03 April 2012

[Veg it Up] with an Extra Cup!

Hookay so... I recently signed up for a 2 week "Veg Pledge" challenge with veggie gurus Green Giant via the Foodbuzz Tastemaker's Program.  Pretty much a match made in heaven, right?  I am so excited!  For the challenge I'm pledging to eat an extra cup of vegetables every day, for two weeks.  Best.  Challenge.  Ever!

Wouldn't this veggie pledge tie in fabulously with our WIAW shenanigans?  In February we focused on giving veggies a little LOVE, then in March we greened up our eating routine by striving to paint our plates with gorgeous green fruits, veggies and herbs.  Now let's celebrate this April by taking the veggie madness even further:



Peas and Crayons

Let's veg it up... with an extra cup!

Even a veggie-obsessed gal like me has trouble ensuring that I get enough vegetables sometimes, especially while my other half is deployed.  Some days of eats are uber veggie-heavy, while others fall short.  Lately I've fallen victim to the lure of the trusty peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which I could easily eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on any given day.

Other eats that have been in heavy rotation for me include whole grain cereal with coconut milk, greek yogurt with nutty granola, and grilled cheese sandwiches.  Wait -- when did I turn into a 7 year old!?  Obviously I needed this challenge in my life.  My game-plan is to ensure that at least two of my meals each day include at least two servings of veggies.  I typically snack on fruit, but I'd like to make a point to eat more vegetables as snacks too!  I'll touch base on my progress in my weekly What I Ate Wednesday posts -- I hope you'll join me and embrace more veggies!

So, since not all veggies were created equal in the size department, 
here's a visual of what a cup of cooked veggies typically looks like:
cup of vegetables serving size portion control baseball
source: WebMD
Other examples of a cup would be an ear of corn on the cob, a large sweet potato, or a side salad.  A good general rule of thumb is to envision a baseball [above] or to practice measuring a few of your go-to veggies at home.  Many of us skip the measurements altogether and gravitate towards anything and everything veggie -- which is absolutely amazing too! 

Anyone up for taking the veggie challenge with me?
Do you try to eyeball measurements or just grab as many veggies as you can?


Update:
Here's how the party went down!
WIAW Veg Pledge #1  #2  #3


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58 comments:

  1. I've learned to eyeball measurements pretty well over training when I was keeping track of what I was eating. Hopefully that lesson will be useful now that I'm not logging it all anymore!

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  2. GothextramileblogTuesday, April 03, 2012

    I'm in! ;) I loveee my veggies.

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  4. Ditto! I used to measure EVERYTHING so I had a mental picture of it all. Now I feel like one of those food network chefs that eyeball all the ingredients that go into a recipe! lol -- though my oil "eyeballing" needs work. I get over-excited!

    Keep vegging it up girly! xoxo

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  5. meghan @ scratch-made wifeTuesday, April 03, 2012

    I just told the husband this morning that I really need to start eating more vegetables. I have no problem fitting in fruit, but some days my veggie intake is seriously lacking. I'm in!

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  9. Great idea!!  I don't measure my veggies, but I just try to eat as many as I can.  I've been MUCH better about it recently than I used to be! :)

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  10. Yay! Girl you've been ROCKING the veggies lately =)

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  11. Great challenge and one I'm taking on this week after a week of vacation indulgence. :) Starting today with a green smoothie for breakfast big miso Kale Salad topped with Buffalo Tofu for lunch. Now to figure out dinner... :) 

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  12. This is a great challenge - I've fallen off the veg wagon lately too - I haven't been feeling too well and I've totally been craving my comfort: CARBS! This is definitely a great way to get back on track and to maintain some control over the upcoming Easter Weekend!

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  13. I eat as many as I can!

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  14. I think this may have to be my first WIAW post.. I think I'm ready. :p 

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  15. Since last October our family (three people) ate 107 lb of cabbage...:) I didn't count other vegetables, I just experimented with cabbage as we eat it a lot in different forms: salads, soups, sauerkraut, baked, sauteed, etc.  :)

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  16. I'm of the opinion that  you can't eat too many veggies...so I go with the grab as many as I can method...though I do that with cookies too.

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  17. I'm currently doing a Weight Watcher's diet/exercise lifestyle shift ... and veggies are my friend! This is an excellent challenge for everyone, regardless of their weight, age, dieting practices, whatever! Good for you in posting this idea!

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  18. I just love your blog, super beautiful and all the recipes are awesome! I have to follow for sure, keep it up!

