Greens and other vegetables are filled with nutrients which our bodies just cannot live without. It's amazing how when we are stressed and busy, shuffling from job to home, to class , to job, to pick up kids, etc., some of us actually eat less fresh vegetables and less of a balanced meal period. Well if you are a busy professional, busy mom, busy student...you need more of the good stuff: greens, fresh, whole foods to carry you through your day. So this is the basics of what we were taught as kids. Just to take this advice a "green step" further, how about mixing several kinds of greens in with a salad? How about juicing your greens? How about taking your greens in the form of a "
superfood" supplement in tablet form (hey some people would rather take a green pill than cook a pot of greens or make a large raw salad)?
The green issue with veggies and fruits: buy your produce locally, from a farmers market or buy organic produce. Many proponents or natural and organic foods believe organic is better for you and better for the environment. Organic produce is grown
without hormones and pesticides and it is not genetically engineered "cloned" food. Others believe as long as the produce is locally grown it is healthier than what you might buy in your grocery store. If you buy organic produce, just know that it is organic because its' been certified as such by the government in regards to how a farmer grows their product. Most of us were not raised on organic produce, but we know that the quality of our food has changed from 10, 20 and 30 years ago. This includes produce. And if you are a parent, you may be more concerned about the produce you buy because you want your children to ingest only the purest, highest grade of food there is. And that is understandable.
More greens, more fruits and other veggies means decreased chance of disease, less stress and more nutrients and energy for your mind and body. Now that's eating green!
Favorite greens: kale, collard, mustard,
bok choy, arugula, spinach, broccoli and dandelion. I like to steam my greens and mix them with other ingredients or soak them in a homemade marinade over night with seasonings! You gotta make eating fresh veggies fun for yourself.
Favorite green juice smoothie: Odwalla Superfood! Yum! It has several fruits in it and barley,
wheatgrass and
spirulina. Don't just take my word for it, try it for yourself!
Yours in a sea of green,
DuEwa Frazier
Have you ever noticed that some of the organic produce you buy, comes with special guests? There's a few cobwebs in your kale, a snail hanging off of your broccoli and a crab like creature on your organic apple (LOL)! Sometimes water is just not enough to ensure that your produce is free of dirt and insects before you consume it. You can purchase a solution of veggie cleaner from the health food store, but here's a more simple and cost effective way to clean your produce:
