Beat hunger with beets!

I have always loved beets. Even as a picky eater child, I loved the pickled beets in a can. Their color is beautiful and their taste, delightful! I had never tried them fresh, though. So, a couple weeks ago, I went to Sprouts and got myself some. Side note: Sprouts (formally Sunflower Market) is definitely my market of choice. I go to school in Utah, and the nearest whole foods is 40 miles away, while the nearest Trader Joes is back in California! So, Sprouts is fine for now. They have affordable products and a selection of weird vegetarian health food that I love! Now, back to beets. To prepare fresh beets and make them taste just as yummy as the pickled canned ones, start off with some fresh beets. Pick them out by looking for color, texture, and smell. It's okay if they have some dirt of them, that way you know they're super fresh!

To Prepare: Cut off greenery (which can make great additions to salads or flower arrangements)

Put in sauce pan or large pot and cover with water. Cook on medium heat until the beets are soft enough to poke with a fork. Then, run cold water over them so you can handle them without being burned. To peel, you should be able to just take it off with your hands. I like my beets cut into little cubes, but you can do whatever you want with them.

Since I am a busy college student, I also sometimes used canned beets, which work just as well. (Just make sure to get the plain ones, not the pickled)

To flavor: Use a mild vinegar that is NOT SEASONED. I like rice vinegar, and whatever brand you like or in my case, whatever is the least expensive will do. Make sure that your vinegar is not seasoned. This way, it should have 0 calories!! Then, drizzle over your beets to taste, throw your beets in the fridge to soak a couple hours or overnight.

REMEMBER! Vinegar is one of the best metabolism boosters that can help you loose the fat quicker and healthier.

Quick tip: Beets make a great side for a lunch. Flavor your beets the night before, and then they will be ready for the next day's lunch. I have beets almost every night for dinner so this routine is pretty much a daily thing for me :]

Why Beets?

First off, beets are a vegetable and in moderation, it is great to get as many veggies as you possibly can, especially for weight loss! They also have deep coloring, which as a general rule means more nutrition (at least for vegetables). They are natural cancer fighters and are filled with many minerals, which will help your overall health. My favorite health benefit about beets is that they are high in fiber and low in calories, which is the key to success in weight loss. They will keep you full longer and make a tasty addition to any meal.