Great Green Vegetables

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing green today? If you're not, that's okay, I forgot today too.

Even if you're not wearing green, though, you should always be thinking about eating green - vegetables that is!

On a day where everything is green, lets talk about 5 green vegetables that will give you a health boost!

1. Kale

Any dark, leafy vegetables are packed with nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin A and lutein (which make your eyes healthy and help prevent certain cancers). Kale is low in calories and rich in fiber, so it will help you on your weight loss journey as well! You can bake kale with olive oil and a little salt and pepper to make delicious kale chips!

2. Arugula

Arugula is another leafy green superfood that is most commonly found in salads. It has the same cancer fighting benefits of kale, and it also contains folate. Arugula helps with any stomach inflammation you might have, which will help you absorb more nutrients and have more regular bowel movements!

3. Spinach

Another great food to add to a salad, spinach contains thylakoids that help keep you fuller longer! Its also great to add to omelets and smoothies. I like to add spinach to smoothies because you get all of the great nutrients spinach contains, but the other ingredients in the smoothie will mask the flavor.

4. Artichokes

When I think of artichokes I think of the creamy spinach artichoke dip..but artichokes are so much more than this! They contain tons of vitamins, including magnesium, biotin, chromium, and fiber. Artichokes also contain a natural laxative, which will keep you regular and help lose excess water weight! You can steam artichokes for 20 to 30 minutes to make a delicious side dish to your meal.

5. Broccoli

My favorite vegetable! Broccoli is so versatile, and can be used in many different cuisines. Its rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber. My favorite way to eat broccoli is to spread frozen florets on a baking sheet, drizzle with a little olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika. Roast in the oven at about 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes to have a delicious, crisp side dish. Broccoli is also delicious steamed!