Green Fruits and Veggies

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has the power to lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. And while plenty of fruits and vegetables are good for your body, it’s the green ones, specifically, that are some of the most nutrient-rich.

If you’re looking to incorporate some more greens into your diet, you can do so by just adding a few extra veggies to the side of your meals or you can make them the star of the show by creating one of these delicious meals, where green fruits and veggies take center stage.

Super green fruits and vegetables

Avocados are high in vitamins A, E, and K, as well as dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol.

Grapes are rich in the polyphenolic phytochemical compound resveratrol. Resveratrol has been found to protect against coronary heart disease, as well as colon and prostate cancer.

Cantaloupes are an excellent source of vitamin A, which can help maintain your eye and skin health.

Peas have tons of vitamins packed into their little shells, like vitamin K, B1, C, B6, zinc, magnesium, protein, and potassium.

Kale is high in fiber, low in calories, and has zero fat - making it one of the best foods for people trying to lose a few pounds.

Green Fruits, Foods & Veggies

Brussels Sprouts

Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
• 1 pound trimmed Brussels sprouts
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten

Instructions:

Step 1: Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

Step 2: In a separate large bowl, combine your panko, Parmesan, and cajun seasoning.

Step 3: One at a time, take a Brussels sprout and coat it in flour, then eggs, then your Panko seasoning mixture.

Step 4: Place your coated Brussels sprouts in the heated vegetable oil for about 4 minutes (for the best results, flip each sprout after 2 minutes).

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed
• 1 pound large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 2: Add the Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes to a medium bowl.

Step 3: Add your garlic, olive oil, cumin, garlic salt, salt, and pepper into the bowl as well and mix so the vegetables are coated.

Step 4: Drizzle and spread olive oil over a baking pan (or line the pan with aluminum foil first for an easy clean up).

Step 5: Pour all the contents of the bowl onto the pan.

Step 6: Place the pan in the oven for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know they’re done once they start to turn color and can be easily cut by a fork of knife.

Cabbage

Fried Cabbage with Bacon Bits

Ingredients:

• 6 slices bacon
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large head cabbage
• 1 tablespoon salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Core and slice your cabbage.

Step 2: Cook all six strips of bacon in a frying pan over medium-high heat until they are crispy. Then, cut them into smaller, bite sized pieces.

Step 3: Add the onion and garlic to the same frying pan (do not clean it) and stir them regularly for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Add your cabbage to the onion and garlic and continue to stir for another 10 minutes.

Step 5: Place everything from the frying pan into a large bowl and add the bacon pieces and salt to taste.

Pesto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 3 garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts
• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions:

Step 1: Simply combine your basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and a hint of salt and pepper into a food processor.

Step 2: Once you’ve turned on the blades, slowly pour extra-virgin olive oil into the mixture, until it has the texture of a paste.

Step 3: Spread your homemade pesto onto anything from chips to vegetables.