Greens, Glorious Greens!

Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes life force energy. It is also one of the best prescriptions for improving our health and our diet. That's right, it's that easy: eat more green foods. Green is also the color of money. By Going Green you will save money not only on your grocery budget but on doctor's bills as well because you will be healthier and more vibrant. If you can make just one change to your diet, you will get the greatest benefits by Going Green! • What could you do today to start going green? Let's start with Kale because it lowers cholesterol, provides cancer-reducing benefits, adds fiber to your diet, and helps to detox your body. It's simple to add to your diet because you can eat it raw in salads, steam it in stews and soups, or toss it into a smoothie or juice. Many people are now enjoying Kale chips as an alte ative snack. Crispy and delicious, you can make them in the oven, or the dehydrator. The internet is full of various recipes for Kale chips. Lettuces are a great source of green,We often think of lettuce in terms of salads or as an addition to sandwiches, but I toss it into stir-fry recipes, juices and smoothies. My favorite juice for relaxation and sleep is made from a combo of lettuce and apple with a hint of lemon or lime. Even ice berg lettuce, which is given a bad rap for its pale color, is a rich source of nutrients. Broccoli is another versatile (and green) food. Steamed broccoli with a squeeze of lemon is a great side – make it 50% of your plate side and see how it is filling and healthy it is. Broccoli can also be enjoyed raw with a low calorie dip, or tossed into salads and stir-fry recipes. It is a great source of Vitamin C, dietary fiber and has anti-cancer properties. Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids, antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage. It contains nutrients including B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitami E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid). I like to add a large spoonful to my smoothies. Marine Phytoplankton which supports the brain and nervous system is another important green. I take mine by the dropper and find I have more stamina after taking this powerful superfood. It is obvious that Going Green has many health benefits, but how can it help us lose weight? For this week only put as much green in your diet as you can imagine. The fat content of greens is negligible and the fiber content is high so you will be filled with health and vitality. Many of the greens are anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories and are rich in vitamins and minerals. You get a lot of bang for your buck with greens. Green smoothies for breakfast. If you want an omelet, add green veggies to it. Some people even enjoy a salad for breakfast – no rule to say you can't! For lunch, eat salads with lots of greens as the base; if you are having a lunch with a piece of fish, order broccoli or green beans on the side. For dinner, make a stir-fry with broccoli, cabbage, snow peas, green beans, kale and any other green veggie you have in the house. Challenge yourself to try new greens. Have you tasted arugula, collard greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard? How about bok choy, watercress, purslane, or endive? There are so many wonderful choices and these days and the internet is filled with recipes for even the most unusual green. Challenge yourself to a week of Green and then see how you feel at the end of the week. My guess is that you will notice not only a weight loss, but more vitality and energy. What have you got to lose but pounds and toxins? This week, Go Green!