Have you been hearing a lot more about kale lately and wondered what’s so great about it? Well, kale is a true superfood. The most nutrient dense foods are vegetables, not whole grains like some people think. Kale is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and many other nutrients that are important for optimal health. Here are a few other nutrition facts about kale:
- Kale eases lung congestion and is beneficial to the stomach, liver and immune system.
- It contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect the eyes from macular degeneration.
- It also contains indole-3-carbinol, which may protect against colon cancer.
- Kale is an excellent source of calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and chlorophyll.
Kale chips are a staple in our house. They are extremely easy to make and a delicious side to your dinner. If you don’t love them the first time (like my husband), keep trying because they will grow on you. I absolutely love them! Here is the recipe I use:
Kale Chips:
Ingredients:
1-2 bunches of kale
Olive oil
Sea Salt (to taste)
Cumin
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Wash kale and remove from stalk, leaving the greens in large pieces.
- Put the kale pieces in a bowl, and drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the kale. Stir it together so the olive oil lightly coats all the pieces.
- Lay the kale out on a baking sheet and sprinkle with cumin & sea salt. Bake for 5 min or until kale starts to turn a bit brown. Keep an eye on the kale; it can burn quickly. Turn the kale over and bake with the other side up.
- Remove, serve, & enjoy!
An even greater way to enjoy kale’s benefits is to eat it raw. Here are 2 smoothie recipes that are delicious and include kale:
