03/15

3 Quick & Healthy St. Paddy’s Day Recipes

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!!

There is a little baby still growing in my belly, so I must refrain from the green beer this year.  That doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate! On the contrary, I see it as an opportunity to take St. Paddy’s Day to healthy town and whip up a few green treats that will put a smile on your face bigger than a rainbow.

To lead off our green treat spectacular we have a super simple juice recipe.  Literally three ingredients and it couldn’t be more delicious.  Often juices from the store are over processed and have a ton of ingredients where you can’t even taste what is in your drink.  This simple combination of kale, apple, and parsley is the perfect powerhouse trio.

Yes, I said parsley… It is NOT just an overused garnish.  Parsley is rich in chlorophyll, Vitamin A, B, and K, folate and iron.  Not to mention minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.  Kale, as most of us are now well versed, is high in Omega 3 ALA, copper, iron, potassium and high in B1, C, E and K.  Apples are the perfect sweetener for any juice combos and contain anti-inflammatory properties as well as malic acid, which helps maintain liver function and aid digestion.

Parfait, anyone??  So my layering technique leaves a little to be desired but you get the gist of my green parfait awesomeness.  Start with a nice bottom layer of granola followed by a layer of Greek yogurt.  Then a layer of honeydew melon, more yogurt, and then a layer of green grapes topped with more yogurt.  Last step is another layer of honeydew topped with a touch more yogurt.  Garnish with a bit of lime zest and you are in business.  I don’t suggest doing layers of granola throughout because it will become soggy quickly.

Last but not least I have these cute as a button leprechaun hats.  I found these guys on Pinterest and I simply couldn’t resist.  I used Persian cucumbers because I like that they are thinner and have ridges that give our hats a bit of texture.  To make “glue” for sticking the hats together, try a variety of products depending on your taste.  I tried using goat cheese, cream cheese and even an herbed aioli.  I think cream cheese was my favorite flavor.  For the button on the rim of the hat, I used carrot but you could easily use cheddar cheese as well.

What are YOU doing for St. Paddy’s Day?  Tell me EVERYTHING!!!