As it is St. Patty’s Day, it’s time to eat and drink all things green. Green fruits and veggies are jam-packed full of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and disease-fighting antioxidants, as well as a lot of fiber and water. Now, you can keep it pretty basic, like making sure to eat plenty of green veggies at lunch and dinner, or you can try some of these ideas:
- Green smoothie: blend 1 cup spinach, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 fuji apple, and 1 carrot, with 1 tbs. ground flax seed and 6 oz. almond milk
- Green omelette: Cook up your eggs or egg whites with some chopped green onion, cilantro and salsa verde
- Kale chips: wash and dry kale and separate leaves from center rib. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray and place kale on sheet; sprinkle with sea salt. Place in 400 degree oven for 5 minutes or until crispy and crunchy.
- Roasted vegetable-pesto sandwich: Spread store-bought pesto sauce on one side of a whole-grain bread or inside a whole-grain tortilla, and add slices of roasted vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, tomato, bell pepper, onion). Yum!
- Green eggs and pancakes: Mix your eggs with 2 drops of green food coloring and scramble to your preferred level of doneness. Check out my recipe section for the best pancake recipe and add some green food coloring. Serve with green grapes or kiwi slices.
- Don’t forget about adding avocado to your dishes.
- Artichokes, asparagus, peas are just coming into season now!
Erin Macdonald, R.D.N. 