It’s Not Easy Eating Green!

I may not be Irish, but I sure like to get my green on and join in the St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans. Isn’t everyone just a wee bit Irish on St. Paddy’s Day? When our girls were little, we’d decorate shamrocks and color rainbows. We’d play “search for the gold” around the house, looking for little treats some mischievous leprechauns left behind. Together, we’d prepare green snacks and Irish-inspired dinners.

Funny thing is, I somehow managed to find a way to use this holiday to introduce green vegetables to our daughters. They were more receptive when broccoli was a part of a theme or peas were considered “lucky.” It’s not always easy eating green, so why not take advantage of St. Patrick’s Day to sneak some spinach in to your lads and lasses?

Paddy’s Shamrock Muffins are a fun way to eat green this St. Patrick’s Day! A kid favorite, these easy-to-make spinach muffins are a fantastic way to use up the fresh spinach in your crisper drawer. Make them as mini-muffins for a fun toddler snack or regular-sized for the grown-ups in your house.

Paddy’s Shamrock Muffins

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (NuVal 99)
• 1 large egg (NuVal 56)
• 2 Tablespoons skim milk   (NuVal 100)
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract   (not scored)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach (NuVal 100)
• 1/3 cup sugar   (NuVal 1)
• 2 Tablespoons canola oil   (NuVal 32)
• 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour   (NuVal 94)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (not scored)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (not scored)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (not scored)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Put the first seven ingredients (applesauce, egg, milk, vanilla, spinach, sugar and oil) in a blender or food processor and blend or process. This breaks the spinach up into tiny pieces, unrecognizable to even the pickiest of toddlers. Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt).
4. Add the wet spinach mixture to the dry ingredients.
5. Using a spoon, gently mix ingredients until combined.
6. Scoop the batter into greased muffins tins. This recipe will make approximately 9 large muffins or 24 mini-muffins.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes for regular-sized muffins or 10-12 minutes for mini-muffins.
8. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!

More Ways to Get Your Green On

Add a bit o’ fun to dinner and surprise your little leprechauns with a totally green meal.

• Green veggie platter and cucumber yogurt dip
• Green apple slices, kiwi slices and green grapes
• Pesto Pasta – Just toss their favorite noodles with some store-bought pesto (remember to check the NuVal scores to trade-up for the most nutritious noodles and pesto options)
• Lime-infused water – keep your beverage simple, fresh and (of course) green

How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your kids? Do you serve green eggs and ham for breakfast? Do you wear green? Do playful leprechauns sneak into your house? Whether you’re 100% Irish or Irish-at-heart like me, I’d love to learn how you get your green on!

Today and always, I wish you good luck and good cheer.

Kelly

This is a guest post by Kelly Radi. Passionate about food and nutrition, Kelly is a freelance writer, NuVal expert, former BLEND employee, and current BLEND advocate.  A wife and mother of 2 teenagers, Kelly lives in Sartell where she is often spotted at Coborn’s scouring the shelves in search of the best NuVal scores. She enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and sitting down with a good book. She can be reached at radi.to.write@gmail.com. 

The opinions expressed in this blog are the opinions of the writer and not the opinions of NuVal LLC, Coborn’s, Inc., BLEND, and the CentraCare Health Foundation.  Read more “Peek Into Kelly’s Kitchen” blogs, here!