Many of you know that I can’t get enough of kale. It’s my all time favorite veggie, even said to be the number one vegetable to help prevent cancer. And when it comes to creating and sustaining a healthy lifestyle, it can’t be beat.

I love it’s rich, hearty flavor and how it’s super versatile.  I add it to soup and stews, saute it and bake it. I put it in smoothies and juice it. Seriously, the options are quite endless.

But truth be told, it’s not just about kale. Leafy greens in general, are the number one item I encourage my clients to eat, and are what are most missing from American diets. 

We should eat them for good reason. They taste good. They help you lose weight. Their high fiber content helps fill you up.  Spinach, Swiss Chard, collard greens, bok choy and watercress, just to name a few, are all bursting with plentiful amounts of calcium, iron, potassium and a host of antioxidants like Vitamins A, C and E. How can you beat that?

And if you’re looking for natural energy without having to get a caffeine fix, greens are the way to go.  Eat a salad or juice your favorite greens and you’ll quickly get that natural high that just can’t be beat.

Here’s how I’m planning to use greens this week in our healthy meal plan – in a lentil soup, I’m adding sweet potatoes, tomatoes and kale — check out the recipe from Real Simple Magazine. In a turkey meatloaf, I’m putting in a layer of kale and spinach. I’m juicing a variety of greens for breakfast and we’re having plentiful amounts of salad. And even though I’m not making it this week, here’s a favorite recipe for jumped greens.

What are your favorite ways to get more greens in your diet and what are you planning for this week?  How do greens help you maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Filed under: Greens, Healthy Meals, Healthy lifestyle, High Quality Food, Meal Planning, Vegetables