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11/11/2013

Recipe: Kale Chips

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Once you try them you'll never go back. Kale chips might just become your new favorite snack. 
Don't worry, you won't have to feel bad about this addicting treat - because it's good for you!
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Kale is high in many great nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and manganese.
 It's anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic! 


Many studies have now shown that food sources of nutrients are better than supplements. Check out the two articles below to read more information about this.

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Recipe: 
Adapted from other recipes and a personal obsession with making Kale Chips

Ingredients:
1 Bunch of Kale
1-2 Tbsp of Olive Oil (depending on amount of kale used)
Salt to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Rip or cut your kale into bite size pieces. 
3. Toss the kale, olive oil, and salt to taste in a bowel. 
4. Spread the kale out in one layer on a baking sheet. 
5. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until cripsy. 
6. ENJOY THE DELICIOUSNESS

This recipe can also be adapted and made with Brussels sprouts! 

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Resources:
About the wonders of kale:
  • World's Healthiest Foods - A great resource for food/nutrient information


Articles on food as best nutrient sources:
  • Skip the calcium pills, opt for kale and dairy, study
  • Food best source of vitamins, study finds

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11/1/2013

Food as Medicine -                                Habits to Support Digestion

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PictureFriends resting in anticipation of Dinner
Discussions around food and nutrition often revolve around what to eat. But what about how we eat? How we eat affects our digestion. This can have long lasting effects on different aspects of our health. 

Why is proper digestion important?
  • Less stomach pain
  • Increased nutrient absorption
  • More energy
  • Less issues in the bathroom

Here are some simple steps that you can take to increase proper digestion:
  1. Smell your food – Smelling your food before eating it causes production of stomach juices and saliva, both of which help break down food properly. Saliva production is especially important because it predigests your food in your mouth before it gets to the stomach allowing for less work for the stomach. 
  2. Chew your food – Try to chew until it is liquid. In grad school we would say 31 times! This is very hard to do but every effort helps. Chewing your food adequately helps breaks it down into smaller particles that make it easier for stomach to break down. 
  3. Eat in a relaxed environment – Try to sit down to eat. Sitting and relaxing helps your increase your parasympathetic tone. The parasympathetic system is about resting and digesting. Resting increases the body's ability to digest. Often we tend to be in a more sympathetic state. The sympathetic system, sometimes considered the opposite of the parasympathetic system, is what allows us to 'run from the tiger'. It shunts blood flow to the muscles and away from the stomach, therefore decreasing digestion. This is why it is important to avoid stressful situations like driving a car while eating.
  4. Avoid eating in front of the television – When you eat in front of the television you are not focused on your food, leading to less chewing. Also, if you are watching "Walking Dead" you are probably stressed out!
  5. Practice Gratitude - This increases your parasympathetic tone and allows for a moment to stop and think before "digging in"! 

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10/21/2013

Rethinking Popcorn

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Popcorn is one of America's favorite treats.

But were you aware that there are dangers lurking in our microwave popcorn? The Environmental Working Group has linked chemicals in the lining of the bags to infertility and certain types of cancer! Have no fear, there are still other delicious ways to make and enjoy popcorn outside of using your microwave.

My favorite way to make to make popcorn is on the stove top using coconut oil. Coconut oil is good to use compared to many oils because it has a higher resistance to heat. Oils such as corn, soy, safflower, and canola are more susceptible oxidative damage from cooking on high heat. This damage causes the loss of any nutritional value the oil might have previously held as well as creates free radicals which are damaging to your body! Coconut oil is delicious and I also like to use it for stir-frying my vegetables. It doesn't need to be refrigerated.

But back to the popcorn….I found the best way to figure out how to make the best popcorn is trial and error. Each of my pots makes popcorn a little differently. Don’t be afraid to try it out and don’t give up if one batch (or five) doesn't work out!  If you are a sucker for details check out this lovely blog for a tasty recipe.

Sources:
Read about more foods to watch out for here
Information about cooking with Olive Oil
Information about Coconut Oil


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