While the term “living green” is synonymous with being
eco-friendly it also describes the kind of food we should all be
eating more of for improved health.

This isn’t news for most people. Yet the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that less than one-third
of American adults eat the amount of fruits and vegetables the
government recommends. What makes this even more troubling is
the fact one of the leading killers of Americans is colon
cancer. According to the American Institute of Cancer Research
up to 75% of cases of colon cancer could be prevented by diet.
One of the best ways to arm ourselves in the fight against
cancer, especially colorectal cancer, is to eat foods rich in
folic acid and fiber. Green leafy vegetables fit the bill for
this requirement.

The challenge for many people is to identify enough vegetable
varieties and come up with enough recipes that will be tasty and
satisfying. Some great leafy vegetables include spinach, turnip
greens, beet greens, kale, collard greens and lettuces (Romaine,
Boston, Arugula and many other tasty varieties).

For those of you looking for some interesting and tasty meal
suggestions for inspiration consider the following less known
varieties and food preparation ideas.

Kale is a beautiful leafy vegetable that is from the same
family of vegetables as cabbage, collards and Brussels sprouts.
It has a pungent flavor that is great eaten on its own or mixed
with other vegetables. Raw kale is delicious with a bit of
olive oil, red wine vinegar and freshly ground pepper.

If you’re not from the south then you may not be as familiar
with collard greens. Just ask for insight on this vegetable
from someone who knows about it and you’ll likely get an
enthusiastic response. Collard greens have a unique smoky
flavor that comes alive when lightly steamed with olive oil,
onion, garlic and lemon and served as part of a main dish.

Much more familiar to most people is spinach. Raw spinach is a
nutritional superstar! It’s got twice as much fiber as other
greens and is loaded with vitamins and minerals. To make your
spinach a little more interesting add your favorite healthy
dressing. Consider mixing together olive oil, Dijon mustard,
sea salt, ground pepper, lemon juice and pressed garlic to make
your own delicious Cesar dressing. It will provide one of the
tastiest toppings for your spinach salad. Sprinkle in any of
your favorite vegetables like red peppers or even mix in
flavorful lettuce like Arugula and you’ve got a delicious meal.

Since the Dijon mustard in your spinach Cesar salad will
provide tremendous flavor why not look to the plant from which
mustard originates. Mustard greens are very tasty and have an
interesting peppery flavor. It’s no wonder their seeds have
such a kick to them! Mustard seeds are of course used to make
delicious Dijon mustard. To add this tasty element to your own
recipes simply sauté mustard seeds and sprinkle then on
casseroles, pasta salad and even sweet potatoes. The sharp
flavor will add an interesting bite to your meal.

About The Author: For over 20 years, Diana Walker has assisted
people like you in using natural, safe options for creating
vibrant health and well-being. Get her gems of wisdom and
healthy recipes mini- e-book via her free newsletter at:
diana2.com.

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