Kale-Full

If kale is so good for you then why does it taste so bad?

I am trying to eat more kale this year because everywhere I look I see articles about the incredible health benefits of eating more kale.  Kale is that dark leafy green vegetable that you find in the same section of the grocery store where the lettuce is shelved.  It looks like it would taste good but it's deceiving.  At least it is to me.

According to WebMD, kale is a powerful antioxidant, kale is high in fiber, kale has zero grams of fat, kale lowers cholesterol, kale is super rich in vitamin K.  Eating a diet rich in the powerful antioxident vitamin K can reduce the overall risk of developing or dying from cancer, says a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Kale is the superstar of vegetables and I'm a fool not to eat more of it.

Taking care of yourself by watching what you eat and resting helps you heal.  Listen to your body, and learn to be aware of its stress signals.  When you are feeling anxious about your circumstances, try to relax by closing your eyes, taking deep breaths and keeping your breathing regular. 

I want to like kale, I really do.  But the flavor is so strong, and to me, it's not in a good way.  I smell the kale before I even try to eat it and I am so turned off that I have to remind myself that kale is good for me in order to continue.  I tried coating it in olive oil and spreading it out on a baking sheet and baking it to make kale chips but I thought it tasted awful.  It was so yucky that I had to spit it out.  I couldn't stand the taste.

Tonight I am going to try my sister's suggestion of mixing the kale leaves with olive oil and sauteing it with some garlic.  Now that might make it taste A LOT better because I love garlic.  I certainly hope it's better because I have to find a way to eat more of this great vegetable.

What are your favorite ways to eat kale?

Mojo for 2012

Whenever I find myself straying off the path of being healthy and positive, I go read my Kris Carr books.  Carr, an author, motivational speaker, wellness coach and cancer survivor, is always uplifting for me.  She provides down-to-earth tips on self care along with other insights about living a healthy lifestyle.

To jumpstart your mojo for 2012, try to focus on the priorities in your life and what inspires you.  Don't be afraid to put yourself out there.

Below is a link to a recent post on Kris Carr's website, Crazy, Sexy, Life (http://www.crazysexylife.com/).  While this particular post is from a guest blogger who is a doctor writing to an audience of cancer warriors, I think the post also has some great take away messages for all of us:

http://crazysexylife.com/2011/survivor-tips/