Thursday, February 3, 2011

McSteamy Those Veggies

I am a vegetable freak. I love them. Aside from celery, which I think was God's experimental vegetable and will suffer through if necessary...I can't think of a vegetable that I don't like. Vegetables can take time to prep if you aren't eating them fresh, so I've had to figure out the most time efficient way to get my veggies cooked ASAP. I know all y'all are just as busy, so I thought I'd share my super quick trick to steaming my vegetables.
 I just use tupperwares for this. I have steamed broccoli and carrots almost every day with my lunch, so this is my method.
By leaving one corner of the tupperware slightly undone you won't risk the hot air blowing the lid off. Although this may be purely entertaining to your kids if you wish to try it out.
 I always drain the water out of the tupperware by hand and then wrap the veggies up in a paper towel for a sec to get off the excess water. I don't like wet soggy vegetables. You could definitely use a colander or strainer here...neither of which I have, so I go Bounty. I also don't like doing 9 million dishes, and this cuts down on that.
 I love my steamed veggies over fresh spinach with a little drizzle of fat free honey dijon dressing, or some salsa... and there you have it. The easiest way to steam your veggies...ever. The quicker the food is on my plate/in my stomach the better. You can also use a ziplock bag or the steam fresh bags to do the same thing.

I decided that I am going to try and bring my boot campers a new healthy recipe once a week to try, and tonight it was my fave low-fat banana chocolate chip muffins. They are whole wheat and super delish. I like making muffins vs. bread because I can freeze them and eat them over a longer span of time, and they are portion controlled.
Low Fat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:
2 egg whites
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
¼ cup fat free milk
½ cup sugar
2 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 ½ cup whole-wheat flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ cup chocolate chips
Directions Mix wet ingredients first. Add dry ingredients Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Makes 16 muffins.
Nutrition Facts: (for one muffin) Calories: 99 Fat 1 g Carbs: 20.9 g Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 9.7 g Protein: 2.1 g


 I was leaving to go back to work tonight and there was a package that had come for me. Remember me telling you how much my mom loves holidays? Well, she always sends all of us kids holiday packages, and my Valentines day package came today!! It was the best surprise. My mom is seriously the greatest. Decorations, a heart shaped mixing bowl, a cake pops form pan, cupcake liners, and a jar of holiday candy to set out. Is it sad that I get so excited to put out the cute holiday candy that I don't even care that I'm not eating it? Probably.
Thank you so much mom. You absolutely made my day!!

You want to know what else made my day?? All of my new followers and bloggy friends that entered the February Favorites Mix Giveaway...(which btw if you haven't entered yet you should.) I am SO excited to get to know all of you and read all of your awesome blogs!!

What is your favorite way to eat your vegetables? I think roasted is my favorite. I love this vegetable bake that my mom created. I really like fresh veggies in a salad bar too! Do you like banana bread? I think it is has one of the most heavenly smells that baked goods can have. I was just thinking how yummy it would be to make french toast with banana bread. I think I am always dreaming about food. ;)

18 comments:

COLORADOctor said...

I make broc for dinner that way almost every night! Throw it in a bowl of low sodium tomato soup w/ some nutritional yeast and I'm dunzo. For lunch I love spinach salads w/ yum toppings. Those muffins are so pretty- and chyea I like banana bread ;-)

Jenn said...

Oh, I love broccoli these days and I never know how to make them steamed...Thanks so much for the best idea!! I really like to eat protien shakes for lunch... and those muffins look so yummy!!
:)

Sarah said...

9 times out of 10 i steam my veggies. But i just discovered my oven and am LOVING roasted cauliflower and broccoli.

Kimberly @ Im Not Done said...

Definitely roasted.

We subscribe to a veggie delivery service where we get seasonal local veggies. Whenever I get a new veggie that I don't know how to cook, I just roast it!

A Prelude To... said...

My veggie consumption used to be corn, potatoes and tomatoes. That's it. Oh...and sometimes iceberg lettuce.

Things have sure changed! There are still a few things I can't stomach - like beets, and for the most part I prefer my veggies raw.

Now banana bread? I can almost smell it from here. YUM!

OneLoveSarah said...

I love banana banana bread, but i usually never have any super ripe bananas around. Probably for the best. I used to steam in a ziplock/tupperware at work. My fav thing to steam... edamame

Stephanie said...

I am raising my hand and waving it! I love veggies! (roasted is best) And Banana bread = heaven. Especially when you add chocolate chips. :)

Benita said...

those muffins were sooooo good. you know what else we need to make soon? bran muffins, also great. Elaine is adorable, i love those holiday surprises.

Unprofessional said...

Those muffins look delicious! I bought a veggie steamer for $5...water on the bottom, grated plastic plate on the top, plastic cover, throw in the microwave for 5 minutes, VOILA! Perfectly steamed veggies!

Mara Campbell said...

That's how I steam veggies too!!! Quick and easy, I love it. And I am definitely trying your muffin recipe. I love banana bread and it's already great with chocolate chips added or blueberries added.

And I agree about celery...yucko!!! :-)

Jen said...

That's how I steam my veggies too. But I don't mind them being all soggy. I like the juice. Gross huh.
I'm going to have to try out those muffins. Yum!

Momma got the runs said...

Marinate a zillion veggies in ff itallian dressing overnight and bbq them. Ohhhhhh baby. Especially the squash--they get all squashalicious. You can also do em' in the oven. I like to roast them once a week and then put them in egg white omlettes, or wraps or whatever!

Jody @ Raising Fin and Fish said...

Crazy. I just (like 5 minutes ago) pulled out some banana chocolate chip muffins out of the oven for a future blog post. Too bad I didn't read this post sooner or I would have used your recipe!

Shannon said...

Banana bread is amazing, and you can bet I'm going to be making these muffins.

I'm going to have to try roasting veggies, I've actually never done it before. I know I've had them roasted, but never done it myself.

Also, I agree, I'm not cut out for cold either. I am so ready for spring and 60-70 degree weather!

The Smith Clan said...

Megs, you are so adorable! I love you and love your blog1 It is so hot!

Amanda@runninghood said...

I must make this banana muffin recipe. I always have rotting bananas on my counter...thanks!

Heather -Momma Running Amok said...

I am a huge fan of roasting veggies...zucchini, asparagus, broccoli and green beans are my favorite. A little olive oil, salt and pepper and into the over for 15 minutes or so. Lately also my garden has been shelling out HUGE cauliflower and broccoli so I have been making puree soups with chicken stock. The muffins look great. do you bake with brown rice syrup or agave nectar ever???

Anonymous said...

I am a veggie freak too. If I don't have fresh or frozen fruit and veggies on hand, I go nuts.

Dan pretty much hates all cooked veggies. He is a freak of nature.