Now that the holiday season is over, it’s time to reboot your body. Our bodies need to be cleaned in order to work properly. Eating more fruits and vegetables will help you get rid of all the unwanted calories and toxins resulting from too much Holiday food.

Our major cleaning tool is FIBER. Dark greens not only contain a high level of fiber but they have very little carbohydrates, sodium and cholesterol. Dark greens like Kale, spinach, collards, Swiss chard and Bok choy provide a great source of fiber. They are rich in vitamins A, C, E and K. Many of these vitamins contain antioxidants that help protect the cells and help block early stages of cancer. Studies have also shown that these antioxidants decrease the risk of heart disease.

Eating more fruits and vegetables is vital to a healthy and balanced diet. Perhaps greens are boring and bland to you but there are many ways to prepare a meal with dark leafy greens (see recipe below)

Quick facts on Greens:

• The greener the leaves the more packed with nutrients they are

• They keep the bones and teeth strong

• Leafy greens aid healthy vision

• They help you sleep better at night

Quick and Easy

RECIPE: Parsnip and Green Sauté - HHFM Recipe collection 2021

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Medium parsnips, grated

• 3 Cups of leafy greens, chopped (spinach, kale, collard greens, chard)

• 2 tbsp. garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 tbsp. olive oil or unsalted butter

• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

• 1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

• Heat skillet on medium heat, add oil, garlic, onions and parsnip, stir in and quickly cover pan to create steam. Cook for about 2 minutes.

• Uncover pan and stir occasionally for an extra 3 minutes or until parsnips are slightly soft

• Add leafy greens and apple cider vinegar and continue to cook, about 2 minutes.

• Add fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm

TIPS and TRICKS:

Adding More Greens to your Meals

• Add kale or spinach to smoothies

• Add kale or Swiss chard to any sauté

• Prepare omelets or scramble eggs and add kale or spinach, thinly chopped

• Add your favorite greens to soups, spaghetti, lasagna or meatballs

• Add spinach or kale to any type of quesadillas before cooking

Nutritional Benefit of Parsnip:

Parsnip contains a high level of potassium, which acts as a vasodilator that reduces blood pressure and stress on the heart. The fiber found in this root vegetable also helps reduces cholesterol levels.