day 11: the side dish

Today is all about side dishes and if you are thinking...BORING, then this will be perfect for you

I think that a lot of people get stuck when it comes to side dishes. I think they feel like they have to make a starch, whether it's potato, rice or pasta, they feel like dinner isn't complete without it. And more than likely, it happens to be a potato, rice or pasta out of a box. Gross. I know for me, it's not possible to lose weight consistently while eating a serving (or more, which usually happens) of potato, rice or pasta every day. I'm sure once I get into a state of 'maintaining' my weight, I can start adding these things back into my diet in small amounts. But until then, I am required to be creative and make my side dishes satisfying and delicious. Such as these...

Fresh and Easy
Roughly chop cucumbers and tomato, in a bowl; drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, season with salt and pepper (use sliced onion or even just onion powder for extra flavor), add chopped garlic and fresh basil. Done!

Quick and Flavorful
Add garlic to a little bit of olive oil in a saute pan on medium heat (this will infuse the oil giving it tons of garlic taste), add fresh chopped zucchini and/or summer squash, season with salt and pepper (again, use sliced onion or even just onion powder for extra flavor), saute until desired texture, add chopped fresh basil. Done!

If you can't tell...I love love love fresh basil! Oh, and the "use sliced onion or even just onion powder" thing works every time!

Cool and Refreshing
Add a little sour cream to chopped cucumber and red onion, season with salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning salt, add lemon zest for extra ummm...zest. Done!

Crisp and Tasty
Chop up your favorite vegetables into large chunks (i.e. bell peppers, carrots, radishes, cucumber, zucchini, tomato, green onion, cabbage), arrange on and around a small bed of green leaf lettuce, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, season with salt and pepper. Done!

Oh...I like balsamic vinegar a whole bunch too! For lunches I mix a small container of olive oil, baslamic vinegar and salt and pepper. If you chop everything when you get home from the grocery store, or the night before, and place into plastic baggies...this is the easiest lunch in the world to grab!

All of these simple side dishes are GREAT for warmer weather and, as we start to move into the fall and winter seasons, I will work on coming up with new ideas to keep you comforted and fufilled.

So are you one of those people who feel like you have to have a starch with dinner? You know I gotta say something to you...”You are allowed to have ONE side dish, that ONE side dish is allowed to be vegetables and you are allowed to enjoy it! It's OK, I promise."