Okay, okay, okay! I know I’m a Health Coach and haven’t said a word about vegetables in my first 12 blogs. I’ll be honest, I avoided vegetables for a good part of my life because they were… well… vegetables. And then one day, my blood tests showed my triglyceride levels were WAY high and I became an overnight vegetarian (two days after my husband bought a smoker). This way of eating served me for five years. But, as my body changed, it demanded I go back to eating meat (and it was not in a nice way), so I did. My health improved drastically. The best thing that came out of my experience is that I now have a healthy relationship with vegetables. I know that I need to fill my plate or bowl with them, I know how to make them delectable, and I know that I need to eat a variety of them.

You know that you need to eat vegetables, and likely more of them, so lets talk variety. It is the spice of life, after all. Vegetables come in all colors of the rainbow and that’s the way nature intended it. Vegetables fall into five different color categories: red, purple/blue, orange/yellow, green, and white/brown. Each color carries its own set of unique disease fighting chemicals called phytochemicals. It is these phytochemicals that give vegetables their vibrant color and, of course, some of their healthy properties.

Red vegetables help fight cancer, reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, and improve skin quality. Yellow and orange vegetables improve immune function, reduce the risk of heart disease, and promote eye health. Green vegetables boost the immune system, help detoxify the body, and restore energy and vitality. Purple and blue vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, support cognition, decrease inflammation, and improve skin health. Brown and white colored vegetables protect against certain cancers, keep bones strong, and are a heart-healthy choice. As a woman over 50, veggies can help you “squash” these common health concerns!

Your next vibrant habit is to starting eating vegetables that span a variety of colors. Make it simple by adding one new red veggie this week and keep adding new colored vegetables each week. Or, go all out and make a recipe that includes several vegetables each week. Vegetable soup, vegetable wrap, salad, veggie stir fry, vegetable burger, grilled or roasted veggies, vegetable frittata, veggie pot pie, and the list goes on. You can add vegetables to your scrambled eggs, chili, lasagna, sandwiches, pizza, tacos, soups, etc. Oh the possibilities! So start eating the vegetable rainbow and find that pot o’ health at the end!

Recipes that are veggie filled are easy to find… try one from this site!