A Healthy, Happy St. Patty’s Day!
When I think of St. Patty’s Day I always remember the local supermarket growing up having green bagels that day and seeing cupcakes with green frosting everywhere (YUM). I’m all for indulging, but there are options to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without being left feeling nausea and bloated. Instead of celebrating green food coloring this year, how about we celebrate all things that are NATURALLY GREEN!
I feel like leafy greens deserve their own holiday because they pack such a nutritional punch. To name just a few benefits of leafy greens, they’re high in fiber and packed with folic acid, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and many more nutrients. For more information on why to eat your greens, this is a great article to read. Although we may not all win the jackpot by finding a pot of gold on St. Patty’s Day, we can all give our body’s a rich boost by adding a handful of spinach to your morning eggs, afternoon smoothie, or salad.
Looking for more party-type foods to celebrate St, Patty’s Day? I love Brad’s Raw Kale Chips and Made in Nature’s Kale Chips as an alternative to chips, or a “cracker” to dip in hummus. They’re salty and crunchy and give that same satisfaction of eating a chip, but with added nutritional value of vitamin A, C, Calcium and iron. They’re great to put in your kid’s lunch box, or as a snack too!
….and let’s not forget about guacamole! Naturally green and delicious and filled with healthy fats. My favorite guacamole recipe is from The Kitchn, you can find it here!
…Or pizza topped with pesto sauce!
Also, don’t forget that whether you spend your St. Patty’s day going for a run on the green grass, or sipping cocktails with friends, it’s important to stay hydrated.. And why not add a little lucky boost to your water in spirit of the Holiday!? My go-to drink when I want a little added flavor to my water is this Lucky Iced Mint Water recipe:
Lucky Iced Mint Water Recipe:
16 oz Ubr Water
Handful of mint
*Optional: Lemon juice
1.Place the Ubr water in a glass
2. Add the mint and muddle with a spoon
3. Add lemon for an added boost if you’d like!
No matter how you chose to celebrate St. Patty’s day this year, make sure to make it naturally green!
Kristin McGee is a celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor in New York City. She is currently teaching yoga with Peloton. She is the star of over 100 videos, seen in several magazines and tv shows and is a spokeswoman for many brands and causes she believes in. A proud mom to three, she sure keeps herself busy!