Super Fit Kale Chips

Are you looking to add some crunch to your day?

In a very satisfying healthy way?  Well have I got the thing for you.  Get your hand out of that bag of overly processed, salty, fatty, hard to resist chips.  You gotta try the kale chip….really you do!

There has been so much buzz about Superfoods in the media.  I refer to these big daddies of the healthy food world day in and day out.  They are worth all the pep talk ’cause Superfoods are the ones that’ll give you the most bang for the buck when it comes to high-energy, nutrient filled good for ya noshes.  If we are gonna put a food to the lips let’s make sure it also minimizes the hips.  Are we cool with that?  Ok, I know it’s hard to stay on track all the time, but can we work together and eat healthy most of the time.

Sure, we all have cravings for sweet, salty, crunchy, crumbly, gooey stuff.  It happens.  We just can’t give into those cravings all the time.  Then again, life is all about choices.  You can give into all your whims and cravings but then you might not end up loving the results.  When it comes to food most people I know do not crave steamed veggies & lean proteins all the time.  A diversity in our  foods are allowed and should be present in our lives.

Life is all about finding balance.

One of the things I love best about writing my Family Fresh Cooking recipe blog is that I can share my ideas with you.  Things that work for me and my family.  I am a really open person.  If you care to listen i’ll also share the things that don’t work so well.  I do like to keep the focus on the positive.  A great outlook and a smile makes the day a whole lot brighter, doesn’t it?

There are plenty of other ways I like to eat my carbs.  My Stuffed French Toast or Oatmeal Bowls—I love those carbs.  The chip in a bag, not so much.  My kids and my husband, they love chips.  From Sweet Potato to Whole Multi-Grain, they really dig them.

Finally I am jumping on the bandwagon.  I am adding a little crunch to my life.  My husband and kids are takers on these as well.  The Kale chip has been getting loads of press lately.  From other foodie blogs to health and fitness mags, people are eating these chippies!   I now understand why the Kale chip is such a huge hit.

Fresh Benefits

At Whole Foods the other day I saw a sign about Dr. Fuhrman’s Aggregate Nutrient Density Index aka (ANDI) The index is a coded list of foods that have the highest, nutrient dense profiles.  The foods that we traditionally refer to as Superfoods are included in this index.  He refers to folks that are into consuming food with the highest nutritional profile as “Nutritarians.”  I consider myself a Nutritarian and I am trying to induct my kids and you guys into this lifestyle as well.  To read more about Dr. Furman and ANDI click the following link:

Dr. Fuhrman: Author and Doctor for Well Being

Kale ranks super high on the list of Superfoods.  This cruciferous leafy green vegetable is jam packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.  Like Brussels Sprouts, Kale has antioxidants that can help protect against different forms of cancer.  It helps fight free-radicals before they cause damage to DNA.  Sounds like a Superfood to me!  To read more about the health benefits of Kale click the following links:

Whole Foods: Kale

Super Fit Kale Chips

• Source Organic ingredients when available
• You can add more nutrients and a cheesy flavor with Nutritional Yeast.  Sprinkle some on before you bake.
• Shop for ingredients at the Family Fresh Cooking Amazon Store

1 bunch organic Kale

Olive Oil Spray

Garlic Salt or Sea Salt

Smoked Paprika or any other spice you like! (Cumin, Curry Powder, Garam Masala, Chinese 5 Spice, Herbs de Provence, Thyme, Oregano, etc…)

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 350˚F
• Rinse kale & dry it well in a salad spinner.
• Trim leafy parts from stem and tear leaves into bite sized pieces
• Spray kale lightly with olive oil.  Season with salt and/or spices according to taste.  You will find you do not need much salt.
• Arrange kale on a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes and turn a few times with tongs while baking to ensure an even crisp n’ crunch on both sides.
• Your chips should come out crispy and slightly browned on the edges.  Once they start browning they burn quickly so be sure watch them carefully!
• Remove from oven and enjoy your Kale chips!  Adjust seasoning if desired.

These chips are best straight out of the oven.  You can still munch on them later, store in a paper bag to keep ‘em dry and crispy.

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FFC Community Happenings

Raw Vegan Foodie & Yoga Retreat

Ever wanted to learn more about Raw Vegan Foods?  How about a double dose of healthy lifestyle bliss: Raw Vegan Food and Yoga? You need to head over and visit Averie over at the fabulous foodie blog Love Veggies and Yoga.  You will love her blog!  Each day Averie gives us daily insight on her super fit, mindful, healthy lifestyle.  With honesty, wit and candor she shares her unique raw food/vegan recipes and daily yoga poses.

Guess what???  Averie is gearing up to share her knowledge with us live! She is teaching a week long Raw Food & Yoga retreat this August in sunny San Diego, CA!  To get details and grab a spot in this excellent opportunity please click the following link.  (While you are over there tell her I say “hi!”)

Love Veggies and Yoga: Raw Vegan Foods Beach Retreat

Stay tuned for more on Miss. Averie as I will be profiling her soon on FFC!

Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund

I am about half way there on my donation to the Red Cross Haiti Relief fund.  All you need to do is follow @familyfresh on Twitter and I am gonna write a check for $100.  One dollar per new follow!  Please copy and paste the following into the Twitter message field and click share:

Pls RT: Become a new Twitter follower @familyfresh & FFC will donate $1.00 per new friend up to $100 to Red Cross Haiti Fund. xo

Winners of FFC’s Coach’s Oats Give Away

Please click here to see if you have some oats coming your way!

Week Four of the Ten in ’10 Challenge

Can you believe it is the 4th week of the Ten in ’10 Get Healthy challenge?

You can join this awesome group of like-minded folks at any time (336 team members!)  Click the following link to learn more:

Ten in ’10 Healthy Challenge

By the way, your Super Fit Kale Chips will fit in really well with this healthy challenge!

Tagged as: chip seasoning, chips, crunchy chips, Dr. Fuhrman, guiltless chips, healthy, healthy snack, kale, kale health benefits, leafy greens, nutrient dense foods, Organic, Whole Foods