[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/3-healthy-st-patricks-day-recipes\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/3-healthy-st-patricks-day-recipes\/","headline":"Try These 3 Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes","name":"Try These 3 Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes","description":"This St. Patrick\u2019s Day, put away your green food coloring and try these healthy, naturally green recipes instead","datePublished":"2017-03-04","dateModified":"2018-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/032017_STPATRICKSDAY.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/032017_STPATRICKSDAY.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/3-healthy-st-patricks-day-recipes\/","about":["Nutrition"],"wordCount":561,"keywords":["healthy recipes","Nutrition","St. Patrick's Day"],"articleBody":"Looking forward to St. Patrick\u2019s Day, it can be tempting to load up on heavy foods and overly sweetened shakes. Often, traditional Irish celebrations are full of high calorie dishes that leave you feeling very full and bloated.The arrival of a holiday does not give you the excuse to take a break from eating healthy.Even food coloring, which many add to color their meals green, has artificial ingredients that are harmful to your health.So, this St. Patrick\u2019s Day, put away your green food coloring and try these healthy, naturally \u201cgreen\u201d recipes instead!Spinach PancakesStart your day off right with some tasty spinach pancakes. These fluffy flapjacks \u2014 made with Greek yogurt, baby spinach, and whole wheat flour \u2014 are a fun, festive choice for your St. Patrick’s breakfast.Ingredients for Spinach Pancakes:2 cups non-fat plain Greek yogurt1\/2 cup milk2 cups fresh baby spinach2 tablespoons honey2 eggs1 cup whole wheat flour1 cup white whole wheat flour1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking sodaHow to Make Spinach Pancakes:Blend Greek yogurt, milk, and spinach together until a green liquid forms (you can do this in a blender or food processor).Next, add in honey and eggs.Blend flour until combined.Stir in baking powder and baking soda.Cook on a hot, greased griddle pan.Serve with your favorite toppings.Zucchini Noodles With PestoIf you haven’t heard of or sampled \u201czoodles,\u201d now is the perfect time to try them. An especially \u201cgreen\u201d lunch or dinner for St. Patrick\u2019s Day, this recipe has plenty of healthy vitamins A and C.Ingredients for Zucchini Noodles with Pesto:4 small zucchinis2 cups packed fresh basil leaves2 cloves garlic1\/3 cup extra virgin olive oil2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice1\/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheeseKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to tasteCherry or grape tomatoes (optional)How to Make Zucchini Noodles with Pesto:Use a spiralizer, sharp knife, or peeler to slice the zucchini into noodles. Set aside.Combine the basil and garlic in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. While the food processor is on, slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.Add the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until blended.Season with salt and pepper.Combine the zucchini noodles and pesto. Toss to coat zucchini noodles.Serve at room temperature or chilled.Note: If you want to cook the zucchini pesto noodles, just saut\u00e9 them in a skillet over medium heat.Avocado Banana DessertStill hungry for a bit of dessert? Try this recipe for avocado and banana soft-serve ice cream.\u00a0Frozen bananas serve as the base for this \u201cice cream\u201d and provide a boost of potassium at the end of your day.Ingredients for Avocado Banana Soft-Serve Ice Cream:2 frozen bananas1\/2 avocado1\/4 cup pistachios (divided)1 tablespoon shredded coconut1\/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1\/4 teaspoon almond extractHow to Make Avocado Banana Soft-Serve:Freeze two bananas the day before. Cut them in half before placing them in the freezer.Take pistachios out of their shells and measure them in a quarter cup.Take a small handful of pistachios and crush them with something flat. Set aside for later.Place all the ingredients (except for your crushed pistachios) in a blender or processor.Blend until you reach the consistency of soft-serve ice cream."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Try These 3 Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/3-healthy-st-patricks-day-recipes\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]