4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

[mitzimarie]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Searching for a "never tried before" veggie. Haven't come across one yet. If all else fails, I suppose I could go out and pick a weird kind of grass (ok... chickory!!) and eat that!

Sal, it's OK to use a veggie you've eaten before, if you can think of a different way to prepare it. For example, I had always eaten broccoli slaw prepared like traditional cole slaw. Then, I got the idea to cook it down in some bacon drippings. It took a long time, as broccoli slaw is pretty "stiff", but when it was done it was so yummy! It reminded me of the interior of an egg-roll. That made me happy, because I really miss Chinese food. So, try to think of a different way to experience a tried and true favorite.

Thank you so much for bringing up the subject of the new veggie, Sal! Tomorrow is the last day of the challenge. I can't believe it... it went by so fast. I'm sorry that I didn't remind everyone earlier about the new/differently prepared veggie. It can be as simple as eating a veggie raw, that you've only had cooked (for example, bellpeppers), or the other way around... cook something that you've only eaten raw (like broccoli slaw or cabbage).

Thanks, too, Sal for the very kind words.

I'm off to try my chayote!

[mitzimarie]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

OK, I'm back to report on the chayote. In a word - YUMMY! I tried it raw before I cooked it, and jimmie was right - too bland for me. HOWEVER, once I fried it up in butter/splenda/cinnamon, I discovered a new favorite. I will definitely eat this again in the future.

Also, I wanted to let y'all know another possibility for a new preparation method for a veggie. On my very first veggie challenge, sillygirl mentioned that she roasts just about any kind of veggie. I tried it, and she was right. It's a great way to prepare veggies. My 2 favorites: fresh asparagus drizzled in olive oil, laid out on a pan, and put it in the oven. The other is brussel sprouts. Again, you just drizzle some olive oil on them, and bake them. Except, I went a step further on them... she mentioned that if you have the time and patience, they are especially good when you separate all of the tiny leaves. Yep, it's time consuming. If you've never seen a brussell sprout up close, they look like little tiny cabbages. I resolved to peel all of the leaves apart, but them in a bowl with some olive oil and swirled it around with my hand to coat all of the leaves, spread them on a pan and put them in the oven. You have to watch them and shake the pan occasionally so they won't burn since they're so small, but boy was it worth the trouble. They came out crispy and very tasty... brussel sprout chips! Of course, we know how brussel sprouts smell... my son complained all night.

[mitzimarie]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Hey! Can all of you see the pics in my post about God's Pharmacy? I can see them fine on the old desktop computer in the office, but when I tried to view them on DH's laptop, all I had was little red x's. I hope that all of you can see them, because that's the coolest part.

[jimmie 48]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

mitzi, all i see are little red 'x's on your article. the words are fine, but no pics.

i have to come back and read the latest posts i have my NEW VEGGIE COOKING. i'm cooking up some bok choy leaves with some leeks and i'll season those as needed. also, i made a stir fry with leeks, squash, onion, bok choy and gr. cabbage.

as close as i can get for numbers, here's my total.

veggie challenge
thursday 13 november
tom. juice 7......7
1/2 c. leek 6.3......5.5
1/2 c. yellow squash 3.9......2.6
onion .84...... .69
2 c. bok choy leaves 3.02.....2.17
1/2 c. chopped bok choy .76..... .41
cabbage 2.6......1.5

total carbs 24.42
total net carbs 19.87

[Georgiana]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Mitzi, maybe I'm late and you took the 'x's down, but all I see is text. No 'x's, no pictures.

Good, my veggies for today were quite boring, but I'll try chayote tomorrow. Can't wait!

****************
November 13th

cucumber - 5 carbs / 2 fiber = 3 net carbs
tomato - 12 carbs / 3 fiber = 9 net carbs
lettuce - 6 carbs / 2 fiber = 4 net carbs
scallions - 1 carb / 0 fiber = 1 net carb
green beans - 6 carbs / 3 fiber = 3 net carbs
cabbage - 3 carbs / 1 fiber = 2 net carbs

Total - 33 carbs / 11 fiber = 22 net carbs
****************

[Skeptika23]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

November 13:

10 cherry tomatoes - 6.7 gross - 4.7 net
4 oz cabbage - 5.3 gross - 3 net
2 cup cauliflower - 10.6 gross - 5.6 net
1 cup Italian green beans - 5 gross - 3 net
4 oz cucumber - 2.4 gross - 1.6 net

TOTAL GROSS VEGGIE CARBS: 30
TOTAL NET VEGGIE CARBS: 17.91

Whew, flew just over today!

Does a new marinade (no sugar, no carbs, home made) count as "new"? DH used a garlic-basil-tomato marinade that he flavored the green beans with - deeelicious!

[blueberrylady]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Mitzi, Thanks for the post about the veggies and the parts of the body. I couldn't see the pictures either but loved the rest.

I wasn't very creative with my veggies but here they are:

Thrusday the 13th.

1 cup butternut squash 16 net carbs
2 servings green beans 4
Total 20
Hopefully I'll do better tomorrow.

I was thinking that I like the idea of being accountable for eating veggies every day that there should be a continous thread like this all the time, like the one for staying cheat-free. What you the rest of you think about that?

