It is easy being green! At least it is today. St. Patrick’s Day is here again, and with it comes the desire to wear, eat, and drink all things green.
Though traditional Irish fare can be a little heavy, we think you can still celebrate the spirit of the holiday with green foods worked into some of our favorite healthy, and delicious, recipes.
Cabbage
It would be just plain wrong to go through St. Paddy’s Day without enjoying some cabbage. Instead of cooking it this year though, we suggest pairing it with another great green food, avocado, in a slaw that works well as a side dish or a topping for BBQ chicken tacos.
Spinach
Popeye’s favorite treat is another great leafy green that packs a nutritional punch. We love combining it with artichokes (more green!) in our healthier version of everyone’s favorite Spinach and Artichoke Dip. To keep things extra green, serve with veggies like celery, broccoli, or even asparagus.
Green Tea
It’s no secret we love green tea. However, one of our favorite ways to enjoy it is less common than the usual loose leaf or bagged version. Green tea powder provides even more health benefits than the beverage, and can be added to many recipes, like pancakes!
Green Apples
Speaking of beverages, we know that St. Patrick’s Day tends to be a drinking holiday. Why not mix it up this year and try Sangria? Antioxidant-packed green apples combined with raspberries, strawberries, mint, and Serrano pepper create a sweet and spicy drink that will look great on any holiday table.
Kale
This green super food can be used in a wide variety of recipes from chips to salads. If you find yourself having a chilly holiday, why not try it in a soup? Though chowders are usually creamy, heavy, and not entirely healthy, this version will provide all the warmth and goodness you want and many of the nutrients you need!
Avocado
No list of green foods would be complete without one of our favorites: Avocado. Though they can be used in many recipes, we’re sticking with the classics on this one, because we know of no better way to enjoy avocados than with guacamole. This dip not only tastes great, but is good for you too. We can’t think of anything luckier than that!
Also Read:
Your Ultimate Guide to Greens: 15 Greens, What They Do, and How to Eat Them