Picking A Bunch Of Delicious Greens

For most of us "greens" means a bit of lettuce and cucumber that accompanies our main meal. There are so many other greens which grow wild or you may find at your local fruit and veg shop... be adventurous and daring and if you need any recipe ideas send us an e-mail !

Mustard greens are delicious, raw, steamed boiled or sauteed with a bit of garlic. They are an excellent source of calcium, iron, phytochemicals, and are medicial for the lungs and colon.

Leafy chicory comes in red as well as green and is esteemed as a medicinal herb for liver irregularities, as a blood purifier, and nourishes the heart and circulatory system.Chicory is also an excellent source of potassium, calcium, and Vitamin A.  You may blanche chicory to reduce the bitter flavour.

Parsley.... the Greeks thought it stimulated the brain. Parsley is full of iron and its phytochemical content includes coumarins, flavonoids, terpenes and carotenoids. Parsley is a diuretic and helps combat PMS (premenstrual symptoms), and works as an antiaging agent.

Dandelion Greens, boast more calcium than whole milk and are loaded with antioxidants.  The Chinese have long looked to dandelion poultices to treat breast cancers, and like chicory, these greens cleanse liver and blood.

Among other greens there is mesclun, bok choy and chinese cabbage.

With spring in the air, it's the perfect time to pick a bunch of greens and make yourself a delicious and nutritious  salad.

Barbara is a qualified nutritionist and health and wellness expert offering one to one nutritional counseling in person or online. See Barbara's healthy lifestyle course with tips and support for a healthier lifestyle.

'The Mediterranean Lifestyle Program' is a 12 week course developed to create healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes.