7 GREENS FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Sure, you know greens are good for you – but if you think that means only broccoli, spinach, and lettuce, you haven’t heard the latest science about these miracle working greens – Leeks, Kale, Sage, Mustard Greens, Fennel, Boy Choy and Watercress.   They’re all good for you, they all taste yummy when added to our favorite recipes, and they all provide awesome health benefits, which I’m sure everyone in our age group likes hearing.  So discover how these 7 HEALTHY GREENS CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY AND HEALTHY, including all the health perks packed inside these good for you greens.  Enjoy the read and cheers to your good health 🙂

7 HEALTHY GREENS THAT CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY AND HEALTHY

LEEKS – prevent tummy troubles
Leeks are loaded with a natural antibacterial (allicin), proven to kill several types of stomach bugs, including E. coli and salmonella. They contain a “prebiotic” that blocks bloating and indigestion by nourishing the friendly bacteria in your intestines, upping them almost tenfold.
Bonus: Compounds in leeks are linked to a lower risk of cancer.
HINT: Saute thinly sliced leeks in olive oil and use them in omelets or atop burgers and steaks. Tip: Clean well (leeks can be sandy), and let sit on the counter for 5 minutes before cooking to enhance their health-promoting qualities.

KALE – makes skin radiant
Putting an end to dry winter skin can be as easy as adding this leafy green to your diet. Kales potassium increases circulation of revitalizing oxygen throughout the body to improve your complexion, leaving you with smoother and softer skin. And it’s anti-inflammatory compounds reduce redness and puffiness.
HINT: Get the benefits by eating kale chips. Preheat oven to 250°. In a bowl, toss kale leaves with olive oil and salt, and spread on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Remove, add a little grated Parmesan cheese and eat while still warm

SAGE – revs your memory
Sages unique combo of phytonutrients and volatile oils ensures your brain is well supplied with a steady stream of the memory supporting neurotransmitter acetylcholine. No wonder researchers found that when folks took a memory test after consuming Sage, they scored much higher than those who did not. British research even links sage to a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
HINT: Get the benefits by adding chopped fresh sage to salads, omelettes and tomato sauces or simply sprinkling some on top of pizza

MUSTARD GREENS – protect your heart
The peppery tasting leaves are rich in natural substances (sulforaphanes) that naturally reduce cholesterol. How? By escorting bile acids out of your body, exactly the way many prescription cholesterol-lowering medications work, except that in a recent study mustard greens were actually found to be 34% more effective than the leading RX.
HINT: Get the benefits by sautéing chopped mustard greens in olive oil and serving them warm topped with chopped walnuts and a squeeze of fresh lemon

FENNEL – fights fat
This lately licorice flavored, celery like vegetable, supplies the metabolism stoking trace mineral (molybdenum) that helps break down carbohydrates before they can be stored as fat. It also revs the livers ability to flush out fats and toxins, which in turn, boosts your energy. No wonder molybdenum is an ingredient in many over-the-counter diet products.
BONUS: fennel contains natural diuretics that help shed excess sodium and water weight.
HINT: Get the benefits by simply substituting chopped fennel for chopped celery in recipes

BOK CHOY – sends PMS packing
If you suffer from monthly symptoms like mood swings, bloating and cramping, this Asian staple can help. It contains a compound (diindolylimeethane) that regulates too-high estrogen levels, the culprit behind pms. It’s so powerful, it also helps prevent estrogen related problems like endometriosis and even shrinks fibroids.
BONUS: DIM is also linked to a lower risk of breast, uterine and cervical cancers. In fact, it’s one of the reasons scientists suspect Asian woman (Bok choy is the most popular vegetable) have such low rates of breast cancer.
HINT: Get the benefits by coarsely chopping the leaves and stalks, stir-fry for one minute, sprinkling with a pinch of salt, then adding a small amount of chicken broth (about 3 tablespoons per pound of bok choy), and simmering for two minutes

WATERCRESS – keeps your vision sharp
This brightly flavored, zippy green is chock-full of the lutein and zeaxanthin, unique antioxidants that together shield your retinas from damaging UV light and protect other cells in the eye from age-related damage. In fact, getting the regular doses of both nutrients can slash your risk of macular degeneration, (the leading cause of blindness in folks over age 50), in half and reduce your odds of developing cataracts an amazing 30%.
HINT: Get the benefits by garnishing your pizza, casseroles and stir-fries with watercress. Simply break the delicate leaves off the thick center stalks, and sprinkle them on top

And there you have it – the 7 GREENS FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.  Let me know how you’ve added these greens to your diet – I’ll post mine along with some recipes.  Enjoy and Cheers to Your Good Health 🙂

Source: Shannon Hunt, Womans World Magazine