A Fashionable Plate – Spring 2013 Pantone Food Pairings

• By hhk
• May 8, 2013
• 11 Comments

Whether your interests lie in fashion or food, this article’s for you.  I thought it would be a fun exercise to go through the pantones for the Spring Fashion season and pair them with some healthy foods we can all enjoy.  We saw in the Guest Editorial, a few weeks back (Hip Tips for Spring Fashion: Be Bold Be Beautiful), of what to expect by way of fashion; however hip style can be found on your plate as well.

Let’s take a look at the colors, and a few couplings with delicious and nutritious foods.  Let the food runway show begin…

photo credit: Pantone®

Blueberry (Dusk Blue: 16-4120)

photo credit: Kerry Wixted

Up first is this round beauty sporting a dewy look.  This ripening blueberry is growing with one of the highest anthocyanin antioxidant levels which combat cellular damage that free radicals cause in the body.  As you may also remember, the abundance of anthocyanins also guards the body from UV damage, making blueberries an effective natural sunscreen booster when ingested. Blueberries have also been shown to boost memory function as well as slow down cognitive degeneration associated with aging.

These heart healthy bites improve cholesterol levels and help regulate blood pressure so that it is in normal range.  Want the biggest nutrition benefit?  Eat them raw and make sure they are organic.

Lemongrass (Tender Shoots: 14-0446)

Check out the legs on our next runway superstar.  Mild, sweet lemongrass has been long known for its healing properties.  Citral, which is abundant in lemongrass, has strong anti-microbal and anti-fungal properties. Therefore, it is an effective immune system supporter.  Lemongrass is also high in folic acid and vitamins B5 and B6.

Image courtesy of antpkr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Anti-inflammatory, lemongrass contains the flavonoid luteolin which has been shown to be an effective cancer fighter and is useful for treating some of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.  It also aids in alleviating anxiety and nervousness.

You’ll typically find lemongrass in Asian cuisine such as Thai curry or at juice bars in shot form.  Try experimenting with lemongrass in your own kitchen by substituting it anywhere you would use lemon zest or ginger.

Goji Berries (Poppy Red: 17-1664)

photo credit: Marufish via photopin cc

Sexy goji berry takes the stage next and dominates with an eye-catching strut.  Native to the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet and Mongolia, goji berries pack a punch in a small package (some say they are the most nutrient dense of all fruit).  Goji berries contain all essential amino acids and have the highest protein concentrations found in any fruit. They also have 15 times the amount of iron found in spinach.

Immune boosting, an eyesight assistor, and circulation enhancer, goji berries don’t stop there.  They also promote longevity and improve sexual function and fertility according to Eastern medicine.  Sprinkle in oatmeal, add to your trail mix, or just eat plain.  (*Talk to your doctor if you are medications for diabetes, blood pressure, are on blood thinners or are pregnant before incorporating goji berries into your diet.)

Stinging Nettle (Grayed Jade: 14-6011)

photo credit: marfis75 via photopin cc

Prickly green herb stinging nettle makes its way front and center with an audience leaving a comfortable distance to watch from afar.  Despite its forewarning nature, this is one cantankerous friend you’ll want to hang out with after the show.  You see, this grayed jade pantone is spot on with what’s hip for spring.  Stinging nettle, a natural antihistamine, is exactly what you need to combat spring time allergies.  Typically in tea form, you can get relief from seasonal pollen right in your mug.

Nettle is also used to naturally cleanse the body, stimulate the lymphatic system, and aid in digestion.  It can also treat painful symptoms associated with arthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia.  Applied topically, nettle tea can relieve eczema and remove warts.

Purple Cauliflower (African Violet: 16-3520)

photo credit: aplysia_06 via photopin cc

This stunning and graceful lady has the nutritional power of white cauliflower with an added boost of anthocyanin antioxidants.

A member of the cruciferous family, cauliflower is great for aiding in digestion due to the high fiber content of the veggie.  Additionally, the high vitamin K content (and presence of glucobrassicin conversion to indole-3-carbinol) assists as an early regulator for inflammation.  As such, cauliflower has been identified as a cardiovascular health-friendly food (assisting the body with inflammation associated with the circulatory system).

This concludes our Spring 2013 runway show.  The hot numbers you saw today are for sale at your local farmer’s market.  Be sure to thank the designer, MO-Ther ERRRth (as the DJ spins a fresh beat) for these amazingly gorgeous “fashion-forward” foods.