I used to struggle to get 30 different types of plant foods in my diet each week. As I’ve been doing this for a while now — and enjoying the benefits of a much healthier tummy — I thought I’d share a few secrets.
Coffee Klatch ☕️
Every morning, I begin with coffee and add to it about 1 tablespoon of chaga, which is a mushroom product.
Two down, 28 to go!
Tea for Two 🫖
Teas count! I usually have a cup of herbal tea after my morning coffee. My favorite is ginger turmeric, but of course, I mix it up… each day is different.
I’m going to estimate that you’ll get at least 3 plant foods and their wonderful micronutrients in one cup of tea.
Add a lemon, lime, or orange slice? You’ve got 4.
What’s the tally now? Six plant foods! 24 to go!
Nuts to You 🌰🥜🐿
We like to keep a couple of jars of nuts in the den… easy access to healthy snacks when movie time rolls around. We keep a big one just for cashews, a small one for pistachios, and a medium-sized one for mixed nuts from Aldi, which includes peanuts, pecans, almonds and hazelnuts.
Ok, so a handful here and there throughout the week equals 6 of your 30 plant-based foods. And just having them around will help curb your desire for the unhealthy stuff.
Ok, add 6 to the tally. 18 to go!
Shoot Some Salad, Salad Shooter 🥗🔫
I’m making a big salad for tonight, and marinating some chicken for Jimmy to grill.
Here’s the salad ingredients in tonight’s mix: romaine lettuce, baby spinach, baby chard, baby kale, broccoli sprouts, tomatoes, cucumber slices, celery, sweet pepper slices, avocado, olives, and green onion.
There’s enough for 4 of us to eat, and I’m pretty sure there will be leftovers for tomorrow. I’m not too proud to eat yesterday’s dressed salad. It takes on a giardiniera vibe.
Ok, that’s 12 more plant foods to add to the tally.
If you count the red wine vinegar I use in the dressing, it makes 13! I’m not going to count the dried herbs, though…
18 – 13 = 5 more to go!
Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy 🍉🍒🫐🍓🍍
It’s summer, and there’s a ton of ripe fruit available, so take advantage while you can.
This morning, we finished a pineapple at breakfast.
My lunch was apple chunks with peanut butter drizzle.
On the dinner table, I set out blueberries, watermelon, and cherries. So there’s 5 more plant foods for today!
5 – 5 = 0! I got 30 in one day! Now, any new veggie to cross my path is just a bonus!
Easy, healthy, and delicious!
The Cancer Canary 