Bite Of Minnesota: Winter Brighteners

Is it spring yet? Winter sure is dragging on, but that’s nothing new for Minnesota. As we adjust to Daylight Savings Time and yearn for blue skies, sunlight, and warmer weather, it’s a good time to strengthen our resolve and start preparing for those exciting spring days.

Here are some food-related things that may be helpful in those last few long weeks of winter:

1.) Salads
Forego the heavy fare of winter by saying goodbye to stews and roasts and hello to leafy greens. I make kale salad on a regular basis and pair it with a protein, like grilled chicken breast, baked tofu, or nuts.

2.) Smoothies
It’s easy to get a taste of the tropics by adding frozen fruit such as mango and pineapple to a smoothie. Combine the ingredients below in a blender for a blast of nutrition. This will make two servings.

(credit: Crystal Grobe)

Tropical Green Smoothie
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup rice milk
1 large frozen banana
1 cup frozen mango chunks
½ cup frozen pineapple chunks
4 cups fresh baby spinach
Splash of water if needed

3.) Citrus
Make use of winter citrus and add slices of grapefruit, lemon, and orange to water for a sliver of sunshine. Use sparkling water for a little more pizzazz.

These three things won’t magically make it warmer or turn winter into spring, but they do offer a nutritious getaway for the body and the mind.