Getting your Veggies for the Day

I just want someone to tell me where the time goes? I go to work, I go to the gym, I go home, I start cooking, and before I know it, my evening is gone. I’ve cooked the night away! Are you kidding me?

Now I’m pooped, and anything else I thought I was going to get done for the night flew right out the door.

Still, it’s a labor of love that I wouldn’t change if I could.

Tonight I made a colorful salad of asparagus, cauliflower, carrots and broccoli with a lemony vinaigrette. I call that getting your veggies in for the day! Happy cooking!

Bright and Lemony Vegetable Salad

4 cups asparagus, thin, and cut into 2" pieces
2 cups carrot, cut into 1" pieces
2 cups cauliflower, cut into bite sized pieces
2 cups broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
1 small onion, chopped
½ cup parsley, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
1 tsp lemon zest
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
½ large lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Serves 8 – 1 cup servings, (but you should be eating 2 cup servings)

1. Place vegetables (except onion) in a steaming basket and steam for 4 – 5 minutes to blanch the vegetables. They should still be very crisp. Remove to large bowl.
2. Toss with onion, parsley and thyme.
3. Combine garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice and olive oil to make vinaigrette.
4. Combine vinaigrette with salad ingredients, and salt and pepper to your taste.
5. Chill salad for one hour to blend flavors.

What’s good for me in this dish?

Asparagus tops the charts in vitamin K and folate. It’s also a good source of vitamins C and A. Folate is essential for a healthy cardiovascular system. Asparagus also contains potassium, making it a natural diuretic.

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, and a powerhouse of nutrition. Vitamins C, K, A, folate, fiber, manganese, tryptophan and potassium help the body fight bladder, ovarian and prostate cancer. Broccoli is good for detoxification and stomach health, as well as cardiac and vision health. Wow!

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 58
Total Fat: 1.84g
Cholesterol: –
Sodium: 27mg
Total Carbs: 9.42g
Dietary Fiber: 3.72g
Sugars: 3.92g
Protein: 3.15g
Weight Watchers Points 1

Currently, Kristi Rimkus authors her own blog over at Mother Rimmy’s Cooking Light Done Right.

Nutrition details obtained from whfoods.org, nutritiondata.com, about.com, and abouthomecooking.com.

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