I’m loving vegetables so much more after the past week – it’s great to appreciate Mother Earth. The weekend was full of veggie goodies: sliced beets (never knew I liked them before!), a red-leaf lettuce salad with grated carrots and chopped celery (olive oil and lemon juice on top), more grated carrots added to chicken salad, broccoli (tossed with olive oil and thyme and roasted in the oven just until the tips start to brown – yummy!), sauteed mushrooms and red onions added to scrambled eggs, a big bag of frozen mixed veggies (cooked, then tossed with a little butter for taste). I’m going to try to keet this up, looking at every meal with a new eye — how can I add some veggies here and there? What’s in the crisper that might compliment this sandwich or that sauce? Happy Eating – The YoDieter

I feel one with Earth. Lunch today was a cucumber sandwich – a very thin layer of butter on whole wheat bread, with a slice of low-fat cheese and lots of thinly sliced cucumbers. Super refreshing. Afternoon snack was sugar snap peas dipped in hummus. So sweet and crunchy! For dinner I’ll cook a white bean stew (with onions, tomatoes, and a small amount of grass-fed stew beef), served over brown basmati rice and with a fresh salad on the side (arugula, lemon, olive oil, s&p). For dessert, a bunch of black grapes chilling in the crisper are calling my name. Yum!!! Happy Eating – The YoDieter

In honor of the Veggie Challenge, tonight’s menu features a stir fry — one of the easiest way to get lots of veggies that actually taste good! I’ll stir fry some sliced garlic in sunflower oil (sesame would be good, too, but I’m out), then add cut-up chicken, and when that’s done, add chopped broccoli, yellow pepper, mushrooms, baby corn, and some sauce (I’m trying a store-bought sauce, but it’s got good ingredients – Sweet Chili and Kaffir Lime stir fry sauce). I’ll mix in some cooked Chinese wholewheat noodles (for those of you who read the earlier posts… Chinese wholewheat noodles don’t have the same pitfalls as other whole wheat pasta!) and top with fresh scallions and parsley. This isn’t really a recipe, just a mix of lots of veggies! And lots of colors. Experiment with whatever veggies you like. Definitely a feel-good meal. Happy Eating – The YoDieter

Eat more vegetables. Is there any other phrase that goes in one ear and out the other so easily? Veggies seem shy and reserved compared to their cousins, those sassy, sweet, tangy, and bright fruits, but for the next few days I’m bringing the attention back to the veggie. I’ll eat other things, of course, but I want to be aware of adding more veggies to my lunches, afternoon snacks, and dinners. Anybody care to join me in this Veggie Challenge? Please comment with your successes and any good veggie additions to your snacks and meals!

Tonight I’m baking white fish in a ground almond, paprika, and dill coating, then serving with a carrot salad (a big pile of grated carrots, drizzled with olive oil and doused with lemon juice), and a bean salad (a can of rinsed, drained white beans, plus chopped red and yellow peppers, scallions, cucumber, radishes, and parsley, also drizzled with olive oil and doused with lemon juice). Happy Eating – The YoDieter

I have my fingers crossed for some yummy chocolate tomorrow. I feel like Goldilocks – too big a box and I’ll end up feeling bad for eating it, no chocolate at all and I’ll crave it. Just right? A nice little box with a few pieces of sumptuous melty heaven. I love chocolates with nuts or caramel – the mix of sweet and salty. Oh yeah! Hope I’m given some, so I don’t have to buy it myself! Just need a plan in case I get a big box – What would you do with more chocolate than you know you should eat? Happy Eating – The YoDieter

What’s better to beat the chill than a bowl of chili? When it comes to chili, I don’t so much have a recipe as a melting pot of what I find in my fridge and cupboards. Today, that means onions, carrots, yellow and green peppers, ground turkey, scallions, plus cans of black-eyed peas, borlotti beans, chick peas, red kidney beans, chopped tomatoes, and corn. I chopped and sauteed the onions and carrots in a big pot, added the turkey, cooked a bit, added the peppers and canned tomatoes plus lots of herbs and spices (cayenne pepper, cumin, paprika, and thyme – i was out of chili powder!), simmered until the turkey was done, then added the drained and rinsed beans and the can of corn. Simmered until heated through and voila! Not only was it easy but I made enough for another night and probably some for the freezer. I’ll top with the chopped scallions and, instead of sour cream, low-fat plain yoghurt! Yum! Any other favorite chili combinations out there? Happy Eating – The YoDieter

I’m sick as a dog – fever and nausea. I dug out the mint tea that carried me through many mornings… and evenings… of morning sickness. It’s the only thing my stomach can stomach. Yes, I was at the top of my 5-pound range, and I wanted to drop a few. But this is a painful way to do it! Arg… Back with more food related posts in a day or two, hopefully. Happier Eating than me – The YoDieter