When I was young, I never really liked vegetables except squash. I remember the time when my father was so angry with me for really resisting to eat winged bean with coconut milk. He covered my rice with the viand and I can't leave the table until I'm finished. Afraid of his anger, I tried to eat it. My eyes widened as I looked at my plate..it's delicious! Well that started my journey (often not successful) with vegetables.
I have always been a meat eater. I love 'em, gotta have any meat included in my meal, either as the main ingredient or just for flavor. But things changed these past few months. I had been (forever)writing my thesis proposal. Can't seem to make the right one my adviser would approve. The lastest one I wrote was about antioxidant activity of selected leafy greens. I was able to read quite a number of studies on antioxidants. Though my proposal did not push through, I am happy to announce I'm a convert (but not entirely). The nutritional and health benefits of fruits and vegetables were way beyond what I knew that I now have a different eye for the lowly vegetables and seasonal fruits I see at the market or stores everyday. I have been introducing vegetables to my girls, either eaten as is (cooked as part of a viand) or hidden (as in the case of grated carrots in spaghetti with red sauce). I'm proud to say that they eat them or try to eat them (especially MJ who has preferences). Ysa and Sarhi like to gobble up cooked chunks of carrots, potatoes, cauliflower or broccoli whenever served. But now my weekly menu has changed. Whenever I can, I cook 2-3 vegetarian/vegan main dishes per week (aside from the daily vegetable side dishes). So far everyone liked them. Our favorites were indian tofu/squash curry, barbeque tofu burger/sandwich, chicken ala king (actually the vegetables were the star for I put just a small amount of chicken that it's barely there), and my forte, chop seuy. Still trying to meet that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, but getting there ;)
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