Four leaf clovers, leprechauns, and green beer all are very green to commemorate St. Patty’s Day, but you can be green and eat a healthy diet too. One of the exciting things this St. Patty’s Day is it also means spring is coming soon. The SottoPelle Team has searched for a few green recipes for you to enjoy!!! Send us your favorite healthy St. Patrick’s Day recipe or let us know if you enjoyed the ones listed here. Celebrate being green the healthy way.  Here are some healthy ideas for your Saint Patrick’s Day diet:

Saint Patrick’s Day Diet

Breakfast

Try your Smoothie Green (http://thecornerkitchenblog.com/green-smoothies/)

1 – 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, depending on how thick you like your smoothie

1 cup kale leaves, center rib removed

1 cup baby spinach

1 banana, frozen & cut into pieces

1 mango, peeled and cut into pieces

1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Dr Seuss loves Green Eggs, so today is a good day to try it:

8 large eggs – beaten

1 cup chopped frozen spinach – thawed

1/2 cup low-fat milk

2 cups bread cubes or small torn pieces of bread

1/2 cup grated Swiss or Monterey jack cheese (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Read More: http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=1204

Lunch

Irish Salad – Colcannon (http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2012/03/colcannon-with-leeks-and-kale.html)

Considered to be a “frugal” dish – but it is healthy and tasty too.

3 – 4 medium sized russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks

8 ounces red potatoes, peeled and chopped into chunks

10 ounces parsnips, peeled and sliced

2 bay leaves

5 tablespoons butter

1 leek, cleaned and chopped

4 ounces kale, chopped

1 – 1 1/2 cup whole milk

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Green Tomatoes and Mozzarella – Make your typical Caprese Salad green by replacing red tomatoes with green ones. (http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2010/08/recipe-for-green-goddess-tomato.html)

8 slices fresh tomato (make all slices about the same diameter, I used Green Zebra tomatoes)

4 slices fresh mozzarella

3-4 T Green Goddess Salad Dressing

Pub Snacks

What is St. Pattys Day without some Pub food?

(http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2013/03/lucky-leprechaun-dip-creamy-green.html)

Feel Lucky with Green Leprechaun Dip

1 can white cannellini beans (1 1/2 cups) – drain/rinse in hot water

1 cup kale (I actually used frozen kale! But fresh works too)

4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

2 tsp lemon juice + generous pinch of lemon zest

1/2 tsp fine black pepper

3 dashes of cayenne

1/4 cup raw cashews (no need to soak if using a high speed blender or food processor)

1 1/2 Tbsp. tahini, roasted, organic

1/4+ cup warm water

1/4 cup chopped parsley, flat-leaf

Optional: garlic powder or roasted garlic

Dinner

Green Pizza (See recipe http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/arugula_broccoli_pesto_pizza.html)

1 pound prepared pizza dough, preferably whole-wheat

2 cups chopped broccoli florets

1/4 cup water

5 ounces arugula, any tough stems removed, chopped (about 6 cups)

Pinch of salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup prepared pesto

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Dessert

Ice Cream can be healthy and green too. This creative Greek yogurt recipe combines health, green, and ice cream for an amazing dessert.

Mint Chocolate Chip Greek Yogurt Ice Cream (See: http://immaeatthat.com/2013/01/07/chobani-recipes-mint-chocolate-chip-ice-cream/)

2 frozen bananas

3/4 cup almond milk, original

2 cups spinach, packed

1 container (16 ounces) Chobani Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Greek Yogurt

1/4 tsp mint extract

3 Tbsp. dark chocolate chips, roughly chopped

Green Beer has lots of carbs, and you feel like having a healthy spirit? We found this interesting twist on green alcoholic drink. (See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/healthy-recipes/10909277/Healthy-green-juice-with-an-alcoholic-twist.html) 50ml fresh green juice (I use 1 cucumber, 3 apples, 4 large curly kale leaves, 2 pears) 25ml sugar syrup or elder flower cordial 25ml fresh lime juice 50ml vodka

So be healthy, eat and drink in moderation, and enjoy your Saint Patrick’s Day diet!!

***If you’re allergic to any ingredients noted, then omit from recipe or replace with suitable item.

Additional Link: http://greatist.com/health/healthy-green-recipes-st-patricks-day