How to // Roast Frozen Veggies

My sister-in-law is like the fittest, healthiest person I know. (She's also a Pilates instructor in LA -- so you know she's got some street cred!) We had a brief chat yesterday about health and stuff, and she really inspired me to get my act together.

I have this vision of myself that's sort of, well, incredibly outdated. I was in my twenties, running marathons, lifting weights, and eating clean basically all the time.

Fast forward a good six years later? I have two awesome girls, I still keep at the running, and my diet just never recovered. Overall, I do pretty well keeping active and incorporating good foods into my routine. But also overall, I have a lot I could improve upon that would make me feel a whole lot better.

I exercise like crazy because I love to move. I love running slow and long, fast and short, doing intervals, etc. I try to run 4-5 days a week. Usually 3-5 miles and then a long run. The one area I've neglected for so long is strength. I'm making up for it now with my kettlebell addiction. I have also started incorporating quick and intense workouts by Kayla Itsines into my routine. I try to do either these activities (or Barre3) 4 times a week.

Sometimes I get in a quality 30 minutes. Other times? The nap ends early and I get in a quick 10. But it's better than nothing and I think it's already helping my overall fitness. In other words: Exercise is covered.

The diet portion. Oh, man. Let's just say, I have gotten more than comfortable eating what I like, when I like, and as much as I like. Some of this is good. I don't like the idea of "bad" foods or having things off limits. And I need good sized portions to fuel workouts. That being said, I've needed to cool it with the carbs and sugar for a while. I need these things to support breastfeeding, but the lazy sleep-deprived mom in me just can't get my act together to cook and plan ahead so the healthier stuff can take over.

I mean, when I hear random people say they don't have time for exercise, I sort of definitely roll my eyes. We all have 10 minutes here and there throughout the day to do SOMEthing. Set the alarm earlier, carve out a quickie workout while watching TV, etc. Yet, here I am making a long list of excuses about not having time or motivation to eat well. Oh, the hypocrisy!

// ROAST THOSE FROZEN VEGGIES

I'm trying to do better. Right now, I'm loosely following the Tone It Up 31-day eating challenge. Mostly, I'm using their 5-a-day meal pattern and recipe suggestions to guide myself into better eating. One of the things I learned from these ladies is that you can make a "tray dinner" where you roast a bunch of veggies and a protein all at the same time for a quick and easy meal.

Guess what! I looked up on The Kitchn that you can even roast FROZEN veggies. This is a huge game-changer. It's completely transformed my lunchtime routine. (Make ahead the night before or make it in the moment -- whatever works for you.)


Here's how you do it:

• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. 
• Place a baking sheet inside that has a tablespoon or more oil on it to preheat.
• Put on your frozen veggies when the oven is hot. Coat a bit in the oil.
• Roast 30-45 minutes or so, until browned.
• I like to add chickpeas or tofu to my mix and cook everything together.  
• Oh, and I also don't stick to just traditional roasted veggies. I roast stir-fry mixes!
• Then I like to drizzle on some Mirin, tamari, hot sauce, or whatever else makes sense.

Who's going to try this trick today!?

Also: Who has good protein powder recipes for energy balls, etc.? I tried one and, uh, it tastes like cardboard.