Kale Avocado Salad

 Recipe slightly adapted from the lovely kitchen of Ms Caroline Dupont. Caroline was one of my teachers from nutrition school and has continued to be one of my mentors in the field of health and wellness! One of the most beautiful people I have ever met, inside and out! Thank you Caroline for all of your inspiration!

www.carolinedupont.com

Kale is a super powered leafy green vegetable that is located in the lonely part of the grocery store along with all of the other leafy greens. Kale contains the most bang for your buck when it comes to nutrition. What I am saying is that.....YOU SHOULD EAT YOUR KALE!

Here is kale growing! I think many of us are disconnected from where food actually comes from. Here is it, in the ground..... Remember....real food is not made at the grocery store, it comes from the earth :o)

One cup of kale supplies us with 70% of the RDA of vitamin C. It is also a rich source of B6, manganese, fibre, as well as many minerals including copper, iron and calcium! Kale has 3 times more calcium than phosphorus, which is a highly beneficial ratio since high phosphorus consumption is linked to osteoporosis. So many of us think of dairy for calcium....kale is a much better source of "easy to absorb" calcium. A must for anyone concerned about bone health.

Kale also contains plant nutrients that help balance hormones for men and women. Indole 3 carbinols and sulforaphane are 2 big fancy words that can help reduce PMS and menopausal symptoms and help prevent prostate problems in men.

So now the question is......how the heck do I eat that weird leafy green stuff??? I knew that's what you were thinking, I get it all of the time. Well, first of all you could try my simple Yummy Greens recipe, my favorite kale chips (from Elanas Pantry) or start your day off with a green smoothie. Or you can try this amazingly healthy, enzyme rich raw kale salad. The problem with eating raw kale is that it can be hard to digest because of the cellulose. In this salad you marinate the kale in sea salt and lemon juice, both help to break down that fibrous cellulose making it much easier to digest. 

This salad has been enjoyed by many in my household. And by many who really thought they didn't like kale. It is such a great way to ease people into greens, because it tastes great and is easy to make! 

I dare you to try it??

• 1 head kale, thick centre stem removed, sliced fine
• 1 avocado, halved, flesh scooped out of peel
• 1/4 vidalia onion, chopped
• 2 ½ tbsp. olive oil
• 1 ½ tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. Celtic sea salt
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, sliced in 1/2

In a large salad bowl, toss together all ingredients (except tomatoes and onions), using your hands to squeeze as you mix to wilt the kale and cream the avocado together. Add the tomatoes after mixing. Serve!

This is my favorite variety of kale. You cannot get it everywhere, but I find that I can get it pretty consistent at Longos and most health food stores!

SHARE WITH ME! What is your favorite way to enjoy kale?? Or, if you have never had it before; What is holding you back from trying it??

I love to hear your comments and feedback in the comments section below!