Changing the Meat We Eat: Veggie Packed Meatballs
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. The thoughts and sentiments contained in the post are my own; however, I did receive complementary product and financial compensation for the sponsor of this post, Applegate Natural & Organic Meats. Click learn more about Applegate’s humanely raised organic meat products.
Changing the Meat We Eat: Veggie Packed Meatballs
When it comes to putting more plants on your plate, I’m all for creative ways to incorporate more servings of vegetables into easy family meals. Here’s some plant-forward progress to a classic standby: meatballs (…and my main meatball man Dillon enjoying some Asian Style Pork Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Cucumber and Mango!)
Why It’s Wise to Celebrate vs. Conceal Vegetables
Remember that fad of a few years ago where everyone was “hiding” vegetables in more popular foods kids like...like brownies?
I’m definitely not a fan of disguising or hiding vegetables. My problem with this approach is two-fold: disguising vegetables first and foremost erodes the trust relationship between you, your kids and food.
On top of that, hiding vegetables teaches children that there’s something inherently distasteful or undesirable about vegetables. If we can allow children to explore the many different ways to experience vegetables, there’s at least the likelihood that they may learn to enjoy the actual taste of vegetables.
Instead of concealing vegetables, we can celebrate them by offering vegetables in familiar formats that are just a tad different than what our family might expect or a little out of the ordinary...like meatballs!
Meatballs with a Tasty Twist
We love meatballs as a way to incorporate lean meat, vegetables and even whole grains. But making homemade meatballs from scratch can be a beast...especially on busy weeknights.
Recently we tried out Applegate Well Carved Organic Blended Meatballs, an ideal blend of meat, vegetables, legumes and grains. They come in 2 great varieties: Applegate Organics Well Carved Mediterranean Style Meatballs and Applegate Organics Well Carved Asian Style Meatballs.
Both varieties deliver on taste and texture, while also providing a ¼ cup of vegetables per serving. There’s nothing artificial and nothing to hide...and they also have fewer calories, fat and saturated fat than conventional all meat meatballs.
How to Make Meatballs Into a Meal
Sure you can always incorporate meatballs into a spaghetti and meatball supper. But there are also some really great innovative ways to include these Applegate Well Carved Organic Blended Meatballs into new family favorites for everyone to enjoy.
My son Dillon is a HUGE meatball fan and we recently made Asian Style Pork Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Cucumber and Mango. These were so delicious and they use the Applegate Organics Well Carved Asian Style Meatballs which have organic pork as well as brown rice, green onion, carrot and parsley in them.
If you’re not a pork person, be sure to check out the Applegate Well Carved Organic Mediterranean Style Meatballs. These are turkey-based meatballs that also feature lentils, feta cheese and spinach. You can pile them in a spectacular sub or incorporate into a Mediterranean-inspired whole grain bowl.
Making Planet-Friendly Protein Choices
The Applegate Organics Well Carved line of meatballs are also a planet-friendly choice. The turkey in the Mediterranean Style Meatballs was never administered antibiotics or animal by-products and was raised on organic vegetarian feed on family farms.
Pork in the Applegate Well Carved Organic Asian Style Meatballs has been raised with no crates ever on family farms and fed organic vegetarian feed.
No antibiotics ever and humanely raised products are hallmarks of Applegate meat products that are striving to change the meat we eat. You can learn more about the Applegate Organics Well Carved Meatballs here.
