“But I’m Bored of Vegetables!”
January 31, 2012 in Food Issues, How to Eat Paleo, Vegetables
Funny. Most of us cavemen and cavewomen seem to get bored of steamed broccoli much more quickly than we get bored of grilled T-bone steak. I’m not sure what it is, but keeping variety up in vegetables always seems to be a greater challenge than any other aspect of paleolithic nutrition.
So, if you are bored of what you have been eating, then it’s time to try something new! Have you eaten every different kind of vegetable in the store yet? Have your tried those purple sweet potatoes? mustard greens? jicama? yellow beets? purple carrots? celery root? acorn squash? Have you tried them steamed, roasted, sautéed, braised, stir-fried? Have you tried them in a soup, stew, curry, casserole? Have you tried them raw? fermented? pickled? Have you tried them together? Have you tried them with different seasoning? Have you tried a new spice that you don’t normally cook with? If you are bored eating the vegetables you normally buy, try buying something new. Maybe just once a week. If your local grocery store doesn’t have a huge variety, try the specialty stores (like Whole Foods) or your local Farmer’s Market. And try new recipes! There are dozens of great paleo recipe blogs out there to peruse. Have fun and don’t be afraid to be adventurous!
To help inspire you, I’ve created a list of vegetables that should be fairly easy to find in a grocery store or specialty store near you. If I’ve missed any good ones, please leave a comment below! Thanks!
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Green Veggies
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Cruciferous Veggies
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Roots and Bulbs
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The Rainbow
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Artichoke
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Broccoli
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Beets (many varieties)
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Bamboo
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Arugula
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Broccoli rabe
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Carrots (many varieties)
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Beets (many varieties)
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Asparagus
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Brussels sprouts
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Cassava/Yucca
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Bell Pepper
(many varieties)
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Beet Greens
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Cabbage (many varieties)
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Celery Root
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Carrots (many varieties)
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Bell Pepper
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Cauliflower
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Fennel Root
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Chard (many varieties
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Bok Choy
(many varieties)
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Collard Greens
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Jicama
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Eggplant (many varieties)
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Broccoli
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Horseradish
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Garlic
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Mushrooms
(many varieties)
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Brussels sprouts
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Kai-lan
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Manioc
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Lettuce (many varieties)
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Celery
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Kale (many varieties)
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Onions
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Pumpkin
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Chard (many varieties)
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Radishes (many varieties)
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Parsnips
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Radicchio
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Collard Greens
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Rapeseed
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Pumpkin
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Radishes (many varieties)
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Cucumber
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Turnip Greens
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Rutabaga
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Red Cabbage
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Endive
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Turnip
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Shallots
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Rhubarb
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Fiddleheads
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Watercress
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Squash (many varieties)
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Squash (many varieties)
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Kale (many varieties)
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Wasabi
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Sweet Potato
(many varieties)
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Sweet Potato
(many varieties)
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Kohlrabi
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Taro
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Water chestnuts
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Leeks
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Yams
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Yams
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Lettuce (many varieties)
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Yucca/Cassava |
Zucchini (many varieties)
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Mustard Greens
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Okra
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Spinach
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Zucchini (many varieties)
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Thanks for this. Fyi, arugula is actually considered a cruciferous vegetable!
Awesome! That must be why I like arugula so much!
You read my mind… thanks for the list!