One way you’re guaranteed to increase your supermama powers? Eat more veggies! I’m serious, mama! I don’t know about you, but I could definitely use more veggies, in my life. I think we all could. It’s one of the things I chatted about with Taesha on this week’s podcast, and it’s one thing we can ALL agree on when it comes to nutrition. Veggies are packed with micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) to energize our bodies at the cellular level (I know that sounds a bit hippy dippy but it’s science!), fiber to keep our digestive system humming and so much more (like antioxidant compounds to fight cancer and other disease). In fact, I’d go as far as to say any ‘diet’ that tells you to restrict your intake of veggies (or really anything, for that matter) isn’t a health promoting plan. But let’s be real, friend. It can be HARD to get in 5-8 fistfuls of veggies a day without mainlining green smoothies and chomping on salads. Both of which I like, but some days I just don’t feel like salads and green smoothies (and that’s cool, mama!) and though I always recommend experimenting to find salads and green smoothies YOU love, I also recommend different ways to enjoy veggies.
Roasting, sauteeing, or throwing them in another way- like these flavor packed meatballs. Sweet potato adds a bit of sweetness, along with B-vitamins (energy!), Vitamin C (immune health) and fiber, whereas green onions add a savory component as well as vitamins A and K and anti-cancer properties (it’s in the allium family). I like to highlight these things to show just how easy it can be to boost your nutrition by ADDING, not subtracting! Combine it all in a delicious combination of ground meat (I use turkey as an example but these would be equally as delicious with beef, lamb or bison, as well) and curry powder for a dash of flavor (and more anti-inflammatory properties from turmeric, to boot). This just might be your new favorite way to sneak in more veggies (p.s. kiddos love these, too!).
Curried Turkey Sweet Potato Meatballs Makes 18-20 meatballs
1 lb ground turkey (beef, bison or lamb) 1 egg (or 1 chia egg) 3/4 cup grated sweet potato 1/4 cup green onions, sliced thin 1/4 cup almond flour 2 tsp curry powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp coriander 1/2-3/4 tsp sea salt avocado oil (or spray)
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Mix all ingredients up to coconut oil spray in a large bowl.
3. Spray or rub hands with coconut or avocado oil to prevent sticking. Form into small balls, around 1-2″ in diameter.
4. Place on greased baking sheet and bake in oven 20-25 minutes, until cooked through. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice, with tahini sauce for dipping.
Tahini Sauce: 1/3 cup tahini 2 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice 1/2 tsp cumin 1 small clove of garlic, minced or dash garlic powder sea salt to taste water as needed to thin
1. In a small bowl or blender, whisk or blend tahini, vinegar or lemon juice, cumin, garlic powder and a pinch of sea salt.
2. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and add more cumin/salt as desired before serving.
Meatballs: 1 lb ground turkey 1 egg 3/4 cup grated sweet potato 1/4 cup green onions, sliced thin 1/4 cup almond flour 2 tsp curry powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp coriander 1/2-3/4 tsp sea salt avocado or coconut oil (or spray)
Tahini: 1/3 cup tahini 2 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice 1/2 tsp cumin 1 small clove of garlic, minced or dash garlic powder sea salt to taste water as needed to thin
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Mix all ingredients up to coconut oil spray in a large bowl.
3. Spray or rub hands with coconut or avocado oil to prevent sticking. Form into small balls, around 1-2″ in diameter.
4. Place on greased baking sheet and bake in oven 20-25 minutes, until cooked through. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice, with tahini sauce for dipping.
Sauce
1. In a small bowl or blender, whisk or blend tahini, vinegar or lemon juice, cumin, garlic powder and a pinch of sea salt.
2. Add water as needed to reach desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and serve.
