AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 3 May 17-23

Broccoli Romaine Onions Leeks Brussel Sprouts Mushrooms Peppers love them all 

Not sure which foods are anti inflammatory but try to get a mix of fresh produce

I have been prepping sheet pan meals with olive oil, and roasted veggies. Cutting out the salt and replacing with herbs works for me.

I try to include lots of purple foods as I can. We have fruit plates very often for dinner, and I include dried cherries and blueberries with the fresh fruit.

I was able to dump sugary soda, and then other sugary foods by trying several different no calorie sweeteners until I figured out what I liked best, then looking for it in replacement products.

One of my favorite meals is a macrobiotic meal which is anti-inflammatory:  adzuki beans cooked with butternut squash, brown rice sprinkled with gomasio (sesame seeds and sea salt ground together), and Tuscan kale sautéed in a little water sprinkled with ume vinegar (which is salty).  SO good!

Avocado toast on whole grain bread and oatmeal with dried cherries and cinnamon.

I chop radishes, tomatoes, avocado & green onions together. Mix into cottage cheese, season with a no-salt seasoning & white pepper. I like this as lunch that's easy to prepare in advance & take with me. Alternatively, season the cottage cheese and spread onto toasted sourdough rounds. Spoon some of the veggie mix over the top. Simple & easy for breakfast, appetizer, snack, etc. 

If I must have sweets - I opt for homemade keto treats or buy sugar free candies, I keep them in the freezer so they're not as tempting as in my pantry.

We think the healthiest vegetable, and the most delicious, is the asparagus that we grow in our own garden. We are eating it with almost every meal and are so happy that spring has finally arrived so the we can enjoy this wonderful vegetable.