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  19. ohhhh yes. Mas vegetables para ME!! (language mash up!!) Trying to ditch some extra poundage, so this is perfection!!

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  20. Count me in!  ANd I'm definitely of the "Grab as many as you can" philosophy =) 

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  21. I seriously grab as many veggies as possible. I love them haha. Sometime I overdose on too many veggies and get that awful fiber belly (tmi?) I'll take on the challenge anyways

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  23. I'm so glad you got selected too!  I was already planning out my veggie-filled post. :)

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  24. Love it :) I sneak in veggies (smoothies) where I can on top of just loving them as they are (dinner, lunch).

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  25. Love, love, love! I have been slackin' big time on the veg department. I go through obsessions of my veg love and then I taper off again. I don't really know why because I LOVE vegetables. Guess the challenge is on?? :) 

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  26. What a challenge! I am all for it!  

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  27. I got this LOL.  I made a huge cabbage salad that is going to last all week and I have been having one and a half cups for lunch, then I got a chinese veggie dish for dinner this evening and have had about a cup.  I also have some raw carrots in the fridge so I can definitely add an extra cup each day!  I just need to figure out my veggie meals for next week lol.

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  28. I am ready! I always try to eat veggie snacks too. I found it helps if I cut them up at the beginning of each week, so I have celery, carrots etc already in bite sized, easy snacking portions! 

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  29. I honestly don't know if my body will accept any more vegetables than I already eat.

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  30. I"m totally on board for this challenge!! I've been really trying to pump up my veggies lately with green smoothies! Perfect timing for this challenge!

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  31. I LOVE the baseball image!  I just try to eat as many veggies as possible, but the baseball is a good measure for my husband, I think.  Also, I wanted to let you and your readers know that this week, I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog for a $50 gift certificate to VeganEssentials.com! Just comment to enter!
    http://michellestinykitchen.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-anniversary-giveaway.html

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  32. I'm with you all the way! I've kind of been challenging myself this way for the past couple of months ~ slowly trying to work my way up to consistently, daily, eating all the produce I should be. I love fruits and veggies, but like you said ~ some days I gravitate towards them, and somedays I just don't.

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  33. Veg Pledge!! I love veggies I often come to your blog to cook-me up some of your recipes!! So healthy and fun :)

    I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award!!
    Check it out http://www.magnolia75thebakinglounge.com/2012/04/awards-and-nominees.html

    And awesome blog!!

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  34. WOO!!1  Best pledge ever!  I know all to well how hard it can be to cook when the spouse is deployed.  I made a LOT of chicken haha.  And PB sandwiches.  :)

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  35. seriously THANK GOD for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! sometimes i wont buy bread or crackers so i cant make it [so i eat something else for a change! lol] but its sooooo goood!

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  37. This challenge is totallly helping me on the days I dont gravitate to em -- So awesome that you've kept the personal veg challenge going! Your body is probably screaming "YES!!! Thank you!" haha

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  39. That is hands-down one of the best techniques for making veggies easy! Kudos love!

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  40. ooh i cant wait to see what you end up whipping up! keep rocking the veggies love!

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  41. Am a vegetarian and I struggle with getting enough of veggies. I am with you in this Pledge. 

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  47. HOLY COW!!!!! I barely eat any cabbage -- what's your favorite way to eat it? I need to get cabbage back into my life =)

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  49. Here's to a healthy veggie filled holiday weekend! mwah!

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  50. Sounds good! What did you end up making for dinner? =)

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  51. Dinner was panko-breaded buffalo tofu, creamy superfood grains, & peppered collards. 
    http://instagr.am/p/I-lVp-Qij7/ Recipe to come! =) 

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  52. You are so speaking my language(s) here! veggies and baseball!!

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  53. ahhh i do that too!!! so so so good!!!!!! though i dip it in ranch.. which is like the unhealthiest thing ever =) i need you to teach me how to cook collards! <3 love them

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  54. Hubby was in charge of the collards last night, I'll make sure we include some info on those soon. I've had two bad experiences with collards, but still love them and keep coming back for more! 

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  55.  I love cabbage in coleslaw (healthified homemade version) or stirfried! I often use it as the bulk of the filling in my lettuce wraps - double veggie hit!

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  56. mmm stir fry it is!! and lettuce wraps! done and done

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  57. I am so with you on this pledge! Perfect timing too -- I just changed my bi-weekly produce box from half veggies / half fruit to 2/3 veggies :)

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  58. I'm in! I'm working on eating more veggies, so this is the perfect opportunity!

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