How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Do you claim “the luck of the Irish” or party with green brews and foods? How did this popular holiday start?
Also known as the “Feast of Saint Patrick,” March 17th is the day that the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, died. Celebrations in his memory often include special meals, religious services, parades, wearing green, and shamrocks. Usually known for lively eating and drinking, St. Patrick’s Day in America has been celebrated since the 1800’s.
Make a new twist on St. Patrick’s Day this year. Kick it up a notch and get your green on through your food choices. Say no to those weirdly colored green biscuits, beers, and cakes! Say yes to naturally-green, healthy food choices that could become your new St. Patty’s Day tradition. Simply add green foods to the foods and drinks that you already enjoy.
Add green to your St. Patrick’s Day with these ideas:
- Add a punch to your smoothies with something green like kale, celery, Swiss chard, or cilantro.
- Chill with popsicles made with your favorite juice and shredded cabbage, edamame, or parsley.
- Dine with pizza topped with chopped peppers, broccoli, or artichokes.
- Garnish your plate with slices of lime, kiwi, green tomato, zucchini, or cucumber.
- Party with veggies in your cheese dip, like spinach, basil, or peppers.
- Roast veggies for great new taste like asparagus, Brussel sprouts, beet greens, or green beans.
- Toast with green tea, green smoothies, or mint milkshakes.
- Wake up snacks with sticks of celery, green apple wedges, or Bartlett pear slices.
- Green foods carry many vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Plus, they’re low in calories, fat and, sodium a great recipe to fight cancer. Get your green on this year for St. Patrick’s Day without the guilt of those other celebratory brews and foods.
