KALE I help you?

I really do KALE about you and that’s why I’m writing this post.  From my heart to your heart I felt KALEpelled to KALE you about my twisted love affair.  So the story begins…

Two years ago I had only heard about KALE, an age-old food that seemed to be making an astounding come back. Kale, the new super food of 2014, was crowned.  What was all of the hub bub about this tough leafy like lettuce looking substance? I couldn’t wrap my head around all of the hype behind the kale craze. I was bewildered and lost!

I’m certain now that it was because we had NOT been improperly introduced and let’s just say it was NOT love at first sight or first bite!

My introduction to kale was my own fault.  I do what I usually do and I dove in head first!  I purchased all things kale! I went to the store and loaded up.  I bought kale chips, dried flavored kale leaves, raw fresh kale, and kale strips!   I even spent money on a pre made kale salad.

Y’all…my Mr. Chicken Fry had a field day with my kale leaves!  True to form, and in his words… “Let me get this straight…you’ve lowered yourself all the way down to eating dried leaves with pepper and salt?  Honey, you really have reached an all time low.”

He went on to tell me that I could probably save a tone of money by freeze drying my own leaves from the back yard and eating air!!! I must say, we had a great laugh about eating paper-thin green scarry looking kale strips 😝.

I acquiesced and filed “kale” away into the super food but super yucky to eat category.

Then,shortly after I had turned my nose up to kale, my best friend invited me to dinner.  She served a kale salad with a homemade lemon honey vinaigrette dressing and topped it off with pine nuts.  It was to die for yummy.  How could this be?  The kale salad was the perfect mixture of sweet and sour with a crisp fresh crunch.  She told me the secret…she massages her kale!  DUH!!  Why didn’t I think of that?  Like I said in the beginning kale has been around the block.  Kale is old, it needs TLC and four play!

Put a little elbow grease into massaging the kale.  This makes it soft…not limp..but soft.    Girls, I licked my plate clean. Honey and lemon…yes please!

Since then, I crave it. It’s almost a thirst quencher.  It’s nutrient rich and loaded with vitamins!  I mean LOADED!  It’s the most healthy leaf, a cabbage derivative, in the world.  High in protein and fiber and low in calories and fat!  It has cancer fighting properties and a plethora of other health benefits.  Digestion is at the top of the list.  ROCK ON!

Now I’m a full on KALE SNOB!  I buy two or three bushels at a time,  I rip it up and put into a bowl, spray it down with lemon and stick it in the fridge for snacking. I heart kale.

Quinoa & Kale Breakfast Bowl

You’ve probably heard of quinoa – it is hailed by some as the new super food. It’s high in protein (12%-18%) and contains a balanced set of essential amino acids – this means it’s a surprisingly complete protein. It’s also high in fiber and iron. And, as if the edible seeds didn’t have enough going for them, NASA is thinking about growing it in space.

Quinoa is quite possibly the perfect thing to have for breakfast to start your day off on the right foot.
Servings: 1

Here’s what you need:

1/2 cup quinoa, cooked in water according to instructions on package
1 Tablespoon golden raisins
1 Tablespoon date pieces, chopped
1 Tablespoon almonds, chopped
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
Drizzle of pure maple syrup
1. Top cooked quinoa with raisins, date pieces, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 344 calories, 5g fat, 59g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, and 12g protein.

Remember, I KALE about you.

Love,