[jimmie 48]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

i have to post again.

two words... mmmmm tasty! really, i had never bought and can never remember having leeks or bok choy before. maybe it was in a chinese dish somewhere along the line but i've never bought or prepared either one.
the stir fry came out great and cooking the green leafy part of the bok choy w/the leeks was good. i expected a bitter taste but didn't get that at all. it's something i'll have again for sure.

[mitzimarie]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Does a new marinade (no sugar, no carbs, home made) count as "new"? DH used a garlic-basil-tomato marinade that he flavored the green beans with - deeelicious!

Yes, that's perfectly acceptable! And a great idea, too.

Jo, leeks were my new veggie during the last challenge! I didn't know before then that they were similar to onions. I dipped mine into egg, then parmesan cheese, then fried them. The method I chose was kind of a pain. Zuchini works great that way, but not the leeks. I will try something like you did next time. I love stir-fry!

Georgiana, I hope you like the chayote. I can't wait to eat the other half of mine tomorrow. I know it's because of the cinnamon/splenda that I like it so much... cinnamon with that butter is just divine.

Nyna, it does always seem that there is at least one person who wants to continue the veggie challenge. I've thought about it, and kinda go both ways on it. While I used to join tons of challenges, I don't so much anymore. I work a lot more hours than I used to, and I just don't have time. I've never participated in the cheat-free thread, so I'm not sure how it's run. Also, since the Veggie Challenge is a special semi-annual boardwide challenge, it gives me something to look forward to and plan. If I did it everyday, I'm not sure that I could stay as enthusiastic. Having said that, I do see how it could be very beneficial. As you can see from my siggie, I was involved in a lot of things while I was losing the weight. It helped me to stay motivated and commited, and I know the value it could bring. Maybe one of you could start it? Like I said, I'm not sure how that kind of thread operates.

My stuff for today:
.88 cups pumpkin~ 15.8 - 8.8 = 7
130g jicama~ 11.5 - 6.4 = 5.1
110g chayote~ 4.3 - 1.9 = 2.4
1.5 cups spaghetti squash~ 15.1 - 3.2 = 11.9
TOTAL NET VEGGIE CARBS: 26.4

[mitzimarie]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

that image is the first image that you are not seeing on mitzi's post. i saved it to my computer then uploaded it to the gallery. it's a bitmap image so maybe that has something to do with the why and why nots..... although i really have no idea.

Yeah, Jo... this has happened to me before. When I wanted to copy and paste the pic of me in the ad for our boutique, I was the only one who could see the pic. Tom had me save it to my computer, but I can't remember how I did it exactly. But I do remember that it had to be saved to my computer.

[jimmie 48]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Maybe one of you could start it? Like I said, I'm not sure how that kind of thread operates.

this challenge, is as you said, a special challenge. we don't want it to get old or over used and it's such a great thing to look forward to. a couple of the challenges that are going on now are direct spin offs and continuations of semi annual challenges and usually, they don't fair as well on the monthly basis as the semi annual challenges do.

[sallyseachange]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Thanks Mitzi for letting me know we can have an old veggie if cooked a new way. I'm still determined to find a new veggie if I can. Going to the supermarket tonight to get something for this evening's mean (it's afternoon here, now).

Yesterday's veggies for me were: spinach, tomatoes, onion, celery,zucchini and salad. 25 net carbs.

[Georgiana]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Last day of the challenge...

Had chayote today (fried in butter, with stevia). This stuff is SO good! I'll definitely make it again.


****************
November 14th

cucumber - 3 carbs / 1 fiber = 2 net carbs
lettuce - 3 carbs / 1 fiber = 2 net carbs
tomato - 9 carbs / 5 fiber = 4 net carbs
cabbage - 3 carbs / 2 fiber = 1 net carb
radishes - 8 carbs / 4 fiber = 4 net carbs
cauliflower - 6 carbs / 2 fiber = 4 net carbs
onion - 3 carbs / 1 fiber = 2 net carbs
CHAYOTE - 5 carbs / 2 fiber = 3 net carbs

Total - 40 carbs / 18 fiber = 22 net carbs
****************

[blueberrylady]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Mitzi, you're right about keep the challenge special and something to look forward to. I agree it shouldn't be tampered with. It was just a thought. I will just continue keeping track of my veggies in my food journal which i've kept for years. Thanks for putting it in perspective for me. (((hugs))).

[mitzimarie]

Re: 4th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge

Greetings, Friends!

Sorry that I have been scarce today - busy! Thankfully, my niece gave me some early days this week and a day off yesterday so I could better participate in this challenge. I've enjoyed every minute of it. (Well, except the time spent trying to get those pics to load. I'm still trying!)

Nyna, thanks for understanding. Maybe you could use Journal Stats to record your net veggie carbs? Having to actually post them somewhere for others to see is definitely motivation to keep it up.

Do any of you feel thinner from all the veggies this week? I have actually lost a couple of pounds that I had put back on. This challenge is great for getting me back on track. I'm usually very good about veggies, but sometimes I wander away... and the extra pounds will find me. I've kicked those 2 pounds to the curb, thanks to all of these veggies. Woot!

I have a long day at work tomorrow. I'll be presenting awards as soon as I can. I'm going to give everyone an extra day to get totals in.

I'll see y'all a little later. Trying to decide what to feed the family tonight.