Eat your veggies, y’all

Vegetables. 

Did you just shudder a little? Flash back to your parents force-feeding you soggy veggies? Cry a little inside?

What's your beef with vegetables?

Is it the taste? The texture? Don't know what to do with them?

This is THE biggest issue for most people I work with. They know they SHOULD eat vegetables, but can't seem to get them in. Unless it's deep fried or covered in cheese.

When I was growing up, vegetables were usually from a can or a bag of iceberg lettuce. I ate them because I knew I should, but did not LOVE them...until I learned how to prepare them. And when I figured out that I could wash, cut, and cook them in one large batch once a week, I was hooked.

Batch cooking is a great way to have healthy foods, including vegetables, easily accessible and readily available. I pick a day, usually on a weekend, and prep the majority of my food for the week. My favorite way to batch prep vegetables is by roasting them -- super easy, super versatile, and super delicious! 

You can totally customize your weekly veggie rotation to whatever you want, and whatever is in season! Wash, chop, season, roast- and just like that, you've got a bunch of veggies for the week that you will actually eat. No more forgotten, slimy, moldy produce in your fridge!

When I roast veggies, I begin by washing and chopping a bunch of vegetables. I spray them with avocado oil and throw whatever spices fit my fancy for that week. Most of the time, those include garlic powder and red pepper flakes. The veggies go on a lined cookie sheet and into a preheated oven (425 degrees) for 15-20 minutes. I like my vegetables a little charred, so they stay in a little longer. Poke them with a fork to check for doneness. 

And yo, I know it's hot af right now. The oven is the LAST thing I want to use. But what if, with a little planning and prep, you only have to turn the oven on ONCE for a week's worth of veggies. And, better yet, you only have to wash, chop, and clean once. 

My challenge to you: Wake up slightly earlier one weekend day, prep your veggies, roast them in the cooler part of the day. Ta-da! You have veggies for the whole week! ​

What veggies can you batch prep to set yourself up for success AND save time?

Roasted vegetables