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Editor's Note: I met Nicki Sizemore while we were working on some new videos for the site earlier this summer. She's a new culinary instructor and food stylist and writer who's also a new mom. Nicki is passionate about healthy living--her whole face lights up with enthusiasm when she talks food. I asked her to write a guest blog post for dailySpark. Enjoy! We all know the benefits of eating more vegetables and whole grains, from shrinking our waistlines to warding off chronic diseases and cancer. If like me you have a busy job and a family to feed, however, getting whole, unprocessed foods on the table every night can seem daunting. Well, forget about falling back on processed foods or take-out! With these simple tips, you can throw together quick and delicious meals from scratch that are brimming with veggies and whole grains, any night of the week. Plan Ahead We’ve all done it—purchased an armload of produce at the market with no idea of what we’re going to make, only to watch it wither away, untouched, as the week passes. One way of ensuring that all of the produce you buy actually makes it to the table instead of ending up in the compost heap is to plan out the dishes that you’re going to make throughout the week ahead of time, either before shopping or right after you get home. It only takes a few minutes, but it will increase your chances exponentially (at least that’s my calculation) of actually eating your vegetables. You can get as detailed with this as you want (“stir-fry with sautéed eggplant, spinach and cashews on Monday”) or keep it general (“stir-fry one night, pasta one night”). Then, when you get home on Wednesday night, instead of looking in the fridge and seeing a whole bunch of random stuff, but nothing to make (you know what I mean), you’ll know instantly that you’re making a frittata with the fingerling potatoes and mustard greens, and you’ll get right to work instead of picking up the phone for pizza. Wash Your Greens As food writer and activist Michael Pollan asserts, “Eat mostly plants, especially leaves.” Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, kale, collard greens and salad greens are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Lucky for us, they’re also perfect for busy schedules. Leafy greens are super easy to prep (they can either be served raw or cooked), they store well in the refrigerator, and they’re delicious to boot. To make sure that those greens actually make it to your plate, get them washed right when you get home. Not only will washing and storing them properly help them to last longer (this is critical for folks like me who are only able to make it to the market once a week), but they’ll also be ready to use once dinnertime rolls around (and trust me, the difference between a clean bunch of spinach and a dirty bunch of spinach come Tuesday night can be the difference between salad or, well, no salad). For hardy greens such as kale, chard, dandelion greens and collards, wash the leaves well under cold running water or in a large bowl of cold water. Pat the leaves dry on a kitchen towel (or let them air dry while putting away the rest of the groceries, like I do), then roll them up in paper towels and store them in a reusable plastic bag in the fridge. For tender greens such as lettuce, arugula and spinach, swish the leaves around in a big bowl of cold water, then dry them in a salad spinner or let them air-dry on a kitchen towel. Wrap them in paper towels and store them in the same way as above. In this way, your greens will last anywhere from 3-6 days the fridge. It might take a bit of work when you get home from the market, but come dinnertime, the greens will be ready to sauté with olive oil and garlic for an easy side dish, or to throw in a soup or toss in your salad bowl. On that note… Make Your Own Dressing Now that you’ve got all those beautifully washed salad greens, don’t let them go to waste (and believe me, if they’re washed and ready, you’ll be much less likely to ignore them)! Try to eat a salad with a meal or as a meal at least once a day. Store-bought salad dressings are often filled with preservatives, sugar and salt, so save the expense, and whip up a batch of homemade dressing to use throughout the week. It’s not only healthier, but it tastes better and takes only minutes to make. With washed greens and dressing in the fridge, your salad can practically make itself. Garlic-Balsamic Vinaigrette This super-simple vinaigrette is delicious on salads or drizzled over cooked vegetables or grilled fish.
In a small bowl or jar, combine the garlic, Dijon, honey, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar. Let sit 5-10 minutes to let the flavors infuse. Slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil (or shake it all up in a jar). Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. (The garlic flavor will intensify as it sits; if you prefer a milder flavor you can remove the garlic clove before storing.) (Find the full recipe here) Make Once, Use Twice If you’re cooking up a batch of greens or any other vegetable, make a double batch, and use the leftovers in a different meal later in the week. It won’t take you much longer than making a single batch, and you’ll save a bunch of time down the road (this can be a lifesaver on busy nights). Best of all, you can transform the leftovers into something entirely new, so that those who suffer from leftover-phobia (ahem, my husband) won’t even know they’re eating the same thing twice. Here are a few of my favorite “re-uses:”
Freeze Your Grains While hardy whole grains such as brown rice, wheat berries, barley and farro take awhile to cook, the surprise is that they freeze beautifully and can be a lifesaver on busy nights. As above, if a recipe calls for a hardy grain, make a double batch and freeze half in a re-sealable freezer bag (I’ll make a big batch on the weekend with the plan to freeze some and use the rest during the week). On busy nights, you can then pull the bags out of the freezer and add the grains directly to stir-fries, soups or sautés, or defrost them quickly for salads. With brown rice in the freezer, I can always throw together some version of fried rice with whatever vegetables I happen to have, along with scrambled eggs, soy sauce and sesame oil. The farro or wheat berries can turn into a quick main dish salad with cubed apple, celery, gruyere and chicken, and barley adds nutty substance to a simple soup or frittata. Stock Your Pantry Lastly, stock your pantry with healthy, shelf-stable foods that are minimally processed. These “back-ups,” as I like to call them, are crucial for those oh-my-gosh-I’m-starving-and-we-have-nothing-in-the-fridge moments. These items can quickly be transformed into easy but healthy dinners, especially when combined with any leftover odds and ends lingering in the fridge. My list of must-have “back-ups” includes:
With these simple tips, it will be easier than ever to fill your plate with delicious, healthy foods, even on the most hectic of nights! What are your best tips for getting more veggies and whole grains on the table--fast?  Nicki Sizemore is a freelance writer, food stylist and cooking instructor with a passion for sustainable cuisine. Whether developing recipes, teaching cooking classes, entertaining friends, or buried in cookbooks on the couch, good food is always on her mind. Learn more about Nicki.
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