Crowd out Cravings with Greens

Hi Suzanne Blogging today ... I am the Nutrition counsellor and Colon Therpists at the Lotus Centre.  What question do I get asked most by clients.  What one thing can I eat to make sure I'm healthy?  The answer is a big varriety of foods.  One in particular is greens.  I ask my clients to write down what they are eating and I see most people eat salad but lack dark leafy greens. Read on and see if you are convienced.

Green vegetables are the foods most missing in modern diets. Learning to eat greens is essential to creating health. When you nourish yourself with greens, you will naturally crowd out the foods that support cravings. Greens help build your internal rain forest and strengthen the blood and respiratory systems. They are especially good for city people who rarely see fields of green in open countryside. In Asian medicine, green is related to the liver, emotional stability and creativity.



Nutritionally, greens are very high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E and K. They are crammed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll and many other micronutrients and phyto-chemicals.
Some of the benefits from eating dark leafy greens are:
blood purification
cancer prevention
improved circulation
strengthened immune system
promotion of healthy intestinal flora
lifts spirit and helps with depression
improved liver, gall bladder and kidney function
clears congestion, especially in lungs by reducing mucus




Basic Kale recipe
1 bunch of kale
1 cup of water


1 Fill a large bowl or sink with cold water. Plunge in the kale and swish it around and remove. If sand is in the bottom of the bowl repeat the process till no sand is present.


2 Use one hand to hold the large end of the stalk of an individual leaf. Use the other hand to strip the leaf off the stalk with one quick motion. Discard the stocks in compost.


3 Chop or tear kale into bit-size pieces. Set aside.


4 Bring water to a boil in a large skillet that has a tight fitting lid. Add kale, return water to a boil and cover with lid.


Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender.
Take care all the liquid does not evaporate.


While kale is still in the pan, turn off heat, remove excess water (save water in a container and freeze to use for soup later or drink now as a tonic)


Add dressing below and serve.


Creamy Sesame Dressing


2 tbs tahini
3 tbs water
½ tamari (naturally brewed soy sauce)
½ fresh squeezed lemon


Mix all ingredients together using a whisk (thin with water if to thick)
Pour over cooked kale and Enjoy the changes green can bring