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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Healthy St. Patrick's Day Ideas

St. Patrick's Day is such a fun opportunity to surprise my kids with something out of the ordinary.  I used to think it involved green food coloring, but it doesn't have to!  Food coloring has been linked to tumor growth, cancer, and hyperactivity to name a few things.  Some of the very best foods are naturally bright green and can make things really fun!

A green smoothie is an obvious choice.
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The most basic is just:
  • frozen bananas
  • a handful of spinach
  • milk of choice
There obviously lots of veggies to choose from, but there are also lots of yummy green fruit: kiwi, green apples, honeydew, starfruit, green grapes, & etc.

You can also make a green quiche (or scrambled eggs the same way) by blending the raw eggs and spinach directly in a blender before putting it in a crust.

This quiche ended up tasty.  I just added garlic, salt and pepper and feta cheese.  Sorry for the terribly ugly food picture, I just wanted to show you--it was really green!

Do you have any other fun food (or other) St. Patty's Day traditions?

7 comments:

  1. The boys will think this is so cool! Thanks for the fun ideas.

    Our family hasn't typically made much of this holiday, but this year we're having friends over for a little Irish dinner. I've been doing some research to figure out what to make, and I've learned that the holiday go-to is not corned beef and cabbage (the American stereotype), but boiled BACON and cabbage (if I choose this menu item, it will *not* be boiled, not for what I pay for bacon...sorry Irish ancestors), and potatoes (of course) with lots of butter. And Irish soda bad. For dessert (which isn't all that popular), they choose cakes and pies, often with fruit and/or alcohol incorporated. Puddings too. I think I might try some custard stewed apples or bread and butter pudding or maybe that awesome fermented orange cake from Nourishing Traditions.

    We'll also have a leprechaun treasure hunt. I'm sure that's super traditional. ;)

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    1. Okay, Irish bacon (aka "back bacon") is not the same as our bacon! It is cut from the back of the animal (as opposed to the belly) and is surrounded by a flavorful layer of fat. It is not cooked crisp, but left to simmer for 2-3 hours, much like canadian bacon or a roast. There are lots of recipes online for this type of bacon and cabbage (like http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/reviews/Irish-Bacon-and-Cabbage-107859). That makes so much more sense.

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  2. I'm weird, I think. I love the taste of a green smoothy. I used to make them often, what could be a better way to pack in extra veggies? But to be honest, I've noticed I always feel sick an hour or two after drinking them. My stomach hurts, and I just feel off. What am I doing wrong?? Looking at this just made me want one the other day, and it tasted so good! I thought to myself, why don't i do this anymore? But sure enough, a little while later I was reminded. I know some people's digestive tracts are more sensitive to raw vegetables, so maybe that's just it for me. Just thought I'd throw the question out there, though. Anyone?

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    1. Melissa, I typically steam spinach and cruciferous veggies if I'm going to use them in a smoothie (and freeze or let cool first, of course). Maybe that would help? Try it and let me know!

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    2. I'm sorry to hear that, Melissa! None of us have a problem with it, but we eat a lot of raw, green vegetables. I have heard over time your digestive system gets used to digesting them, so maybe one answer would be to have them (r other raw veg) more regularly for a while and try that.

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    3. Ariel, I actually eat many raw veggies without any problem. I make it a point to eat some raw veggies on a daily basis, including more than one type. The specific types that I've noticed cause me problems raw are things such as spinach, kale, beet greens, and strangely, zucchini (one of these things is not like the other... Ha ha ;)

      Nonie, I may need to try that out. I do remember you mentioning that to me now, a while ago. I'd forgotten.

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    4. Oh, and thank you both for the ideas!! I noticed this issue when I was pregnant with Fred, and it's been a frustration, though a minor one. Thanks for brain storming with me.

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