Can leafy greens really energize our day? With spring in full bloom, green is all around us. Not only are the trees, grass, and flowers in bloom, so are the lettuces, basil, turnip greens, bok choy, and many others for our diet. You may be more familiar with salad greens and may think of them as diet or restrictive foods when trying to lose a few pounds. But there is a big variety of leafy greens and they are not just diet food. They have amazing power, come in many different forms, and can turn out delicious recipes. Nature sure planned it perfectly since spring is also a time for cleansing and greens help us do just that.
In Asian medicine green is related to the liver, emotional stability, and creativity, with good reason.
Dark leafy greens are packed with many vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, vitamins A, C, E, and K. They benefit us by helping to improve liver, gall bladder, and kidney function, along with purifying our blood, improving circulation and our immune system. They also provide us with energy and antioxidants that may help prevent many diseases like cancer.
Adding them into your diet may seem like a challenge. But once you discover methods of sautéing or steaming some of the dark leafy greens, while adding garlic, nuts or seeds, and maybe some olive oil, it can become a delicious adventure. So next time you’re in the grocery store, pass by the Iceberg lettuce and try some fresh Kale, baby Bok Choy, or Swiss Chard, get the skillet out and have some fun.
