Healthy Menu Planning

Wow, it has been awhile since I have blogged, but I am still around! You would think that I would have more time in the fall/winter when I am not gardening to post. I guess, it is just not the case. Although, I must mention, as of last week, I was STILL getting broccoli from my garden. Now it was just snippets, but nonetheless it was broccoli. We like to use a little here and there for our salads. Perfect for that purpose. I am just amazed that I still have some growing. Never before has this happened. As a matter of fact, it just makes me even more excited for gardening season. I just planted broccoli seeds today inside. I am hoping for a cool weather crop.

I don't know about you, but growing up, my mother fixed potatoes or another starchy vegetable or pasta every night for dinner. I think that carbohydrates are how I picked up most of my weight when I was younger. Just simply too much carbs. I didn't know when to stop as they all tasted so good. I carried this into my adult life. I think one of my biggest challenges in this journey was when I cut back on carbohydrates. However, I must admit, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The initial change was hard, but once over the hump, I can now resist temptation. This is one battle that I could have NEVER imagined that I would conquer. So, what do you fix for dinner if it isn't pasta and carbs? Well, that is a good question. The exact question that I asked my Naturopath.

I have learned to replace the carbs with salads and stir fry vegetables. Instead of my traditional meat, potato/pasta, and vegetable. Now I eat meat, a cooked vegetable/vegetable stir-fry, and a salad. Never thought that I would be satisfied, but I was. I was even satisfied the first time around. However, I can't say the temptation didn't linger for awhile. Try it, see if it works for you. When I say, temptation, I don't necessarily deny the rest of my family from the potatoes/pasta, but I have noticed, they do choose less of the potatoes/pasta since they eat the veggies. This is just as important as my girls could use less carbs too. I have even seen my husband skip the potatoes/pasta and just eat the veggies with meat. Below, I am including my summer stir-fry recipe. Please keep in mind that you can get creative and change the veggies. I have used green beans and peas before, too. Enjoy!

Summer Stir-fry

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots sliced

3 medium zucchini, chopped

1 garlic clove minced

1 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. dried sage

1/2 tsp. dried parsley flakes

broccoli florets

aspargus

Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil. Add carrots, broccoli, zucchini, and aspargus. Add all spices and mix together with vegetables. Stir-fry vegetables until they are tender.