All hail to the power of kale!

Kale is one of my favorite vegetables- you can enjoy it in so many different ways (steamed, dehydrated, raw, fried) and it's health benefits are completely out of this world. This was a vegetable that I was pretty unfamiliar with until just a few years ago. I never saw it on the dinner table growing up (which is ironic, because we were SUCH a health conscious family), and didn't recognize it as anything I was familiar with or dared to experiment with in the grocery store.

Yet, a few readings on the nutritional benefits and a few daring attempts to try it when I noticed it in the Whole Foods salad bar line, and I was hooked.

First, a shameless plug for the kale in the Whole Foods salad bar: While insanely expensive, it's also so delicious. I've found it cooked in two ways, one is lightly steamed and the other raw and covered in a delicious garlic sauce. If you're looking just for a taste- I would recommend hitting it up there.

If you've never tasted it before, it is a bit of an acquired taste- sort of like sushi, so just be prepared. It's a bit hard to chew and very filling - all of those dark leafy greens and fiber in action!

So, why chew through this vegetable you ask? The reasons are endless....

Kale belongs to the Brassica family, which is a group of vegetables that includes cabbage, collards and brussels sprouts (all take a bit to get used to, all soooo good for you). Kale can be found in local grocery stores all year long, but it is "in season" from the middle of winter through the beginning of spring (right now!) when it just tastes sweeter!

The (super)powers of Kale...

• It fights fat
• High in fiber: And if you really want to enjoy its fiberous benefits, steam it
• Kale provides your with important cholesterol-lowering benefits
• Kale also helps boost body's detoxification enzymes
• Kale contains seven times the beta-carotene of broccoli, which protects your cells from free radicals and is an incredible source of vitamin A
• Kale is a great source of calcium, which helps fight osteoporosis and makes your bones strong!
  
• Kale contains folate and vitamin B6, which help to treat a number of health issues related to your heart, skin, depression, fatigue and with your nervous system
• The compounds found in kale allows for both antioxidant AND anti-inflammatory benefits to your body
• My favorite: Kale is a natural detox-er, providing your body's detoxification system with insane supports. Recent research shows that the ITCs made from kale's glucosinolates can help regulate your body's detox at a genetic level (!!)

At Eco-Fest this year, I discovered Kale Chips, and it was INCREDIBLE.
Kale Chips are simply dehydrated Kale, made to taste like potato chips- they are crunchy, thin, flavorful and (I think) taste even better! You can buy Kale chips at stores like MOMs Organic, Yes Organic or Whole Foods, but they are a bit pricey. So, I would recommend making your own.

Here was my adventure with making homemade Kale chips last night:

Set the oven to 300 degrees
Rip the leaves off of your Kale bunch (or bunches) and spread over a large cookie sheet
Dust the leaves with oil, pepper and garlic powder

Let them sit in the oven for about 15 minutes (until they are completely dried and crunchy)

Enjoy!