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By Katja Heino 5 Comments
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How to Cook Greens the Whole Family Will Love

GreensCollage2

I get a lot of questions about menu planning and how to make real food when pressed for time.  The thing I recommend most is to keep it simple.  Real, delicious, tasty food does not have to be complicated or elaborate.  At our house, we often eat meat and veggies for dinner.  I buy locally raised, organic, grassf-fed, and pastured beef, pork, and poultry in large quantities and freeze it.  I defrost what I want to prepare either the night before or in the morning.  I buy local, organic produce on Sundays at the Farmer’s Market and make a simple veggie side or two to go with dinner.  That’s it.

The thing we eat most is greens.  Every week, I buy chard, collards, and several bunches of kale (if it’s not growing in the garden.)  I cook the green the same way every time.  My family never tires of them.  It’s quick.  It’s easy.  And it tastes good.

The method I am about to show you is simple.  It creates a whole bunch of shredded green strips that are easy and fast to cook.  I simple add a little grass-fed ghee (or butter if you prefer) and a bit of coconut oil.  A little celtic sea salt and you are ready to eat…….

How to Prepare Your Greens:

Simple place greens into large bowl in kitchen sink.  Fill the bowl with water and gently swish them around in the water.  Empty the water out and repeat a couple of times.  I wash greens this way because greens are notorious for having gritty dirt stuck to them, and I don’t like gritty greens.

Screen shot 2013-06-04 at 1.55.23 PM

Drain greens in a colander.

Screen shot 2013-06-04 at 1.55.42 PM

Stack several leaves of greens on top of each other on a cutting board.

Screen shot 2013-06-04 at 1.57.10 PMBegin to ROLL the greens all together…….

Screen shot 2013-06-04 at 1.57.42 PM

Once rolled together into a tube, grab the end and begin to cut with a sharp knife into thin strips.

Screen shot 2013-06-04 at 1.58.28 PM

Screen shot 2013-06-04 at 2.23.41 PM

Repeat until all greens are shredded.

This is what you will end up with:  a beautiful pile of green strips ready to be cooked.

Screen shot 2013-06-04 at 1.59.34 PM

How to Cook Your Greens:

  1. Place shredded greens into steamer basket and steam for 5-10 minutes (depending on the type of green and your personal preference.)  More for collards and kale, less for chard.
  2. Remove from heat, place into glass bowl, add 1 TBS grass-fed ghee (or butter) and 1 TBS coconut oil.
  3. celtic sea salt to taste.
  4. Serve and ENJOY!!!

 

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Filed Under: Healthy Living, Sides

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cait C says

    July 1, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    I’ve only ventured into “greens” twice, but each time, I have been told to remove the stems. I see here that you just cut them, stem and all. Do you stop short (like the picture appears to show), or do you just include everything but the piece of stand alone stem? Thanks for the tutorial!!

    Reply
    • Katja says

      July 1, 2013 at 6:40 pm

      I cut some of the stem off, especially with collards and kale, but some of it gets chopped up with the leaves. Some folks remove it all but I cook my greens pretty well so it all softens up nicely. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Galia says

    November 6, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Looks yummy-thanks for some greens inspiration!! I have ulcerative colitis and I am in the midst of a bad flare:( I am stuck on lots of drugs right now but trying to heal myself through diet. I love your blog and follow it regularly… Love and light✨✨✨

    Reply
    • Katja says

      November 7, 2013 at 9:11 am

      Sorry to hear that you are struggling right now. UC is a hard thing to live with. Have you heard of this website?——> http://empoweredsustenance.com/ Lauren has UC and is healing herself with food. Check it out. It’s a really great site. Thanks for stopping by. Sending you lots of healing vibes. 🙂

      Reply

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Hi I’m Katja!

And this is how we do healthy in our family. Just REAL food. Simple. Easy. Gluten free. More about Savory Lotus

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  • 🍁🍂🍃the more i get outside, the better i feel • outside every day 🍃🍁🍂

🍂🍁🍃 exposure to artificial light, blue screens, + WIFI (and being sedentary) drains our energy 🍃🍁🍂

P.S. it’s stunning here in the mountains in Fall

* intentional living 
* simple life 
* get outside 
* nature heals 
* gratitude 
* slow living 
* self care
* move every day
  • 🤍 I love reselling things i no longer wear • it helps fund my secondhand finds, keeps things in circulation, and gives me a reason to let something go before bringing something new in 🤍

• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• thrifted fashion 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free 
• natural fiber clothing 
• sustainable living
  • 💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
  • 🧥👖second hand outfit of the day • you don’t have to buy new to dress well • so many great pieces are already out there • second hand is my favorite way to find pieces i love • it’s easier to find my personal style when i’m being intentional and not just copying trends 

🧥👖 what i paid:

* vintage cashmere turtleneck sweater $24 from eBay
* organic cotton Everlane pants $18 from eBay 
* genuine leather belt $18 eBay
* black leather boots borrowed from little human 

• sustainable living
• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free
  • 👢 taking care of what i have instead of always looking for something new🤎 • a little non toxic leather conditioner = another season wearing what i already own and LOVE • investing in good quality things that i care for year after year > constantly feeling like i need to consume and replace 

👢 the 2 pairs of boots on the left are both over 7 years old 

👢using Leather Honey to soften, protect and restore my favorite boots 

• sustainable living
• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free
  • 💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
  • 🤍 i’ve always loved old things • the craftsmanship, the character, the stories they carry • they just don’t make them like they used to. 🤍
  • 💗 REAL FREEDOM comes from a simple life • let’s normalize living below our means, paying cash instead of living in debt, living in small houses, cooking meals at home, wearing secondhand clothes, driving older cars without payments , and having an emergency fund tucked away. 

