may be like the 90% of Americans who aren’t eating enough vegetables.  If you think of vegetables as nothing more than an unpleasant obligation, maybe it’s time to try some of the many ways veggies made great can revolutionize your eating habits. From breakfast to dinner and every snack in between, Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have everything you need to get all the veggies you need in a day.

Tricking Your Tastebuds

1. Start your morning with a smoothie

If starting your day with a mouth full of raw spinach seems like a rough way to begin, try easing yourself into your morning with a smoothie you’ll actually enjoy, and likely start to crave. Start with a cup or two of raw spinach or kale in your blender. You’d be surprised at how much you can pack into a single serving! Add one banana (or some of our fresh berries), a half cup of vanilla yogurt, one frozen banana, and half a cup of milk or almond milk. Blend and add more milk or yogurt to your desired consistency. Now you’ve already had one serving of vegetables and one serving of fruit, and you’re just getting started!

2. Saute some vegetables into a breakfast scramble

Maybe you prefer to start your day with something savory rather than sweet. A great way to get your morning started with veggies made great is by adding them to an egg scramble. Start by sauteing chopped onions and garlic in olive oil. Add chopped spinach, mushrooms, peppers, oven roasted tomatoes and cheese. So many veggies in one delicious meal! Who says breakfast can’t be fancy?

3. Snack on crunchy Kale Chips

If you crave the salty crunch of chips, you’ll find yourself reaching for these Baked Kale Chips as a regular mid-afternoon snack. Why settle for bagged potato chips when you can delight your taste buds and tummy with something that’s actually good for you? Start by trimming the leaves from the stem of your kale. Discard the stem and chop the leaves into 1-inch pieces. Toss in enough vegetable oil to coat. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and sprinkle generously with sea salt. Bake at 350℉ for 10-15 minutes, until the edges are brown, but not burnt. Snack away!

4. Dip your veggies in a healthier alternative to ranch

Love ranch but hate the calories? Here at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, we carry a great selection of Walden Farms salad dressings. These calorie-free, fat-free, gluten-free dressings will have you dipping and snacking on baby carrots, juicy grape tomatoes, and red peppers to your heart’s content without adding to your waistline.

5. Have a side of sweet potato fries

Why should you choose sweet potato fries over regular fries? Sweet potatoes have more health benefits than white potatoes, including more vitamin A and fewer calories. Make your own sweet potato fries with this recipe from The New York Times, or pick up a bag from our frozen section here at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. Add sweet potato fries to the menu next time you make burgers or sliders and see how veggies made great can elevate your dinner experience.

6. Create gourmet pizzas at home with cauliflower pizza dough

What’s better than homemade pizza? Homemade pizza that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. You can find cauliflower pizza dough at Tacoma Boys and H&L produce. You’ll love this gluten-free, tasty alternative to traditional pizza dough. Top it with whatever you’d like, and enjoy guilt free! If you’re feeling ambitious, try the Chicken Pesto Pizza recipe from our blog.

7. Try cauliflower rice as a substitute for white rice

This delicious alternative to plain rice adds sophistication to any dinner. While white rice can serve as a bit of a bland placeholder, cauliflower rice is a flavorful side you’ll want to make again and again. Much lower in calories and carbs than its white rice counterpart, you can load up on cauliflower rice and get all the fiber and Vitamin B this vegetable has to offer. Pick up a head of cauliflower from our produce section at Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce and try this recipe from Minimalist Baker, or grab a bag of frozen cauliflower rice from our frozen section. For even more veggies made great, saute stir-fry veggies in olive oil, top with teriyaki sauce, and enjoy over a bowl of cauliflower rice.

Where to find great produce locally?

Adding vegetables to your diet every day has numerous benefits, from boosting your immune system, energy level, and mood to improving your skin and eye health. So where can you find the best produce for your family? Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce buys produce directly from the source, and it’s often grown locally, so you can feel great about the quality of the vegetables you’re eating. Your breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners are sure to impress with the flavor, color, and nutrition you get from veggies made great.  So why not give one or two of these ideas a try? For the best selection of produce, there’s no better place to shop locally than Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. Come in and speak to our knowledgeable staff for help selecting the best vegetables from our produce section today!