| While the term "living green" is synonymous with | | | | oil, red wine vinegar and freshly ground pepper. |
| being eco-friendly it also describes the kind of | | | | If you're not from the south then you may not |
| food we should all be eating more of for | | | | be as familiar with collard greens. Just ask for |
| improved health. | | | | insight on this vegetable from someone who |
| This isn't news for most people. Yet the Centers | | | | knows about it and you'll likely get an enthusiastic |
| for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | | | | response. Collard greens have a unique smoky |
| reported that less than one-third of American | | | | flavor that comes alive when lightly steamed with |
| adults eat the amount of fruits and vegetables | | | | olive oil, onion, garlic and lemon and served as part |
| the government recommends. What makes this | | | | of a main dish. |
| even more troubling is the fact one of the leading | | | | Much more familiar to most people is spinach. |
| killers of Americans is colon cancer. According to | | | | Raw spinach is a nutritional superstar! It's got |
| the American Institute of Cancer Research up to | | | | twice as much fiber as other greens and is loaded |
| 75% of cases of colon cancer could be prevented | | | | with vitamins and minerals. To make your spinach |
| by diet. One of the best ways to arm ourselves | | | | a little more interesting add your favorite healthy |
| in the fight against cancer, especially colorectal | | | | dressing. Consider mixing together olive oil, Dijon |
| cancer, is to eat foods rich in folic acid and fiber. | | | | mustard, sea salt, ground pepper, lemon juice and |
| Green leafy vegetables fit the bill for this | | | | pressed garlic to make your own delicious Cesar |
| requirement. | | | | dressing. It will provide one of the tastiest |
| The challenge for many people is to identify | | | | toppings for your spinach salad. Sprinkle in any of |
| enough vegetable varieties and come up with | | | | your favorite vegetables like red peppers or even |
| enough recipes that will be tasty and satisfying. | | | | mix in flavorful lettuce like Arugula and you've got |
| Some great leafy vegetables include spinach, | | | | a delicious meal. |
| turnip greens, beet greens, kale, collard greens | | | | Since the Dijon mustard in your spinach Cesar |
| and lettuces (Romaine, Boston, Arugula and many | | | | salad will provide tremendous flavor why not look |
| other tasty varieties). | | | | to the plant from which mustard originates. |
| For those of you looking for some interesting and | | | | Mustard greens are very tasty and have an |
| tasty meal suggestions for inspiration consider the | | | | interesting peppery flavor. It's no wonder their |
| following less known varieties and food | | | | seeds have such a kick to them! Mustard seeds |
| preparation ideas. | | | | are of course used to make delicious Dijon |
| Kale is a beautiful leafy vegetable that is from the | | | | mustard. To add this tasty element to your own |
| same family of vegetables as cabbage, collards | | | | recipes simply sauté mustard seeds and |
| and Brussels sprouts. It has a pungent flavor that | | | | sprinkle then on casseroles, pasta salad and even |
| is great eaten on its own or mixed with other | | | | sweet potatoes. The sharp flavor will add an |
| vegetables. Raw kale is delicious with a bit of olive | | | | interesting bite to your meal. |