So I think that we are all aware that scoffing potato chips on a daily basis is not an ideal health- promoting behaviour. Yes they may fill our craving for fat and salt, but they are basically empty calories, with everything beneficial found in the humble potato fried out of them at high heat and in fact chips can be potentially harmful for our health as they are often loaded with trans-fats from the oils they are cooked in and trans-fats raise our ‘bad’ cholesterol while pushing down our ‘good’ cholesterol. Not good. So what’s the alternative? Well that’s where Kale Chips come in! Kale Chips if you haven’t tried them are absolutely delicious, they are super easy to make as well as packed with loads of great stuff for our health. So whereas potato chips are fine for the occasional picnic or road trip I urge you to give homemade Kale Chips a go on your regular snack list. I made a batch yesterday with some Kale that was seriously wilting in the fridge and took them to an after school playdate and the three kids there were literally stuffing them in the mouths- they are a wonderful way to get copious greens into your kids!
Personally speaking too, raw kale is not good for me as I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune under active thyroid condition, and raw kale can interfere with the health of my thyroid gland. This is because cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard greens, turnips, and watercress are unique in that they are rich sources of sulfur-containing compounds known as glucosinolates. Glucosinolates form a substance called goitrin that can suppress the function of the thyroid gland by interfering with iodine uptake, which can, as a result, cause an enlargement of the thyroid. So beware of consuming regular green smoothies if you have a thyroid issue!
So just what are the benefits of kale?
Kale just happens to be one of the most nutrient dense foods available to us (hence the manic popularity in hipster cafes)
Kale is loaded with powerful antioxidants like quercetin and kaempferol, which are anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, lower blood pressure, work as anti-cancer agents
Kale is an excellent source of Vitamin C, boosting our immune health and keeping our skin and hair supple and vital
Kale is high in Vitamin K, which helps our blood to clot effectively (not to be confused with Vitamin K2 which protects against heart disease and osteoporosis)
Kale is high in minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which most people lack in their diet
So now that you know the benefits on with the RECIPE!
First pre-heat the oven to 175 C
Take a medium bunch of kale, wash and dry thoroughly with a tea towel
Then strip the main vein from each leaf, either by tearing by hand or using a sharp knife to cut
Take a large tablespoon of coconut oil and massage into the cut pieces of the kale leaves
Place on a large baking tray lined with baking paper and spread out
Sprinkle over fine sea salt, garlic powder (and ginger powder too to add a bit of zing if you fancy, I prefer just garlic and salt)
Bake for 10-15 minutes until crispy ( keep an eye on them so that they don’t burn!)
Keep in an airtight glass container, they will store well for a good 5-7 days, but they never last this long!
I hope that you love this recipe, its taken from my Easy Spring Detox, available now to download and begin now HERE and filled with loads of other fresh, delicious ideas to reset your system prior to the silly season!
In good health,
Victoria xoxox
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