Go Green for St. Patty's Day

 

Posted by Healthy Bitch Daily on Mar 12, 2013

Pantone recently dubbed emerald green the hottest color for spring of 2013.

And that makes it easy for a fashionable fox to step out in style this St. Patty’s day. But I’m talking about upping your beauty ante by going green with your diet, not your wardrobe. These five super healthy green veggies make it easy to eat green. Eat up and you have permission to guzzle a Guinness or two.

BROCCOLI RABE

This thinner version of traditional broccoli is a favorite dinner staple among Mediterranean Italians. With a cup of chopped broccoli rabe containing a mere 25 calories and more than 100 percent of your daily value of vitamin C, it's easy to see why this should be part of your routine veggie lineup. Saute up a bunch with some chopped garlic and red pepper flakes, and this yummy side dish will make you think you're in Sicily.

LEEKS

These green veggies are a flavorful cross between garlic and an onion, and can be used to flavor any dish while giving you 30 percent of your daily value of vitamin A. Since boiled potatoes are a must on St. Patrick’s Day, this year combine them with leeks and spinach for a festive green spinach leek potato soup that will become an annual tradition.

Spinach Potato Leek Soup

1 lb leeks, washed and sliced
2 T olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
4 cups vegetable broth
1 large Yukon gold potato, peeled and chopped
1 pound baby spinach


1. Saute leeks and salt in oil for about 5 minutes;
2. Add broth and potato and bring to a boil, covered.
3. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender when pierced, 10-15 minutes.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about one minute.
5. Puree using an immersion blender or transfer to your blender to mix.
 
SPINACH

Popeye was on to something when he downed his spinach. I promise you won’t get forearms the size of a beach ball, but you will help keep inflammation, blood pressure, cancer and the winter flu away. It will give you more than 100 percent of your daily dose of vitamin A, which will protect your membranes and fight any infection that makes its way in.

FENNEL

Fennel is a funky looking veggie -- it looks like celery growing out of an onion. It tastes nothing like either, but instead has an interesting licorice flavor. Raw slices of the white bulb make a great flavor addition to salads and add a heaping addition of fiber for only 30 calories a cup. To balance the licorice flavor, add some citrus with sliced oranges or grapefruit segments. Add some pistachios, avocados and a homemade lemon vinaigrette, and you’ve got yourself dinner.

KALE

I’ve blabbed on about kale before, but in case you haven’t been listening, I will tell you again. This little baby might look like a garnish, but it packs a powerful nutrient punch. It's not only a great source of both vitamins A and C but it also has more calcium per calorie than a glass of milk! Since I know you bitches don’t drink baby cow juice, roast up some kale for a tasty green snack, and wash it down with a glass of green beer.

Image courtesy of posterize / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What's your favorite St. Patty's recipe? Tell us in the comments section below!

Lori Kenyon, Certified Nutrition Coach
Former corporate attorney and master of the loop-hole, in 2010, Lori co-founded the kick-ass raw organic juice company, Ritual Wellness. Lori now spends her time producing a healthy alternative to chemical ridden, nutrient void drinks in the market, and writing  to help educate people about healthy food choices.