Need more energy now? The number one thing you can do today to improve your health and boost your energy is eat leafy greens. This simple easy act has powerful implications and one that you should seriously consider to have lasting energy {no joke}.
In his book, Integrative Nutrition, author Joshua Rosenthal describes it this way: “Greens help build our internal rainforest and strengthen our circulatory and respiratory system.” He goes on to say that the color green aligns with spring, “a time of renewal, refreshment, and vital energy.”
Indeed, the list of beneficial properties offered by greens is long and includes everything from improving circulation and liver function to strengthening the immune system, clearing congestion, and promoting healthy gut flora.
Greens provide a whole host of valuable nutrients, micronutrients, and phytonutrients such as:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Phosphorous
- Zinc
- Vitamins A, C, and K
- Fiber
- Folate
- Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll {found in all green vegetables} is a powerful blood builder akin to liquid oxygen {hense more energy through your body}! If you are trying to get pregnant, you can benefit from the high folate content in greens. And if you need to increase your calcium intake, leafy greens beats milk because it doesn’t put the body into an acidic state the way dairy does. Greens with significant amounts of calcium include cooked beet greens, kale, dandelion greens, collards, parsley, turnip greens, and watercress. {An interesting side note: the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who said “let food be thy medicine,” relied so heavily on the healing powers of watercress that he built his first hospital next to a stream so he could grow it.}
Other greens to rotate into your diet include spinach, cabbage, swiss chard, mesclun, bok choy, broccoli, and broccoli rabe.
Wondering how to get started? Here are some easy ways to eat more greens:
-Drink them in the morning! Start off your day with an alkalizing green smoothie by mixing the following ingredients in a high-speed blender:
Handful spinach, kale, or Swiss chard
Handful parsley or cilantro or mint
1-2 stalks organic celery
1 organic apple (peeled and cored)
Juice of 1 lemon
Thumb-sized knob of fresh ginger (peeled)
Filtered water (amount depends on desired thickness)
You can even add a scoop of protein powder for kicks!
-Drink the broth or “tea” that’s leftover in the pan after briefly steaming or boiling your greens. Or make it the base of your broth soups.
-Grow your own greens either in a container on your porch, in a raised garden bed in your yard, or in a community garden. Alternatively, seek out fresh greens at the farmer’s market or join a CSA to ensure regular delivery of them!
-Get into the habit of having a simple raw mixed greens or kale salad with lunch and dinner.
-Add such green algae superfood supplements as spirulina and chlorella to your daily routine for an added dose of disease-fighting phytochemicals {think adding to smoothies}.
Once you crowd out other foods with these nourishing plant-based power packed options, you’ll be glowing with so much positive energy your friends will be green with envy. 🙂
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Resources
Greens Glorious Greens by Johnna Albi: http://www.amazon.com/Greens-Glorious-Great-Tasting-Super-Healthy-Beautiful/dp/0312141084
Eat More Kale: http://eatmorekale.com/
Author’s content used under license, © 2012 Sprouted Content, LLC
