Root Vegetable Medley: a classic must make side dish

Happy Monday beauties!

We had Canadian Thanksgiving a few weeks ago and I made this delicious root vegetable medley as my guest dish for our dinner at Cruz's grandparent's home.

They almost always have dishes packed with nutrients but I always like bringing a dish that is delicious but vegetable based. I seriously love vegetables, I also love mashed potatoes but when I fill up my entire plate with sides that are "heavy" I always end up leaving feeling sluggish and not so sexy. I think it's also just habit now too that I bring vegetables because for so long I would go to dinners that didn't have healthier options and I would "panic" when I did have a "diet mindset".

Family dinners can be so hard for people, and after chatting about this with my clients a few weeks ago - the tension around differing lifestyles seems to be at the forefront of that.

When we decide to change our lifestyles it can be hard for our families to understand, to get on board with, or support us through. This can be from so many different factors however it usually stems from either a lack of understanding what you are actually doing, a fear of you "changing" because they are stagnant, or from a place of sadness that you are not currently happy.

I always suggest having the tough conversations with your family, which means telling them your WHY. The why behind your choices for change. How you want to feel. What drove you to wanting to transform your lifestyle. And the biggest one, how they can support you.

Not every family will receive this information and be able to provide you with the kind of support you want, however you did your part. You let them in, you got vulnerable and you shared why you are trying to make positive changes in your life. Now, this part is on you - to remember that you do not NEED their support in order to keep going.

People will have comments regardless, so do not feel as if you NEED to drop your goals in front of them to make them happy. I've had my fair share of comments throughout the years and I promise you that they do tend to fade away but each time you choose YOU you will get stronger and feel more liberated.

Oh, and it's always okay to say that you would prefer not to discuss your weight or what's on your plate at the dinner table.

But let's dive into this side dish...

It's super easy to make, cutting and preparing the veg takes up most of that time so blast your favorite music or play a podcast and start chopping. I ended up making two massive trays so that I could keep a bunch at home for my own meal preps throughout the week! It was so good splashed with a bit of hot sauce afterwards too.

Ingredients:

• 2 beets

• 3 carrots

• 2 parsnips

• Small bundle of green beans

• A dozen brussel sprouts

• 2 small yams

• Fresh parsley for garnish

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 tbsp dijon mustard

• 1 tsp chili flakes

• 1/2 tsp pink salt

• 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper

• 1 tsp fresh garlic

Directions:

Cut and dice up the root vegetable to your preferred size, I chunked mine differently depending on the vegetable. Place on a lined tray with parchment paper.

In a separate bowl mix together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, chili flakes, pink salt, fresh cracked pepper, and fresh garlic. Mix together well, should form smooth marinade.

Pour over vegetables and mix well. I just used my hands to toss. Place on bottom oven shelf at 450 and bake for 20 minutes. Take out, toss vegetables and place back in oven for 15 minutes.

Serve up!

This would make an awesome side dish throughout the year and I'm itching to make it again soon!

Hope you all have a fabulous Monday!

Love,

Jess & Cruz...xo