The Green Challenge!

Hey Everyone,

Two months have passed since Jeff and I wrapped up the Sugar Challenge. We are glad so many of you followed us and even joined us in giving up the sweet stuff for a month. We were itching for a new challenge, so I decided to throw down a new one this Memorial Day weekend. This challenge will not be about taking something out, but rather adding something in.

The number one missing food in the American diet is green leafy vegetables. For some reason, we are just freaked out by them. Which is really a shame because they pack a powerful punch of lifegiving nutrients. Just ask Popeye! They are typically very high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, vitamins A, C, E and K. Plus their is a list of life enhancing phyto and micronutrients a mile long that are hidden within the cell walls of these dark green nutrional superfoods.

The challenge will be to eat one serving of leafy green vegetables every day for the month of June. Jeff and I started last night with some sauteed Kale before the Bruins game. No, things like lettuce and celery do not count. These got to be those dark greens that are often used to as garnish. Here are a few examples:

Broccoli
Kale
Collard Greens
Mustard Greens
Dandelion Greens
Mesclun
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Arugula
Green and Napa Cabbage
Broccoli Rabe
Watercress

That's right the real freaky ones! Don't be scared though...here are some of the health benefits to eating green vegetables.

- Alkalizes the Blood
- Cancer Fighting properties
- Increased Blood Circulation
- Strengthens Immune System
- Fills in Nutrional Gaps for Many Common Deficiencies
- Alleviates Symptoms of Depression
- Tonifies Liver, Kidneys and Lungs
- Reduces Congestion

Over the course of this month, I will go over many of these benefits and post a ton of Green recipes. We will host this challenge over at my old blog site Positive Eating. I believe this will be fun, adding something in is way more enjoyable than taking something out. It will by no means be easy, but hey it's not easy being green.

Stay Positive,

Matthew