Power Food Broccoli Salad

Parents know that kids really do say the darndest things.

One night friends from Webster invited me to join them for supper, Mom, Dad and sons Andrew and Nate. We sat down to chicken, rice and a big platter of steamy-green broccoli. I asked if the boys’ play toys included Power Rangers. “Sure!” exclaimed detail-happy Andrew and listed off Power Ranger guys.

I conjured a dramatic voice. “Do you know,” I began, pausing for effect, “that broccoli is a power food?”

Gregarious Nate looked impressed, as if glad to learn something so important. “No, I didn’t know that!”

And hence our table conversation turned to power foods, what we eat to grow strong and healthy bodies.

Now if you look for one definitive list of power foods, good luck. Reputable sources vary. Lists include leafy greens and artichokes, tomatoes and onions; soy and peanut butter, walnuts and almonds; spices like turmeric and ginger; kidney and pinto beans; blueberries, blackberries and cranberries along with cantaloupe and watermelon and apples, apricots, bananas and figs; plus odd ones (to me) like shiitake mushrooms and russet potatoes. But broccoli, broccoli is always on the list.

So for kids whose eyes go wide and whose bodies grow strong with the simple idea of power food, this one’s for you.