Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Put some green in your scene

Happy St. Paddy’s Day! I so love the energy, the celebration of Irish culture and history… the GREEN. Without a doubt, the world is seen in many shades of green today — even though blue was the original color.

In fact, it wasn’t until the 18th century that it all turned green — bringing to life fairies, leprechauns, immortals, clovers, and, of course, those rich crops (see where I’m going with this?).

It seems like the perfect day to put some green in your scene. We all know how important fruits and vegetables are, yet many of us don’t reap the benefits day to day. Why not start with these super healthy greens?

• Avocados — so good in sandwiches and salads; they support eye health (thank you, lutein), are rich in vitamin E, and help lower cholesterol.
• Kale — rich in vitamin C and cancer-fighting compounds, a bone-health booster, with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
• Asparagus — high in fiber and folate, with vitamins A, C, and K — and it’s delish.
• Green beans — another fiber favorite; they help stabilize blood sugar and reduce cholesterol.
• Seaweed — with iodine (a thyroid necessity), iron, and anti-viral properties, it adds punch to your salad (and your sushi).
• Edamame — a plant-based protein and popular snack; eaten in place of meat, these soybeans help lower cholesterol intake.
• Kiwi — vitamin C (more than an orange), potassium (more than a banana), fiber, and deliciousness; add to salads, cereal, or yogurt, or simply peel and eat.

I could go on and on… but just remember that today is a great day to celebrate a beautiful culture along with some GREEN — and to start folding more nutrients into our lives on a regular basis.

A few St. Patrick’s Day facts

As I mentioned, blue was the original color of St. Patrick’s Day — because the knights of the Order of St. Patrick actually wore blue.

This may be obvious, but never say “St. Patty’s” Day. You can say St. Patrick’s Day, St. Paddy’s Day, or St. Pat’s Day — but Patty is a nickname for Patricia, and not quite right for St. Patrick (even though legend has it he was born Maewyn Succat).

St. Patrick wasn’t born in Ireland; he was born in Britain. Corned beef and cabbage is an American tradition. And it’s estimated that only 1 in every 10,000 clovers has four leaves — but a shamrock has three leaves, not four, so it’s all good.

Wishing you and yours a happy, safe, and green St. Paddy’s Day! May the luck — and the nutrients — be with you today and always.