💗 less pressure to have more • less pressure to compare ourselves to unrealistic social media lives • more freedom to enjoy what we have and the simply lives we’ve created 💗
  • 👖🧥 natural  fibers • neutral colors • timeless  pieces • secondhand finds • quality over trends 

💗 i don’t need more • just need what feels like me 💗 

WHAT I PAID:

* wool blend sweater from men’s section Goodwill $8
* white denim from Plato’s Closet $11
* J Crew cotton tank from local consignment store $9
* Leather belt from eBay $18
View on Instagram
🍁🍂🍃the more i get outside, the better i feel • outside every day 🍃🍁🍂

🍂🍁🍃 exposure to artificial light, blue screens, + WIFI (and being sedentary) drains our energy 🍃🍁🍂

P.S. it’s stunning here in the mountains in Fall

* intentional living 
* simple life 
* get outside 
* nature heals 
* gratitude 
* slow living 
* self care
* move every day
View Reel on Instagram
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🍁🍂🍃the more i get outside, the better i feel • outside every day 🍃🍁🍂 🍂🍁🍃 exposure to artificial light, blue screens, + WIFI (and being sedentary) drains our energy 🍃🍁🍂 P.S. it’s stunning here in the mountains in Fall * intentional living * simple life * get outside * nature heals * gratitude * slow living * self care * move every day
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
🤍 I love reselling things i no longer wear • it helps fund my secondhand finds, keeps things in circulation, and gives me a reason to let something go before bringing something new in 🤍

• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• thrifted fashion 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free 
• natural fiber clothing 
• sustainable living
View Reel on Instagram
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🤍 I love reselling things i no longer wear • it helps fund my secondhand finds, keeps things in circulation, and gives me a reason to let something go before bringing something new in 🤍 • living below our means • financial freedom • thrifting • thrifted fashion • second hand clothes • intentional living • simple life • living debt free • natural fiber clothing • sustainable living
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 

💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 

💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💰taking about money is tricky • we all have our stories and ideas around it • i’m just sharing things i do to live financially in my value system 💰my goal is to live under our means in order to live a less stressful life • i value buying things second hand to save resources • i want to consume less • saving is more important than spending to me •having money saved and invested helps me create the life I want 💰learning to be happy with less has made it possible to SAVE • there was a time when having a fully funded emergency fund and money in savings wasn’t possible • being financially responsible has been a journey
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
🧥👖second hand outfit of the day • you don’t have to buy new to dress well • so many great pieces are already out there • second hand is my favorite way to find pieces i love • it’s easier to find my personal style when i’m being intentional and not just copying trends 

🧥👖 what i paid:

* vintage cashmere turtleneck sweater $24 from eBay
* organic cotton Everlane pants $18 from eBay 
* genuine leather belt $18 eBay
* black leather boots borrowed from little human 

• sustainable living
• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free
View Reel on Instagram
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🧥👖second hand outfit of the day • you don’t have to buy new to dress well • so many great pieces are already out there • second hand is my favorite way to find pieces i love • it’s easier to find my personal style when i’m being intentional and not just copying trends 🧥👖 what i paid: * vintage cashmere turtleneck sweater $24 from eBay * organic cotton Everlane pants $18 from eBay * genuine leather belt $18 eBay * black leather boots borrowed from little human • sustainable living • living below our means • financial freedom • thrifting • second hand clothes • intentional living • simple life • living debt free
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
👢 taking care of what i have instead of always looking for something new🤎 • a little non toxic leather conditioner = another season wearing what i already own and LOVE • investing in good quality things that i care for year after year > constantly feeling like i need to consume and replace 

👢 the 2 pairs of boots on the left are both over 7 years old 

👢using Leather Honey to soften, protect and restore my favorite boots 

• sustainable living
• living below our means 
• financial freedom 
• thrifting 
• second hand clothes 
• intentional living 
• simple life 
• living debt free
View Reel on Instagram
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
👢 taking care of what i have instead of always looking for something new🤎 • a little non toxic leather conditioner = another season wearing what i already own and LOVE • investing in good quality things that i care for year after year > constantly feeling like i need to consume and replace 👢 the 2 pairs of boots on the left are both over 7 years old 👢using Leather Honey to soften, protect and restore my favorite boots • sustainable living • living below our means • financial freedom • thrifting • second hand clothes • intentional living • simple life • living debt free
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 

💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💗 not giving advice here • just sharing our journey • living under our means allows us to live the life we LOVE • and gives us the margin to pay for the things that really matter, to save for the future and to have a less stressful life 💗nothing groundbreaking • just some simple choices we make every day • choosing to live a life with less CONSUMPTION and more CONTENTMENT 😊
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
🤍 i’ve always loved old things • the craftsmanship, the character, the stories they carry • they just don’t make them like they used to. 🤍
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
💗 REAL FREEDOM comes from a simple life • let’s normalize living below our means, paying cash instead of living in debt, living in small houses, cooking meals at home, wearing secondhand clothes, driving older cars without payments , and having an emergency fund tucked away. 💗 less pressure to have more • less pressure to compare ourselves to unrealistic social media lives • more freedom to enjoy what we have and the simply lives we’ve created 💗
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
@savorylotus
@savorylotus
•
Follow
👖🧥 natural fibers • neutral colors • timeless pieces • secondhand finds • quality over trends 💗 i don’t need more • just need what feels like me 💗 WHAT I PAID: * wool blend sweater from men’s section Goodwill $8 * white denim from Plato’s Closet $11 * J Crew cotton tank from local consignment store $9 * Leather belt from eBay $18
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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