Sadly, incorporating more greens into your diet is not quite as easy (or fun) as amping up your daily chocolate intake. Luckily, it's still possible to enjoy all the stuff you already like (that includes you, brownie!) while adding to the recommended daily serving of vegetables.
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1. Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Sure, you can pile vegetables onto the dough of your choice and give yourself a high-five; but eliminating the processed carb and swapping it for cauliflower? Now you're talking.
2. Vegetarian Enchilada
There's no need to feel guilty about eating this hot, melt-y goodness. Instead of the usual meat that fills up this dish, it's righteously replaced by sweet potatoes and black beans (or any vegetables you have a propensity for). To make it a complete veggie lover's dish, opt for soy-based cheese to sprinkle on top.
3. Spaghetti Squash Pasta
Got a fork? Good, because that's literally the only tool you need to make this faux pasta. Simply roast a spaghetti squash (yes, that's its name) and shred it with your trusty utensil. Top with our roasted garlic pasta sauce and you've got yourself a seriously well-balanced dinner.
4. Kale Fried Rice
Let's play the word association game with fried rice. We're betting your first choice would be pork (pineapple, a close second). Kale? Not likely. Try this once, though, and you'll be fixing up a batch of these whenever you have a hankering for a little fried rice action that packs a nutritious punch.
5. Veggie Ramen
Even ramen can get a healthy makeover with the addition of fresh vegetables like broccoli, spinach and bok choy. Miso paste gives loads of unctuous umami flavor, so you can enjoy comfort in a bowl and feel good about it from the inside out. Want more ideas on how to win with ramen? Find out how our resident food expert, Mary Dacuma, decks hers out.
6. Flourless Fudge Brownies
We told you there was dessert involved! This amazing recipe is so easy and—dare we say it?—healthy. The addition of coffee brings out depth and helps you mentally block out the fact that these are made of black beans.
7. Low-Carb Breakfast Burrito
Collard green is bringing its "A" game to the breakfast scene in an unexpected way. Enjoy a low-carb burrito packed with nutrients by wrapping up scrambled eggs, avocado, black beans, and cheese in this hearty leaf.
8. Morning Glory Muffins
Just because you're always on the go doesn't mean you have to resort to chocolate chip muffins. These are made with good-for-you carrots, apples, and walnuts so even if you're having a frazzled morning, you can grab one for the road and fuel yourself without physically crashing an hour later.
9. Omega-3 Omelete
If you've denigrated this quintessential breakfast dish to cheesy concoctions loaded with cubes of processed ham, it's time to graduate to this wholesome version with mushrooms, spinach, and hemp seeds.
10. Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake
We know, this one is a bit of a cheat but carrot cake is hands down, the best dessert to justify an indulgence. And indulgence this is. Sprinkle some chopped walnuts over the cream cheese frosting and your cravings are instantly rationalized–in case the "It's calling my name" rationale isn't cutting it.
11. Broccoli Rice Casserole
Eating comfort food need not equate with heavy dishes filled with artificial ingredients you'll regret eating the next day. This casserole dish is filled with fresh broccoli and once you get a whiff of it coming out of the oven, you'll never resort to eating store-bought again.
12. Zucchini Bread
If you love banana loaf bread, get ready to be converted into a zucchini fanatic. It has an incredibly moist center and our version is a cinch to make. So really, there's no excuse for not getting enough of this vegetable.
13. Moroccan Cauliflower With Couscous
Who says steaks have to consist of red meat? Take a thick slice of the humble cauliflower, season it with cumin, coriander and cinnamon and place it over a bed of couscous for a Moroccan-inspired fare.
14. Kale and Sausage Galette
We hear you. Just because you want to eat more vegetables does not mean you want to give up meat. The pork sausage in this rustic French dish brings a ton of flavor, perfectly accompanied by warm kale leaves.
15. Spinach Quiche
Who knew spinach could be so decadent? A buttery shell and creamy filling make a wonderful dish that lets you forget just how much of this vegetable you're eating.
