Homemade Veggie Mix

[jrose1982]

Following several years of yo-yo dieting, I've learned the two tricks that make the biggest difference to me:

• Keep it simple
• Eat lots of vegetables.

"Keep is simple" is probably the most important because I'm fairly impulsive and what my old roomate calls "domestically challenged": I don't like to cook, clean, shop, or plan meals. So when I look for ways to eat more vegetables and get the advice to "try this recipe" or "cook them that way", such advice falls flat.

I have found one method that works for me: I go to the produce aisle and buy a variety of vegetables, guestimating how much I will eat in one week. Then I get home and chop 'em up and sort them into 7 bags, creating seven grab-and-go mixed-veggie bags to get me through the week. This method works fairly well for me, but there is a small flaw.

I'm noticing that I my veggie bags always have more-or-less the same ingredients. I buy based on what's cheap and seasonal, but also based on what I know I like. I live in Alaska, so "cheap and seasonal" is kind of a small category, but I suspect "what I know I like" is the chief reason I keep buying the same things.

Typical ingredients include celery, yellow squash, zuccini or cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes. I try to avoid things like carrots, brocolli, peas, and potatoes because they are easily available in convenience foods that I inevitably return to. I also try to avoid things that are difficult to cut (like butternut or other large squash) or need to be cooked to taste good (like onions).

My question is, how would you add some variety to such a veggie bag? Suggestions for other vegetables that taste good raw and would work well with this mix?

[glitzy]

Try to add lettuce into your mixtures, maybe? Corn, asparagus, radishes, string beans.. that's all I can think of right now.

[Gohike]

What about adding seasonings and / or hummus for a different taste

[emili]

cauliflower, snap peas, bok choy- none of these need anything with them- they are crunchy and yummy. You may also want to try different color peppers as they all taste a bit different- particularly green. you can also add fruit for variety- watermelon, strawberries- 9 calories per oz.

[Dominique]

I also live in a cold area (Finland), which means local veggies are scarce in winter (of course, you can also find a lot of imported veggies). I’ll admit I cheat: I buy a lot of frozen veggies like leaf spinach and whole green beans. Here is an example:

For me, one serving is about 250 grams (for a mere 65 calories, I love these!), so a single bag will give me my share of veggies for three meals.

Prep is minimal, I just put them in a saucepan and wait until they are ready:

I also try to buy as much fresh veggies as I can, but since I live in a remote area and usually only shop for groceries twice a week, these are my lifebelt when I run out of fresh stuff. I always keep several bags in my freezer.

[CindyFitbit]

Hey @jrose1982 I really think that these are great tips! It's easy, fast and nutritive! I would add also mushrooms, asparagus, sweet corn and even some nuts!