by Sherry Christensen, Stake RS Temporal Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist

“With St. Patrick’s Day just having happened, you might already have green on the brain. Hopefully, that translates to your healthy eating habits, too. After all, green foods—especially green leafy vegetables—are good for you all year round. But why is green food healthy? And what are the best healthy greens to incorporate into your diet?

“… Let’s look at why naturally green foods are so good for you, which ones are the best for you, what nutrients are in each, and how to add them into your diet.”

Here’s a link to a site that teaches us the value of green foods:

https://www.naturemade.com/blogs/health-articles/best-green-foods

This site (and others I’ve perused), lists some of the best green foods along with the nutrient values and how to eat them.

(Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Swiss Chard, Romaine Lettuce)

Consider the following ways to add leafy greens to your diet:

1. Make a smoothie

2. Add them to an omelet, casserole, soup, stir fry, or sandwich

3. Sauté in olive oil with diced onions, garlic, red pepper flakes and salt  (add a touch of lemon zest – not lemon juice – for a little zing)

4. Use Romaine lettuce as a wrap: fill with shredded carrots, diced cucumber, quinoa, and grilled chicken

Note their healthy meal prep ideas

Wondering HOW TO preserve those leafy greens for later?

Here are some websites that teach you how to freeze them (they will last 8-12 months).

https://extension.umn.edu › preserving-and-preparing

https://thekitchencommunity.org/how-to-freeze-greens-without-blanching/

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZepOseBwsQg

OHHHH: And DON’T FORGET the Green Jell-O™

Boxes of Jell-O™ store easily on your pantry shelf for a couple of years!!!

The image “Spinach” by Kids-flashcards is available strictly for personal, educational, and non-commercial use only.