Do you shop the grocery store aisles and grab the same greens every time?

It’s a perfect time of year to grab some shoots and leaves you may be missing out on because leafy greens are especially fresh and nutritious in spring and summer.

In this post we’re talking about 7 different greens that will help you detox, rock your workouts, build strong bones, and spice up your life and relationships.  No boring greens here!

Let’s dive right in.

PIN THIS HANDY INFOGRAPHIC TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT GREENS!

Dandelion Greens

The green you’re most likely to get free!  These pop out in many lawns in early spring. Dandelion greens support the liver, gallbladder, colon, and kidneys as a natural diuretic and a mild laxative. You can eat the dandelion greens for vitamins A, B, C, & D – and minerals like iron, potassium, and zinc.

SAUTE GREENS WITH CURRY SPICES!

Chard

A splendidly colorful green, chard contains 13 different phytonutrient antioxidants!  One of the flavonoids found in the leaves is syringic acid, which has blood sugar regulating properties.   It’s an especially wonderful source of vitamins A, C, K, and zinc.

STEAM IT TO REDUCE OXALIC ACID.

Kale

King kale has more iron, per calorie, than beef.  High in fiber and sulphur (great for detox), vitamin A (great for your vision), vitamin C (support your immune system).  Steam it for its cholesterol lowering properties to be enhanced.

DEHDYRATE ‘EM FOR KALE CHIPS!

Collard greens

The fiber content of collard greens—over 7 grams in every cup—makes this cruciferous vegetable a natural choice for digestive system support.  Collards also protect digestion by preventing bacterial overgrowth in the stomach through glucosinolate in collard greens.

TRADE YOUR WHEAT TORTILLA FOR A COLLARD GREEN LEAF AND WRAP IT UP!

Spinach

Look for dark green spinach leaves – they’re probably richer in vitamin C.  Spinach is essential to bone health because of its vitamin K. Just one cup gives you 181% of the recommended daily value!  Vitamin K also helps to prevent an excessive amount of osteoclasts, which are cells that can destroy bone.

SNEAK IT INTO SMOOTHIES – THEY WON’T EVEN KNOW.

Arugula

This zippy tasting green has an array of vitamins and minerals, like copper and iron.  Ironically, it has a cooling effect on the body, even though it has a peppery flavor.  It’s hydrating in the summer heat, and according to the ancient Romans, it’s an aphrodisiac!

SPICE UP SALAD, PASTA, AND QUINOA.

Radish greens

Folic acid and vitamin C, the leaves of the radish plant actually contain more vitamin C, protein and calcium than their roots.  They have been used for kidney and skin disorders, and even soothe insect bites.

TRY THIS RADISH GREEN PESTO BY CHOCOLATE AND ZUCCHINI!

Don’t forget to pin it – then share your favorite way to eat greens in the comments below!