Toni’s Health Tips: Tip #13 | Save Your Greens!
Tip #13 | Save Your Greens!Toni Julian, Health Advocate, Author And Creator of TONI’S Protein Meals
Does this sound like someone you know? You make an effort to hit your local farmer’s market or favorite grocery store like Sigona’s to stock up on greens. You are proudly driving home with bags of beautiful, fresh, life-giving produce in your trunk. You glance in the rear view mirror at yourself, feeling so accomplished, that amidst all the bustle of daily life, work and juggling the kids, that you have taken that very powerful step of stocking your refrigerator. It’s time to rejoice!
Days go by, social plans and kids activities you didn’t quite expect, take over. You made the salad with the mixed baby greens, but watch as your Kale starts to yellow. You fully intended to get the recipe from your bestie for the Romanesco that you wanted to try, but it begins to freckle. The clock is ticking on the lifespan of your greens!
Being a health advocate and mom of four very active kids, I speak from the heart when I say it saddens me to toss that beautiful produce when time gets away from me. So I’ve developed a strategy, or a tool, to help prevent waste and give you those greens when you need them and not when they have to be eaten!
Here are some suggestions to save your greens which will save you money by preventing waste:
Kale | Spinach | Chard | Chop them before they turn, and place in freezer bags. Keep them frozen and blend them into smoothies, toss a handful into a a stir fry or bake in a casserole.
You can also blend your greens with a little liquid, just enough to make a smoothie consistency and pour into an ice cube tray. Pop out the frozen green cubes and add to a smoothie whenever you want a greens boost.
Bananas | Peel and break into halves or thirds. Use for smoothies or making muffins and banana bread. Check out my healthy recipe here.
Brocolli | Romanesco | Cauliflower | Slightly steam and place in blender. Add vegetable broth and puree. Let cool and place into small containers for freezing. Great for soups. If you have a toddler, pour into into an ice cube tray and freeze for a whole weeks worth of healthy meals!
These are just a few ideas. Experiment on your own and you’ll not only make healthy food more convenient for yourself and your family, but you’ll also reduce food waste which will save you money and reduce your water footprint!
Please share this with your friends who are interested in going green!
From my heart to yours,
Toni Julian is a nationally renowned health advocate, nutrition adviser, fitness expert, and author of BITE ME! Change Your Life One Bite at a Time, as well as a 50-something mom of four! She is also the creator of TONI’S High Performance Meals, a complete and healthy hot protein meal that’s ready in minutes. Get yours at Sigona’s! Visit www.ToniJulian.com
