Steve v5.0

Posts Tagged ‘broccoli’

My (just like 110% of everyone else’s) mother was a veggie pusher. It started with the mashed stuff in the little jars and gateway’d to bigger and less tasty whole varieties. There was a time when I wrinkled my nose at brussels sprouts and broccoli (which I called “balls” and “trees”– street names are silly) and just said “No!” (emphasis added). Now I’m totally into them, addicted you might say. Without them I just don’t feel regular.

Today’s Smoothie: Veg-a-Blech. This one had better be good for me.

1S EAS Protein Chocolate Flavor
1S Ground Flax
1/3C Frozen Blueberries
1/2C Frozen Mango Chunks
1 Large Carrot
4 Large Broccoli Florets
1S Crystal Light Strawberry Kiwi
1/4C Oatmeal
Water

Nothing like a chocolate and broccoli smoothie for breakfast.

12 Almonds
1/2C Frozen Blueberries
1S EAS Premium Protein – Chocolate
1/2C Fresh Broccoli
Water

My kids used to call them “trees” and they flat did not like them.  They really weren’t trees and they should like them because, well, they’re freakin’ awesome.

Ah, kids;  so young, so stoopid. (yeah, I know)

Perhaps that was a bit brash.  Young, yes- stupid, not so much.  They describe what they see based on experience and accumulated knowledge- and broccoli looks like trees.  As far as not liking it goes, I can understand.  Broccoli certainly doesn’t taste like anything a that would cause a kid to chase a musical van down the street  screaming, “Daddy, daddy, it’s the broccoli man!”  Hmm, sounds like a Pavlovian experiment in the making.  On the positive side, I didn’t have to worry about my kids eating our landscaping.

I was probably the same when I was young- you know, nut not falling far from the tree and all.  I don’t think I ever came close to liking broccoli as much as I do now until I started my weight loss crusade.  Nope, I remember looking at any vegetable on my plate as more of a garnish than something I would eat- just a splash of color to frame my steak.  Now I love the stuff, especially broccoli.

Why?  It’s low in calories, high in crunch, mild in flavor and lends all these things to just about any meal.  Not only that but (for me) it makes a great pipe cleaner- by “pipe” I mean digestive tract and by “cleaner” I mean cleaner.  When I eat broccoli regularly I myself am quite regular- and nothing is more comforting to an old guy like me than regularity.

Now, I’m not going to go on about that or paint a picture or anything.  Instead I’ll share my favorite broccoli conglomeration- stuff I could/probably should eat every day.

2C Broccoli florets
1 Diced Tomato
1/4C Crumbled Feta
2T Basalmic Vinegar

Toss it all together and add a little fresh ground pepper.  For something a little more substantial, cube a grilled chicken breast or some thinly sliced leftover steak.

Brocolli, Tomato, Feta, and Basalmic Vinegar:

Add 3oz of Chicken:

Or 3oz of Steak:

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