How Can Fruits and Vegetables Make You Happy?

You probably never thought fruits and veggies could make you happy. You ask, “How can they do that? They can keep you out of the doctor’s waiting room.  Even if the doctor’s waiting room has “really good” magazines like People I have not found doctor’s appointments exactly fun.  Have you?  The latest studies show that “5 a day” may not be enough.  Studies* are showing that 7 servings of fruits and veggies can reduce your risk of death by 42%. That’s not small potatoes! (get it ☺)  I vividly remember the client who counted her strawberry pie as her one serving of fruit ALL week and her pickle as her one vegetable ALL week.  Sound familiar?  In 2010, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that only 25% of adult Americans ate vegetables three or more times a day.

Seven servings sounds like a lot but one-half cup of leafy greens, a big handful of baby carrots, half cup of broccoli, ½ cup of tomato juice or spaghetti sauce  all count as one.  Even if you know you “should” eat fruits and veggies you don’t because you don’t have enough time, they cost too much or you don’t like the taste.

Guess it all comes down to deciding what is important to you. So, make a list of the pros and cons of veggies. Pros –you will feel better, weigh less, have a 31% lower risk of heart disease and stroke, and 25% lower risk of cancer. But but but..cons – you think they don’t taste  good, and take too long  to make and……but lucky you we’ve got you covered.

For our dad’s 85th birthday we served steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus spears (drizzle with olive oil and bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes) and roasted carrots and parsnips (Link to blog post) as sides to the beef tenderloin, shrimp and oven baked Italian chicken thighs. (We went all out, as you are only 85 once.)
For our dad’s 85th birthday we served steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus spears (drizzle with olive oil and bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes) and roasted carrots and parsnips as sides to the beef tenderloin, shrimp and oven baked Italian chicken thighs. (We went all out, as you are only 85 once.)

Tonight for dinner Laurie served grilled onions to accompany the one of the MOST delicious grass fed steak I have ever tasted in MY life.

Brush sliced onions with olive oil and salt and pepper and place on wooden skewers soaked in water a few minutes.
Brush sliced onions with olive oil and salt and pepper and place on wooden skewers soaked in water a few minutes.
We grilled the onions over medium –high heat for about 15 minutes and flipped them several times.
We grilled the onions over medium –high heat for about 15 minutes and flipped them several times.

She served Waygu beef which is the American comparison to Japan’s Kobe beefWaygu steaks have more marbling, as the cows are feed a special diet and are really pampered.  Check it out for a special occasion!

I am so proud of RD sister Laurie Meyer who has been on WTMJ TV in the Milwaukee market for over twenty years. Everyone loves to be invited to her dinner parties! She is the culinary genius behind our cookbook recipes.
I am so proud of RD sister Laurie Meyer who has been on WTMJ TV in the Milwaukee market for over twenty years. Everyone loves to be invited to her dinner parties! She is the culinary genius behind our cookbook recipes.

Guess it all comes down to deciding what is important. Once you decide it is easy. If you don’t consciously decide to be extra-ordinary, happy and healthy, you will unconsciously decide to be average, unhappy and unhealthy. (And probably end up in the doctor’s waiting room a lot instead of having days filled with fun and joy.)

Remember, health is a crown on a well person’s head and only the sick may see it. Summer is the perfect time to polish your crown with veggies in season, farmer’s markets and your CSA and jumpstart your “happy!” Gotta love that!
Remember, health is a crown on a well person’s head and only the sick may see it. Summer is the perfect time to polish your crown with veggies in season, farmer’s markets and your CSA and jumpstart your “happy!” Gotta love that!

One meal sample menu  of  7 fruits and veggies 

  • Black Bean Mango Relish with Vegetable Crudites (2 servings)
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad (2 servings)
  • Brat with Sauerkraut (the Milwaukee way…cook your brat in beer with sliced onions and then grill) (1 serving if you eat ½ cup sauerkraut) and grilled onions (if you eat ½ cup of onions you can count this as a serving)
  • Summer Squash Bake (1 serving)
  • Chocolate Covered Strawberries  (1 serving)

Gotta love it…this is seven servings in one meal !!  Life is easy and we make it hard! Here’s to easy summer meals that nourish your spirit!

 

Chocolate covered strawberries are an easy and indulgent dessert. Everyone I serve them to loves them and feels special. I use Ambrosia chocolate. Melt in the microwave 1 minute at 50% power. Stir. Melt for another minute and stir until smooth. Chocolate burns easily so microwave for one minute at a time.
Chocolate covered strawberries are an easy and indulgent dessert. Everyone I serve them to loves them and feels special. I use Ambrosia chocolate. Melt in the microwave 1 minute at 50% power. Stir. Melt for another minute and stir until smooth. Chocolate burns easily so microwave for one minute at a time.

Read more 10 Easy peasy Fourth of July Vegetable Ideas from my Registered Dietitian Friends

*Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health