Go Green!
I don’t know about you, but I love March! Spring is here, days are longer, and it’s the only time of the year where it’s normal for your beer to be green. :)
Speaking of green, another reason why I love this month is because there are so many fresh green veggies. Leafy greens boost your immune system and are essential for a healthy body, but many of us unfortunately don’t eat enough of them.
Let’s be honest... when you hear the words “green vegetables”, do you automatically think of bland and boring? Do celery sticks come to mind? Or are you envisioning that sad, iceberg lettuce salad with a sprinkle of grated carrots, an unripe tomato, and stale croutons? I also would be avoiding greens at all costs if that’s all that was available. Forget that image! There are so many delicious greens and countless ways for you to start incorporating them into your meals one day at a time.
Some of my favorites include: Spinach, Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Artichokes, Green Beans, Arugula, Bok Choy, Endive, Swiss Chard -- and there are so many more!
Experiment with new greens you’ve never tried and change it up each day so that you don’t get bored. See which ones you enjoy the most. The more variety you have in your diet the more health benefits you will receive from the wide array of nutrients. As with creating any new habit, take it one day at a time.
Below are a few ways for you to gradually incorporate nutritious greens into your diet one meal at a time.
Start with breakfast - Start your day on the right foot by adding greens first thing in the morning. Add greens to your eggs or toss them into a smoothie. Use a green powder such as See my favorite smoothies or easy egg muffin recipe.
Have fun with salads - Keep it raw or add in cooked vegetables. Make it savory or sweet to your liking. Top it off with some nuts or seeds for additional crunch. Try some quick make-ahead mason jar salads! Click here to get creative and design your own!
Wrap it up or sandwich it – Add a variety of greens to your whole grain wrap or sandwich. Add them to your chicken, turkey, tuna, or to your burger. See some delicious ideas here.
Dip it - Enjoy green veggies such as green beans, snow peas, broccoli, or celery with guacamole, hummus, or nut butter.
Use various cooking methods – Experiment with quick cooking methods such as steaming, sautéing, roasting, or grilling. Roasting and sautéing are my personal quick weeknight go-to’s. Check out my favorite roasted brussels sprouts recipe.
Make a bowl –Use whole grain rice or quinoa, add a protein of your choice, throw in leftover cooked veggies, and drizzle with tahini. Super savory and filling! Check out some delicious lunch and dinner bowl ideas!
I’m a big believer in gradually adding in greens to your diet to naturally crowd out the sugar and processed foods. Have the burger with a side salad or cooked vegetables instead of the fries. Enjoy your steak with roasted asparagus, broccoli, or sautéed string beans. Add spinach to your pizza or pasta.
The most important thing is to start with something, and find enjoyable ways to continue to incorporate greens into your life. Go green!