Time to Think Green!

Sanna Shavron Lafontaine, RD, RDH

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! 

While many of the festivities today include a green beverage(s) of some sort and for some of you consuming many unwanted calories (1 pint of beer= 230 calories!). It's important to keep in mind that green can mean health by consuming all of those yummy green veggies!

Plant products are the foods that we should be eating the most of in our diet as they have the greatest potential to prevent a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. Plant foods contain high levels of phytochemical compounds, particularly called flavonoids which have high antioxidant activity. Most fruits and veggies contain antioxidants that are key in protecting our bodies from oxidation processes that are quite harmful to our bodies.

The key to eating more veggies in your diet is allowing yourself to be creative! I love a good hearty salad packed with bright colorful veggies. Here's a couple of recipes I'd like to share.

Green Bean and Cuke Salad

Ingredients
3 cups fresh green beans cut in halves
1 english cucumber cut in wedges
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 red pepper cut into squares
pepper to taste
Optional: you can also add chopped almonds or cooked tofu

Dressing
1 Tablespoon of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 Tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon

Directions
Just toss, mix and serve!!

Orzo Artichoke Salad

Ingredients

3 cups of uncooked orzo pasta

1 can of Artichoke hearts (cut into thirds)

1 red onion (chopped/diced)

3 cups of fresh spinach

3 tablespoons sundried tomatoes

1 Tablespoon black olives

1/2 cup feta cheese

Directions
Boil water over medium heat and put orzo pasta into pot. Cook until soft. In a separate bowl put orzo pasta in, let cool and add other ingredients. Drizzle with vinegrette. Toss, mix and enjoy!

Balsamic vinegrette
balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, garlic, EVOO