Veg Out
According to Choose My Plate dietary guidelines, half of our meals should include fruits and vegetables. Is this how your plate usually measures up?
Virgin Pulse likes to reward members for trying new healthy behaviors. This month, the challenge is to fill half of your dinner plate with vegetables. Each time you achieve this healthy habit during the week of September 18, track it in your Virgin Pulse account. You'll earn 200 points for tracking 5 of 7 days.
Use this challenge as inspiration to get creative in the kitchen. Here are a few ways to boost your vegetable intake at dinner:
- Try a veggie-based side dish, or an entirely meatless meal.
- Replace traditional pasta with vegetable noodles, like spaghetti squash or zucchini ribbons.
- Make a large, dinner-sized salad.
- Vegetable soup is a hearty and wholesome way to warm up.
Need some recipe inspiration? Check out Zipongo through your Virgin Pulse account. You'll receive points for browsing delicious and healthy recipes, like this one for Veggie Pizza:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb prepared pizza dough, preferably whole-wheat
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup water
- 5 oz arugula ,any tough stems removed, chopped (about 6 cups)
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup prepared pesto
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
- Position oven rack in the lowest position; preheat to 450°F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about the size of the baking sheet. Transfer to the baking sheet. Bake until puffed and lightly crisped on the bottom, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook broccoli and water in a large skillet over medium heat, covered, until the broccoli is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in arugula and cook, stirring, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread pesto evenly over the crust, top with the broccoli mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until crispy and golden and the cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
