Jen the Veggie: Where to Add the Kale? Tips for Vegetarian Meals
April 24 2012
Once upon a time, there was a vegetarian who absolutely adored meal planning. Nothing pleased her more than to sit down at the beginning of the week (or middle, or end…) and jot down healthy meal plans in her notebook, dreaming of hummus and sweet potatoes, balsamic drenched salads and avocado on toast. However, the girl realized that not everyone felt the same way.
Meal planning can be stressful – especially when trying to please any picky eaters. Until, the girl realized, the family inevitably found MealEasy, where meal planning was made simple, and of course, then there were happy endings all around!
That vegetarian is me. My name is Jen, and I do indeed love to plan my vegetarian meals.
My secret weapon is that I really enjoy food. Especially healthy food. And when I find an ingredient that packs a nutritional punch, I tend to try and include it in as many healthy meal plans as possible. Take kale, for example.
It’s a recent favourite of mine, and for more than it’s stellar stats (high in Vitamins C&K, beta carotene, antioxidants…). Quite simply, it’s one of the easiest foods to just throw into vegetarian meals and makes planning healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners a snap. It’s as perfect as a fairytale!
Not sure where to add kale? Keep reading…
- Throw chopped kale into a scramble in the morning – either tofu (if you’re me) or egg (if you’re my fiance). Add tomatoes, green onions and even red chili peppers to get your metabolism revving!
- Make a big salad by massaging chopped kale (yes, with your hands – it makes it softer and more palatable) with lemon juice and olive oil and top with crunchy breadcrumbs, sauteed vegetables, roasted garlic or even a poached egg if you’re feeling adventurous
- Mix chopped kale into your guacamole or hummus.
- Sneak kale into your kid’s meals by steaming it and folding into hot pasta. You can even blend it into the pasta sauce for especially picky eaters – they’ll never know!
- Add chopped kale to soups, especially lentil and tomato – it lends a robust flavour that you won’t be able to get enough of.
For more healthy meal plans for the whole family – plus printable grocery lists and customized vegetarian meals, check out http://www.mealeasy.com!
_________________________________________________
Jen the Veggie is a vegetarian living and working in a city by the sea.
She enjoys reading, writing, dreaming about healthy foods and cooking for friends and family.
Thanks for this sharing. Vegetarian meals are best & kale in it is seems to be tasty enough. I like this post.