Do you have veggies haters in your house?  Vegetables are one of those foods people either love or hate. The problem with hating vegetables is that they are arguably the most health-promoting food group on the planet. If you aren't eating vegetables, you aren't getting all their amazing components like fiber and antioxidants.

Are veggie haters born, or made? The answer seems to be both. Some of us have negative veggie experiences from our childhood that come back to haunt us as adults. Maybe you were forced to eat vegetables, or had to plow through a stack of green beans to get to dessert. Maybe you were served overcooked, mushy vegetables.  Here are some tips to get your veggies.

1. Add them to and dish you like and turn it into a dish you love, (add broccoli to Mac N Cheese)
2.  Try adding them to any homemade soup
3.  Eat them raw, they have a milder taste. 
4. Take them for a dip, try hummus.
5. One of my favorites, Sneak them into spaghetti, pizza or meatballs
Most people like spaghetti, pizza or meatballs which makes them a good place to sneak in some vegetables. Chop any vegetables your family likes (zucchini, onions, eggplant, broccoli, celery, carrots) and add them to the spaghetti sauce. The smaller you chop them, the less likely anyone will notice that they're there. Vegetables can also be a tempting topping for your pizza, adding fiber and nutrients. Any combination of the following will work well: fresh tomato, onion, bell pepper, mushroom, zucchini, artichoke hearts, fresh basil leaves, and chopped spinach.
6. Stuff them and make it fun, celery stuffed with cream cheese or peanut butter, stuffed pepper or mushrooms
7. Add them to sandwiches, one of my favorites is cucumbers.  Be creative roasted red peppers are awesome too.  
8. Everything is better with Cheese, try grilling or steaming then grate Parmesan cheese over your veggies.

Mince them, hide them, stuff them....the bottom line veggies can be a great thing ....BE CREATIVE!!

In our busy life trying to eat healthy and change our lifestyle can be time consuming....but so worth it! Keeping your veggies fresh longer will reduce your trips to the grocery store. If you following the "stocking the pantry" blog and keep your veggies fresh you can whip up a healthy dinner in no time.

 Store root veggies unwashed. Potatoes and onions should be inspected for spoiled or moldy pieces and kept in a cool, dark, well-ventilated spot. But, remember onions and potatoes don't like each other when stored. DON'T store them next to each other. Tomatoes -- technically fruits -- should remain on the counter to maintain flavor. Refrigeration can make them mushy. Also, tomatoes have a better flavor if you keep them on the counter.

Remove mushrooms from the container and clean them individually with a damp paper towel. Dry them carefully, and store inside a paper bag -- but don’t put them in the crisper; it’s too cold. A regular shelf in the fridge will do. If your salad vegetables come home from the market wet, be sure to pat dry with paper towels before layering in plastic bags and placing in the crisper section of your refrigerator. 

 As soon as you get home from the market, take pre-washed leafy greens out of their containers and throw away any bruised or spoiled pieces. Like a rotten apple, those leaves will spoil the rest. For unwashed greens, separate leaves and bathe them in several changes of icy cold water with a bit of vinegar or lemon juice to add crispness. Let the dirt and grit sink to the bottom. Spin the leaves dry and if you’re not using the leaves immediately, air dry them on a paper towel. Then, wrap and store the leaves in a clean, perforated plastic bag in the crisper section of your refrigerator.
I always have a head of cabbage in the refrigerator ....when veggies start to go south, MAKE A SOUP!!

When it comes to healthy eating, it’s hard to know where potatoes fit in. Many people, nutrition experts included, think you should avoid them if you want to stay slim. They’re high on the glycemic index (GI), which means they’re digested quickly, so you may feel hungry shortly after eating them. But potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium...and a medium spud has just 110 calories. Everyone agreed that potatoes are one of our favorite comfort foods...each of us eats 130 pounds of them per year! Fortunately, potatoes (fries and chips excluded; sorry) can make a satisfying snack or side dish. The trick is to eat them in moderation and prepare them in a healthy way. So think outside the box when it comes to those little spuds, as one of my foodies suggested sprinkle popcorn powder such as chipotle or white cheddar and spray butter!!  Bottom line.....They are good for you!!