Challenge #17 – May 3, 2010

Week Seventeen: May 3, 2010

Challenge:  April Showers Bring May Flowers!

A new month! A new challenge! And a new food for thought!  There may be a bit of excitement as we begin to notice the different colours taking over the flower beds in our front or back yard, by entry-ways or even sporadically along the roads!  But what about the different edible “flowers” we are encouraged to consume, that bring a variety of nutrients to our bodies?  In particular, the Brassica family of vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, mustard and kale.  It is encouraged that we consume these types of “flowers” in our daily diets, as a source Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folic acid, fibre, iron and calcium, just to name a few.  Just how flowers bring a colourful arrangement to any picture, “flower” vegetables do the same to our meal-time plates!  You can even find purple, orange or yellow cauliflower these days, or red and purple kale!  So, when preparing your meals, I encourage you to base your meal around a vegetable.  Choose a new vegetable! Look on the web to see the endless possibilities available to you on how to dress a vegetable in a new way, or season it with a drop of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and your favourite fresh herbs!

Make a hearty arugula salad with sliced strawberries, goat cheese, almonds and grilled chicken! Try steamed broccoli with shredded light cheddar cheese alongside a piece of salmon and rice, or raw broccoli dipped in hummus as a snack!  Pasta dish?  Cook half the amount of pasta and add in kale to heighten the nutrient profile of your dish, as well as some peas and corn to bring a bit of sweetness to the dish!  Steer away from your traditional lettuce salad and try a cabbage salad topped with light feta cheese and pecans and dressed with a mix of apple cider vinegar, oil, honey, garlic and onion!

Seven days of the week! And seven days until you receive your next challenge! So keep your meals interesting this week, choosing a different “flower” to colour your plate, and different variations to enjoy your dish or meal!  Your palate may take on the new flavours in a way you never knew you would, bringing you back for more in the days to come!

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