Every Sunday is like the one before, my wife sends me to the store with a list of items for the week. All the basics are there:

• Milk
• Eggs
• cereal
• Yogurt
• Celery
• Lettuce

You get the idea. Like a zombie, I mindlessly walk through the store, get each item on the list, and bring them home. While unpacking, I start commenting on each item (I should probably write an article on why I shouldn’t do that) and why we don’t need them.

I’m always obsessed with celery and lettuce. They do nothing for me and I see them as a complement to my sandwich or meal. Actually, I’d rather substitute spinach or broccoli for each of them, because I know those two veggies are healthy (as long as Pop-Eye and my mom aren’t liars).

That got me thinking about researching and writing an article on the nutritional benefits of lettuce and celery. Exciting and devastating things, I know.

Well, I was actually quite surprised by the minerals and nutrients that each one contained. For example, did you know that celery is a great source of riboflavin, calcium, dietary fiber, and contains good amounts of vitamin A, B6, C, and K? Neither do I. All of these nutrients and vitamins are key cogs that keep our bodies functioning at a high level.

And the lettuce? Well let me break that down as well. Lettuce contains thiamine, vitamins B6, A, C, K, and (like celery) they are very good sources of dietary fiber, folic acid, and manganese.

So now that you know you know the power these watery and tasteless veggies have, here are some ways to incorporate them into your daily meals.

Celery, when I think about it, looks like the main side with a plate of buffalo wings. Well that may be very true, but have you ever tried adding celery to soup? Your spinach salad? How about mixing it with canned tuna and spreading it on bread for a sandwich? These are all great ways to include celery in your diet without having to eat it raw.

You want your children to eat more celery. I’ll try the tried and true recipe for Ants on a log that kids have been devouring for who knows how long. Simply cut each celery stalk into 3 pieces, spread peanut butter in the gap (or almond butter for a healthier option), and add 3-4 raisins (these are your ants) and voila!

How about lettuce? Well, just because you buy it for taco night and then forget about it until it starts to stink in your fridge, doesn’t mean it can’t be used as a booster for any lunch or dinner item. Make a turkey sandwich or other cold cuts? Sprinkle on some lettuce. Leave a leftover tomato on the counter, slice it up, and pair it with lettuce for a quick salad.

There are many easy and simple ways to make the most of celery and lettuce. While these two veggies may not be the most attractive out there (I’m looking at you radish … oh heck), they still provide a wealth of vitamins and nutrients and shouldn’t be overlooked when planning meals.