At OHI, we LOVE Kale! Kale is part of the cabbage family and is considered a cruciferous vegetable. It’s versatile, tasty, easy to prepare, available year-round and goes with almost everything. With a hearty flavor that is slightly bitter and a deep green color, kale is a wonderfully versatile and healthy vegetable that you should be eating more often. Kale is available year-round in grocery stores and easy to grow at home, and it can be dressed up for any season. In the winter, kale pairs nicely with beets and other hearty vegetables, but it can be lightened up with a tangy citrus vinaigrette for summer as well. Here is a look at some of the distinctive benefits that kale has to offer beyond its tasty flavor.
Some of its benefits include:
Cancer prevention
Because kale is high in vitamin K, it protects the body from several types of cancer while supporting normal bodily functions such as bone regeneration. The anti-inflammatory properties of kale also contribute to its cancer-fighting powers.
Brain health
Kale is surprisingly rich in omega-3 fatty acids, providing about 10% of the recommended daily value of these healthy fats per serving. Omega-3s support brain health by slowing the natural degeneration of brain cells and improving blood circulation to lower the chances of stroke.
Healthy detoxification
Along with a multitude of vitamins that your body needs, kale contains sulfur and fiber, which cleanse the liver of harmful toxins. Therefore, kale gives your body what it needs while taking out what it doesn’t.
Lean nutrition
One of the most amazing nutritional properties of kale is its low calorie count. Kale offers such a broad array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to the body, but one cup of it only contains about 36 calories and five grams of fiber.
Kale is a staple ingredient in the raw recipes shared through the holistic healing program offered at Optimum Health Institute over three week-long sessions to be taken consecutively or independently.
From Our Kitchen to Yours: Recipe for Kale Chips
1 bunch kale, torn into pieces, stems removed
1 1/2 cups sesame seeds, soaked overnight
1 red bell pepper
1 whole leaf dulse
Seasonings to taste, such as cayenne, garlic, or onion
Water, as needed, to thin batter
Place sesame seeds, bell pepper, dulse, and seasonings into Vita-Mix canister. Place kale into mixing bowl and massage to soften. Blend seed mixture thoroughly and pour onto kale. Mix well with hands. Place pieces of kale onto dehydrator trays lined with Paraflex sheets and dehydrate at 105 degrees for 48 hours or until dry and crispy.
Savor nutrient-rich kale dishes and other delicious raw, live, organic vegan meals during a stay at the Optimum Health Institute. To learn more about our holistic healing program in San Diego or Austin, visit Optimum Health Institute. We can help you achieve your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual goals for optimal health. To make your reservation, call us at (800) 588-0809.
