YumSugar

3 Reasons to Love Leafy Greens

Leta Shy — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:31:29 PDT

You've probably been told since you were a kid to eat your veggies, and perhaps none are as important as those leafy greens. And for good reason. Here are three important reasons to get more leafy greens in your diet.

They're packed with nutrition: Leafy greens pack a lot of nutrients in just one serving. For example, a cup of raw spinach gives you more than your daily recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which is crucial for healthy skin, eyes, and teeth (if you think that's impressive, check out the rest of this chart - a cup of romaine lettuce gives you twice the amount of vitamin A!). Other important nutrients you can find in greens include magnesium (an essential mineral that helps keep your body and mind feeling alert, relaxed, and functioning properly), iron, vitamin C, and cancer-preventing phytonutrients. Not only that but greens like spinach, kale, and bok choy give your body a healthy dose of calcium.

They're versatile: You don't have to chow down on a salad every day; leafy greens can be added to any number of meals. Sauté leafy greens in a bit of olive oil and seasoning for a healthy warm side, or steam the leaves for a few minutes to maintain even more of the nutrients. You can even sneak raw leaves into a juice or smoothie to get much-needed nutrients without having to go the salad route. For an indulgent way to sneak leafy greens into your diet, try making these vegan brownies with spinach baked right in!

They help you detox: The nutritious benefits of leafy greens don't stop at disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and chicory contain high levels of chlorophyll, which help your body detox and alkalize. Cabbage and other cruciferous veggies like broccoli, kale, and turnips help detox your body by promoting better liver function.

Have we convinced you? Try these five fast and easy ways to sneak veggies into your diet.

Try This Healthy Alternative to Potato Chips: Baked Kale Chips!

Zelana Montminy — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:46:21 PST

If you're a chip fiend, give up the greasy potato chips and snack on some kale chips instead. They are so easy to make - you only need three ingredients. Watch the video and see for yourself just how quick it is to make your own.

Killer App: Sautéed Kale and Burrata Bruschetta

Camilla Salem — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:33:00 PST

I had this dish as an appetizer recently at a restaurant and I thought it was such a great combination of flavors and textures. I couldn't wait to re-create it, and boy, was it easy. I love recipes that call for just a few ingredients that really let the ingredients and their natural flavors stand out. What makes this appetizer so great is the complementary textures: creamy, salty burrata with curly kale that has been freshly sautéed in a little bit of olive oil, and the crunch of the toasted, garlic-rubbed bread. These appetizers will bring any one who is unconvinced about kale into the light. What's even better about this recipe is that it literally takes 10 to 15 minutes to put together.

Want the recipe? Keep reading.

6 Inventive Recipes For the Kale-Curious

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:30:01 PST

We've all heard about the bounty of benefits a heaping helping of kale has to offer our stomachs and taste buds, but actually putting the dark, leafy green on your plate is a whole different story. Most of the time people are curious about kale, but they're just not sure how to cook it up. We've taken the hassle and heartache out of the process, and here is our delicious offering: six yummy recipes that incorporate some kale into your next culinary endeavor.

Go Green This Thanksgiving With a Jewel-Toned Salad

Susannah Chen — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:56:58 PST

A confession: after an entire season of eating Summer salads, lettuce leaves are feeling a bit tired and passé. So lately, I've been utilizing a bevy of nutrient-rich Winter greens instead. Inspired by the raw and sweet crunch of a brussels sprouts and kale dish, I tossed together medley of red swiss chard, young kale, toasted hazelnuts, and jewel-like pomegranate seeds. With a natural sweetness and plenty of pleasing crunch, it's my new favorite salad - and sure to be a hit on this year's Thanksgiving table. For a different Fall salad, keep reading.

From Soups to Smoothies: 7 Ways to Prepare Kale

Susi May — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:10:45 PST

Even though kale might be one of the healthiest veggies around - it's packed with vitamin, minerals, and cancer-fighting phytonutrients - it's also incredibly versatile. It's great in soups and smoothies and almost everything in between. Here are seven ways to prepare this hearty, healthy green.

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad Is Perfect For Fall

Susannah Chen — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:59:54 PDT

Generally speaking, I'm more of a salad gal in Summer and a braised greens lover once Fall begins to hit its stride. But recently, I've discovered the best way to reconcile the two: by utilizing dark, leafy brassicas in their raw form, massaging them by hand with a drizzle of Autumn-tinged maple vinaigrette until slightly wilted and tender. Case in point: this shredded brussels sprouts salad, which is the darling of my kitchen at this very moment. Adding some Lacinato kale really transforms this dish from a slaw to a salad, and it's got a pleasing bitterness that's offset so nicely with a tangy-sweet dressing. To add another layer of flavor and texture, I finish the whole thing with toasted sunflower seeds and raisins. Get excited for the season with the recipe.

Kale-icious Chips! DIY or Buy One of These Tasty Bags

Heather Dale — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 01:24:21 PDT

What's not to love about kale? This dark leafy green is in a league of its own in terms of its iron, fiber, and calcium content. Kale also contains the flavonoid called maempferol, which may help prevent ovarian cancer - win! Even better, when baked, kale makes a great chip stand-in for those times when you're craving something savory, salty, and crisp! To help increase your kale intake, here are some some delicious store-bought and homemade kale chip recipes to enjoy.

Sources: Flickr User joyosity, Flickr User aMichiganMom, Flickr User cireremarc

An OnSugar Recipe: "Cheesy" Vegan Kale Chips

OnSugar — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:54:09 PDT

OnSugar blogger touristachef carmen garcia shared this recipe for cheesy kale chips that are as healthy as you can get - vegan and baked!

Read the recipe after the break.

A Reader Recipe: Kale Slaw With Thai Peanut Dressing

Fit Community — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:06:40 PDT

This kale slaw will make a healthy alternative to traditional mayo-filled coleslaw at your next Summer barbecue. FitSugar reader Dara8182 posted it in our Healthy Recipe group.

This healthy and filling kale slaw is a fabulous alternative to traditional coleslaw. Vitamin-packed kale combined with red cabbage and carrots makes a fantastic side dish for your next cookout. The Thai peanut dressing is a flavorful, rich way to add some Asian flair to these healthy veggies.

Learn more about the recipe after the break!