My friend and fellow Nutritionist Ashleigh was great to write a guest blog post for Just Get Fit on her vast knowledge of this nutritionally packed vegetable. She is also a kale chip making expert; so Ashleigh shares with us her secret to making the perfect kale chips. Yes I’ve had them a bunch of times, and they are definitely delicious, if not slightly addictive! Read on for some impressive health facts and a yummy recipe to finish off..
TRENDY KALE
Kale has become trendy. Yes, kale, as in the leafy green vegetable. It has become the cool kid in class – the football player with the 95% academic average who is going to Yale next year. Kale is going to Yale! Anne Hathaway did a kale diet. NBC profiled Uma Thurman’s “Smash” smoothie, which includes kale. Toronto has a restaurant named Kale (delicious, by the way). It’s even becoming an increasingly popular baby name.
Kale is a cruciferous vegetable whose family members include broccoli, cabbage, bok choy and cauliflower. It is extremely versatile. It can be steamed, sautéed, braised, juiced or even made into kale chips (see recipe below). Lightly cook at low temperatures to maximize nutrition.
Does kale deserve all of this attention? The simple answer…yes. Trendy kale used to be a garnish on our plates, overlooked and thrown aside by most. It has now moved front and centre to show off as the nutritional powerhouse that it is.
It has made it into the spotlight in recent years because of its amazing cancer prevention abilities. Research has shown that kale contains compounds that actually block cancer cell growth for several types of cancer including one of the most deadly, colon cancer.
Kale fights inflammation in the body, making it a great addition to the diets of those with arthritis, asthma or autoimmune disorders. It has cholesterol-lowering abilities thus improving cardiovascular health.
As a nutritional powerhouse, it is jam-packed with fibre, calcium, iron, manganese, potassium, vitamin A, C, B6 and a mega-dose of vitamin K.
This cool kid makes the most delicious, healthy chips. They are so easy and quick to make, as well. So, give your body something to smile about and give them a try!
KALE CHIPS RECIPE:
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit
- Remove the leaves from the stems and cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- Toss kale pieces in olive oil and lemon (try ¼ – ½ lemon) and sea salt to taste
- Bake for approximately 90 minutes
Note: Resist the urge to increase the temperature. Cooking at a low temperature dehydrates the kale and preserves much of the nutrition. Also resist the urge to add more oil because that will only make the chips soggy.
Ashleigh Cranston is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP) having graduated from the Institute for Holistic Nutrition. She also received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University. Ashleigh worked for a healthcare company in Boston managing their corporate wellness program. She implemented such initiatives as healthy eating, weight loss and stress management programs. While working for elements, a wellness centre for women, Ashleigh provided nutrition counseling to clients, while also running a variety of health and nutrition seminars. Most recently, she has been enjoying cooking and experimenting with recipes for her 13-month old twins. Follow her on her blog: 2moms2dogs2babies.com
