By: Analisse Rodriguez, UTSA Dietetics Student
Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! Did you know that your odds of finding a four-leaf clover are about 1 in 1,000? Or that the color of St. Patrick's Day was originally blue? There are so many interesting facts about St. Patrick’s, but I think it’s safe to say everyone associates this Holiday with “Kiss Me I’m Irish” t-shirts, and the color green! Listed below are some great treat and snack ideas from food blogs. Enjoy these yummy recipes this St. Patrick’s Day!
Mint Shamrock Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 large bananas: Cut up and frozen
- 1 cup firmly packed fresh spinach leaves
- 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/2 medium avocado
- 1/4 cup firmly packed fresh mint leaves: About 25 leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
- Sweetener of choice: 1 packet stevia or 1 to 2 tablespoons honey
- Whipped cream (Lite): optional for serving
- Shaved dark chocolate: optional for serving
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender (except the optional lite whipped cream and dark shaved chocolate) and puree until blended well
2. If needed, add sweetener your satisfied taste
3. Add whipped cream (lite) and dark chocolate shavings
Shamrock Veggie Skewers
Ingredients
● Assorted green veggies (broccoli, zucchini, cucumber, sugar snap peas, snow peas, green peppers)
● Green peppers (for making shamrocks) *optional
● Dip (hummus or low-fat vegetable dip)
Instructions
● Wash and cut assorted veggies into desired bite size slices
● Place and alternate assorted veggies on wooden skewers
● Place green peppers on top (for making shamrocks) *optional
Dip in hummus or a low-fat vegetable dip and enjoy!
Avocado Deviled Eggs
Ingredients
- 6 hardboiled eggs, peeled
- 1 avocado
- 2 tbsp of miracle whip (lite) or mayonnaise
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Fill cooking pot with water until eggs are submerged, bring to a boil and boil eggs for 12-14 minutes
- Crack and peel eggs and let cool
- Cut eggs lengthwise and scoop out the yolk in a separate bowl
- In the separate bowl with the egg yolk, add avocado and mash the two together
- Add your preferred mayo (miracle whip lite or mayonnaise) and cilantro to the avocado mix bowl
- In a separate bowl add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin together, mix well, and add to avocado mix
- Use a spoon or piping bag to fill the eggs
- Sprinkle cilantro on top for appearance and taste
References
- The 15 Most Interesting St. Patrick’s Day Facts - ProFlowers Blog. ProFlowers Blog
Available at: https://www.proflowers.com/blog/interesting-st-patricks-day-facts
- Clarke, E. (2015). Mint Smoothie {Healthy Copycat Shamrock Shake}. [Blog] well plated. Available at: https://www.wellplated.com/mint-smoothie/ [Accessed 26 Feb. 2019].
- Shamrock Veggie Skewers. (2016). [Blog] two healthy kitchens. Available at: https://twohealthykitchens.com/shamrock-veggie-skewers/ [Accessed 26 Feb. 2019].
- Healthy St. Patrick’s Day snacks – Get kids excited about green. (2018). [Blog] Little Family Adventure. Available at: https://littlefamilyadventure.com/healthy-st-patricks-day-snacks-for-ki… [Accessed 26 Feb. 2019].