Disclaimer: This article is for health information only. We are not responsible for any misuse of this article’s information. This is not intended to replace medical advice or guarantee any healing. We are moms sharing what we are learning as we care for our own families, not professionals in any medical field.
I love gardening! It is so restorative and grounding. It is a healthy blend of hard work and calming nerves. I like to cultivate an organic style garden with no chemical sprays or GMO plants. Each season has plants that excell and others that do not fare as well.
This year my kale has been excellent. I sold some, froze some, and eaten some fresh. Why is kale a great addition to your garden? There are many reasons for including this healthy vegetable into your diet if you are able to do so.
Kale is considered a superfood and cancer fighting vegetable. Its regulatory benefits can help with estrogen, heart issues, and the immune system. I believe God gave us food for medicine and medicine for food. It makes sense then that while this may not grant healing, eating the right foods (real food that God created and intended for us) will definitely give a beneficial boost to our health.
Kale is a dark leafy vegetable associated with collards and mustard greens. It belongs to the cabbage family. Kale can be eaten raw or cooked. Some opinions prefer kale in cooked form in order to neutralize oxalic acid.
What makes kale so nutritious? It is the richest of all leafy greens containing carotenoids. Kale contains absorbable calcium which can be a blessing to those struggling with osteoporosis, arthritis, or bone loss. It also has selenium which supports the immune system.
In addition to carotenoids, calcium, and selenium, other key nutrients found in kale include iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, pantothenic acid, fiber, folate, lipids, and amino acids. Kale also has a phytochemical called lutein, as well as chlorophyl. I like the variety of vitamins also found in kale which are B, C, E, and K.
I personally need a B-complex vitamin to help with energy levels, among other things. This is so beneficial for me to find that kale contains B1, B2, B3, and B6. Vitamin B is not just one vitamin. It is several forms put together which makes vitamin B more beneficial in its complex form.
I have used kale in several ways; sauteed, cooked in soups, and in a salad. By far it makes a fun melt in your mouth snack called kale chips.
I shred the kale from the stem in pieces.
Then, I place the kale pieces on a stoneware or cast iron baking dish.
I drizzle coconut oil (because right now it is a liquid in this summer heat) and sprinkle salt and pepper over the kale pieces.
Once I have fluffed the kale pieces thoroughly into the oil and seasons with my fingers, I bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until crispy.
After it cools a little, pop into your mouth and enjoy!
From my garden to yours,
Samantha
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