One of the questions asked in the dehydrator contest was posted by Ellen. “What do you consider the most important foods to be eaten everyday by a raw foodist to ensure continuity of nutrition?” Easy answer on that one…Greens. And not only for people on a raw food diet!
Did you know that greens contain all of the important elements that are a requirement of our diet? Calorie for calorie, dark leafy greens are the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a good source of protein, and contain many vitamins and nutrients. Some, like collard greens are loaded with calcium while others are high in many other nutrients. It is interesting to note that the tops (greens) of many of our favorite root vegetables like carrots and beets are actually considerably higher in nutrients than the root. So, don’t forget the tops!
We love our greens in salads but make sure you chew well as greens have a tough cell membrane. Blending them in a high speed blender such as a vitamix helps break down that membrane. You can make wonderful green drinks easily and quickly. If you have been hanging out with us for a while you know that I start almost every morning with a green drink
Eating more greens is probably one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves.
You can find some great recipes for green drinks here: Drinks
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
i can’t decide which i like more, green smoothies or green juice.
Right there with you on the greens, most important thing we can eat. And yummy too!
xo
Eco Mama
I totally agree! Greens are the way to go:)
I’m thrilled because our local farm just put out their freshly grown spinach and microgreens. I love greens!
Do you have a recipe for dehydrated green snacks? I’ve bought tahini-garlic “kale chips” that are wonderful, but very expensive and they tend to turn to dust by the time they get through packaging and shipping. I’d love to make my own, it’s such a great snack alternative, and we’re growing lots of kale this year.
I was raised on a conventional SAD diet — loved all the junky stuff. If someone had told me back then that one day my very favorite “snack” would be a bunch of raw spinach leaves, a handful of dulse along with some chlorella tablets to chew … I for sure would have thought they were insane! Then I probably would have said “um, what are dulse and chlorella??” lol. I think those three things are delicious together, and love to munch on them while preparing my raw meals (been raw for 3 years now). Greens rule!!
Thank you for your wonderful blog, Susan!
I am reading this as I drink my spinach, mint leaves, and pineapple smoothie.
Viva La Verde!
Greens!!! My favorite things ever.
I’m pregnant and have been vegan for nearly a year and I got my iron levels checked and they were wonderfully high for a pregnant vegan woman! Yay for greens!
I adore greens and am always delighted to see another fan.
I often encourage people to start with baby greens if they aren’t used to eating them. Who can resist the sweetness of a baby chard, baby spinach or baby kale leaf?
Daphne
I just bought Chard for the first time & I’m even growing it in my garden this year. I did not realize how salty it tastes! Whoa!
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