Need Veggie Ideas

**dina** · 12-20-2005, 10:58 AM

We're making a few changes in our diet for health reasons. Nothing big, just tweaking things up a bit. I always have problems staying with the fruits and particuarly veggies in the amounts we need because I get tired of the standard steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, etc. But many veggie recipes have other things we can't have. I'm pretty good at adapting recipes, but sugar, butter, etc. in veggie recipes makes me so angry I can't even think about how to change them.

We're basically talking no refined sugar or flour, low fat (olive oil is fine), no potatoes (sweet potatoes are okay), no peppers, eggplant, zuchinni or tomatoes. Herbs and spices are great since I don't cook with any salt. I need some ideas to get me going. I know I should be able to come up with things on my own, but I'm in a bit of a rebellion. We were already eating very healthy -- the new things just feel like really harsh restrictions and I'm having a hard time, especially since it is winter and I live in the midwestern U.S. -- our selection of fresh stuff is a little limited right now. Hubby's food allergies make things even harder.

So does anybody have any really great ideas for veggies as side dishes, entrees, salads, etc.? Also any low/no sugar salad dressing recipes would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

**Early Bird** · 12-20-2005, 03:08 PM

* stir-frying in a tiny bit of olive oil
* roasting with a tiny bit of olive oil and plenty of garlic

Somewhere I read an article "Cobb Salad 200 Ways." Basically, it was a column A -> column D thingie. You could mix and match.

I splurge for a few items to dress up a plain green salad. Like dried cranberries.

A friend of mine buys frozen strawberries, puts 2 on a plate to thaw, and then slices them into her cereal.

**Early Bird** · 12-20-2005, 03:10 PM

Oh! thought of another 'trick' to make veggies more appealing. Add diced chicken to your salad.

**dina** · 12-20-2005, 03:23 PM

Thanks, that will at least help me get unstuck.

If you think of anything else or if anyone else has ideas keep them coming.

**dina** · 12-24-2005, 06:00 PM

DH gave me my Christmas present this afternoon. A computer file of links to low carb/low fat recipes. There must be at least 1000 in there. That should keep me busy for awhile.