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Which is Best?  Canned, Fresh, or Frozen Veggies

5/30/2019

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The Real Difference Between Canned, Fresh and Frozen Veggies
You already know that eating vegetables is essential for your health, but which section of the store do you get them from? Vegetables come fresh, frozen, and canned, and many people wonder what the difference is between them. After all, aren’t they all vegetables?

Here’s what you should know about each.

Canned Vegetables
Canned vegetables tend to be more processed. While these are handy to keep around, especially during the seasons of the year where storms can keep you in the dark, they can lack in nutrition over the other fresh or frozen choices. They also tend to have gobs more sodium than fresh and frozen varieties. With canned vegetables, try to find options without added sodium to make a healthier choice, if you choose canned vegetables.

Fresh Vegetables
Fresh veggies are indeed a prime choice, but not always -- they can lose a lot of their nutrients before they’re consumed. Sometimes it takes up to two weeks for them to get to your table from the time they’re picked. In this time frame, they can lose up to 50% of their nutrients.

To keep their nutrient powers intact, cook them for shorter times and at lower temperatures. Make sure you use very little water to keep vitamin C and B vitamins from disappearing too. Steaming is a much better option than boiling, though if you must boil your veggies, add them after the water begins to boil.

One of the best ways to get the most nutrients from your fresh vegetables though is buying them locally and while they’re in season. Make use of the freshest vegetables available to you for the best taste and most nutrition.

Frozen Vegetables
Interestingly, frozen veggies tend to retain the highest proportion of nutrients. They’re usually frozen right after harvesting to keep them fresh. But beware, they may be processed with additives like extra salt or sauces. Always read the labels to see what you’re getting, and look for brands that keep things as natural as possible.

You can freeze your fresh vegetables from the farmers market, too. This will ensure nothing goes to waste and that you can enjoy them without losing vital nutrients.

When it comes to vegetables, the bottom line is that getting them onto your plate is most important. If canned is the only option you have in your house while making dinner, it’s better to eat it than to skip a serving of vegetables. 

In my household, we tend to use frozen fruit for our smoothies. I also tend to buy extra fruit at the local farmers market in the height of the season and freeze it so I can have it on hand all summer long.

So, do you reach for the canned, fresh, or frozen veggies?
Hit reply and let me know what it's like in your house.
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5 Simple Ways to Liven Up Your Leftovers

5/30/2019

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When you think of leftovers you might think "eat and bare it". Now, here are simple ways to liven up your leftovers so you can actually get excited to eat them.

If you are like my family, Meal Prep Sunday seemed like a dream idea. You'd prep food for the week, have it all stored and ready, and you'd have a home cooked meal every day without much effort. But by day #3 of it, your family is giving you the side-eye, and you can no longer bear to eat the same dish again.

It happens to us all. We all want to make use of our leftovers, but we get bored, and food goes to waste. Instead of forcing yourself and your family to eat the same things day in and day out, try these leftover tips that will help you liven things up and reignite the spark that makes you excited to dig in. 

Here are simple ways to liven up your leftovers:

1. Add avocado
Leftover brown rice and sautéed veggies? Eh. Leftover brown rice and sautéed veggies with fresh avocado? Now you’re talking! Drizzle on some sriracha too for a spicy hit and facelift on your leftovers.

2. Add some crunch
Sometimes, we just need more texture to make things interesting. Adding a crunch to your meal can spice it up quite a bit. Try adding it to your leftovers any way that makes sense. Look in your pantry for walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almond slivers or anything else that might add a crunch along with a nice dose of healthy fats that are good for you, too. I even love having crispy onions or crunchy veggies atop a salad when I want something different.

3. Top on some greens
Or even layer them below. Sometimes that leftover shrimp tastes excellent warmed up over a bed of fresh kale, spinach or lettuce. Or you can make some quick brown rice or zucchini noodles and mix it all together to create a new dish that tastes like takeout without the cost (or the heaps of calories).

4. Reheat it on the stove
A fresh re-preparation tends to bridge the gap of meh to marvelous, doesn’t it? The microwave can zap the freshness right out of your food, so skip the microwave when warming up leftovers. Toss your items in a pan and sauté it fresh with a teaspoon of olive oil. Add some new, fresh herbs and spices, and you'll have to remind yourself you're eating leftovers.

5. Try a new condiment
Salsa and sriracha can each help dress up leftovers. If your refrigerator looks anything like mine, your shelves are lined with different condiments and sauces to choose from. Experiment with them to create new dishes by adding a few drops of different flavor. It can make all the difference and completely change the taste of your meal.

Give these a try and see if you’re making better use of your leftovers. Remember to freeze big meals so you can pull them out another time to make on a busy night. You’ll appreciate them better when you do!

So, spill the beans. Are you a leftovers person or do you struggle with eating the same meal twice? Hit reply and let me know.
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    Mona Merrick

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  • Welcome
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