April 2014
Planting a Veggie Garden Starts Now!
Are you a back yard gardener? Actually, I’m a front yard gardener because the space is right and the sunshine is right for growing. One of my spring gardening tasks includes a clean-up of my fresh herb ‘box garden’, so I pull off the dead leaves, turn over the soil with a trowel and re-plant if necessary. My very large rosemary bush died this winter so I re-planted a new, tiny one yesterday! My mint and oregano are already coming back from last year! I will be cleaning out a couple other ‘raised bed’ garden boxes as well, for planting green beans, kale and spinach greens in the coming week. Early April is a great time to plant and don’t forget to get the kids involved, too, for a family activity that is full of fun, fresh air and – eventually- healthy food on your dinner table!
3 Early Spring Veggies to Plant!
- Leafy greens like kale, spinach, lettuce. Grow them from seed & try different kinds and colors. Use the smaller, tender greens in your salad. Steam or lightly sauté the larger leaves.
- Radishes. Grow them from seed and don’t forget to thin out tiny plants after a couple weeks. Cut or slice radishes for your salad. Use them whole as a dipper for hummus or guacamole.
- Asparagus. Plant them in the spring after the danger of frost is past. Asparagus is a perennial and it can live for 15 years or longer. It takes 2-3 years before you can harvest this veggie, though, so be patient — it will be worth the wait. Steam asparagus or roast it in the oven.
Easy Solutions
A Blog about Homemade Salad Dressings
If you enjoy making fresh salads, with perhaps your own homegrown greens, then try making your own Homemade Salad Dressing, too. Here are 3 easy ones – and, you’ll love the simple ingredients.
For a look at other blogs I’ve written, please click here. Our new search feature allows you to look for healthy recipes, grocery shopping tips or anything that inspires your good nutrition goals.
Recipes For Everyone
Spinach Salad with Dried Cherries is simple yet the dried cherries and toasted pumpkin seeds make this salad something out-of-the-ordinary. Treat yourself on a weeknight or serve at a Spring get-together with friends and family. From marthastewart.com.
Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Feta Dressing is simple yet the sautéed onions and warmed/melted feta cheese really dress it up. I recommend using only half the olive oil listed to keep it light and healthy. From epicurious.com.
Kitchen Resource
Our NEW Vegetarian Resource Can Help You ‘Spring’ Into Healthier Meals and Snacks!
· 15 Tasty Menus with Shopping Lists
· 10 Mini-Recipes
· Bonus Section on Cooking with Quinoa
Nutrition Inspiration!
Where do you get inspiration to eat nutritiously? Fresh green herbs are easy to grow in your own garden, or in a pot on the deck. All you need is a sunny spot and a watering can when it gets dry. Buy a small starter plant from a local plant grower or even from the grocery store. Then, plant it and snip it for your soup, pasta salad or chicken salad. You’ll be amazed at how good it tastes!
Take Action Now!
Please note that I am an in-network provider of nutritional counseling for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina*. I am accepting new clients and will be delighted to help you achieve your health and nutrition goals. Contact Cindy to find out more or to set up your first appointment!
*Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Wishing you a Happy Start to Spring!
Cindy
Cindy Silver, MS, RDN, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Winston-Salem, NC