Kale

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to think about shifting your diet in the direction of lighter foods.

Kale has been a buzz-word superfood for several years now, but I won’t blame you if you still haven’t taken the plunge to eat the leafy green in a raw salad. In a previous life, I worked for many years at a natural foods co-op. Their attention to organics, quality, and local foods informed much of my nutrition knowledge today, and thanks to my foodie-job, I learned a lot about scary vegetables. Kale, naturally, was a terrifying green upon first glance. Its leaves so hardy, its stems so woody, and its color so….green. How in the world can kale be delicious?

As a snacker, I graze all day. While veggies and hummus are usually my go to, every now and then I get a craving for something salty. It's tempting to grab a bag of potato chips overloaded in salt and full of carbohydrates. When I get that urge, I opt for kale chips instead. Gluten-free and vegan, kale chips are slightly salty and crisp in texture. They are a healthy treat that takes the guilt out of snacking and allows you to indulge. It's hard not to eat the whole bunch.

Kale seems to be all the health rage lately, but it makes complete sense. It’s absolutely one of the most nutritious foods! This leafy green vegetable is famous for its exceptionally rich nutrients, huge health benefits, and fresh flavor.  It is high in calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins (A, C, & K), fiber, and antioxidants. Eating kale on a regular basis can significantly benefit your health by lowering your cholesterol, reducing your risk of getting heart disease, and cancer. Kale even helps prevent you from getting chronic diseases.