5 to 9 a Day!

I just can't stress enough the importance of eating Fruit and Vegetables. I grew up in a home where it was the norm to have my 5 to 9 a day, so it's not hard for me. However, I know some people just don't like vegetables or fruit. I think so much of that comes from thinking you didn't like something when you were a child, and you never gave it another shot.
I used to not like pears, cucumbers, and canteloupe, but now I love all of them! I still hate celery though... but I won't get into that! I was a vegetarian for 6 years, so veggies and I are best friends. And I love using fruit to get my sweet tooth fix!
One of the reasons I started this challenge now is because with Spring right around the corner, produce will be abundant, and the weather will be great for outdoor exercise!


To get your 5 to 9 in, and keep it exciting, what you might want to do is try preparing the vegetable a different way! You might be surprised how different it tastes in a new dish. You can also hide veggies from yourself! Vegetables are perfect for bulking up pasta dishes, meatloaf, soups, burgers, and soups. If there are only a few vegetables you like, only eat them, but eat them often and get in your 5-9!


Here are a few recipes of mine that are really bulked up by veggies:
Classic Meatloaf
Hidden Veggies Chicken Chili
Tons of Veggies Pad Thai
Spinach Lasagna
Rice Noodle Slaw Salad Bowls


Here are a few links to help you learn more about the benefits of fruits and veggies, the nutritional information about them, and some recipes!
General Information
Benefits
Fruit of the Month with Information
Recipe Search