Kale has it’s place too
Do you want to make easy greens in a new york minute? Now that many foods are in season I have been throwing greens into everything from chocolate shakes to veggie tacos. I am always shoving some of those yummy leaves into my food. There are big benefits. Kale and other dark green veggies contain vitamin K among other vitamins, lots of enzymes, and roughage that is important for stomach and bowel health.
Finally, a place for those extras
When I pick up my CSA ( Community Supported Agriculture- or farm share) there are often tons of greens that I don’t necessarily love- such as beet tops, radish tops, mustard greens or extra swiss chard. I usually wash these, take it off the ribs, rip the leaves into 2″ pieces and store them in a ziplock in the freezer. In the morning I throw them into my morning smoothie, toss into soups or pots of beans. If you are adding them into cooked food make sure that you take your pot off the heat and wait until it stops boiling before you add your greens. In this way you are eating a raw food as technically uncooked food retains its enzymes and vitamins if it stays under boiling point.
Easy Greens in a New York Minute
You can use any greens that you have on hand (lettuce anyone?), the procedure will be the same. Rip up your greens into 2″ strips. Heat 1 tabl. of olive or coconut oil and two cloves of garlic cut into slices in a cast iron pan over high heat. Watch the oil so it does not smoke or burn. When drops of water sizzle add the greens. Stir frequently. When greens seem almost done (not completely wilted) turn off the heat and let them cook off the heat. Cast iron pans can stay hot for a while. Come back in about two minutes. Greens should be very soft and a bit crisp on the edges.
For a tasty treat
I love this shake for the afternoon lag. Better than coffee! Greens+ frozen banana+unsweetened cocoa powder+water= Yum! If you use this combo it is easy to deal with the strong taste of greens. If you are diabetic I use organic strawberries for the same effect. For more ideas on energizing suppliments check my post D.I.Y. Hotel Breakfast.
Use it or lose it
Ladies and Gents, the point here is to use more greens. Greens make you feel good, make you pretty and strong. Throwing your beet tops in the garbage will enhance your landfill only. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to provide your body with more nutrients. It will thank you for it. It only takes a new york minute!
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