Superfood of the Week: KALE!

This week's SUPERFOOD is KALE!!!  What's kale?  Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables on earth!  No joke.  Kale is a cruciferous vegetable; part of the Brassica family (which includes other cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, collards, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts). 

Just one cup of this amazing veggie contains:

36 calories

5 grams of fiber

15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

40% of magnesium

180% of vitamin A

200% of vitamin C

1,020% of vitamin K (Vitamin K is necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions, including normal blood clotting, antioxidant activity, and bone health)

Kale is also a great source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. 

Kale can also help promote good eye health due to it's high lutein and zeaxanthin compounds.  Also, Kale can help reduce the risk of heart disease and lower blood cholesterol levels, especially when cooked (as opposed to raw).  Also, rich in fiber this vegetables hails as KING in my book. 

Cooking it is preferable due to it's bitter taste.  There are many ways to eat this SUPERFOOD.   I found that making Kale Chips was the easiest way to consume this SUPERFOOD.  I know, I know Kale Chips sounds as if it is not a good alternative to regular potato chips, but you'd be surprised!  ***DON'T DISS IT, UNTIL YOU TRY IT!***

They are very delicate, so dipping them is kind of difficult... HEY, I just thought of a new dip recipe including crispy KALE!  YAY!  Love how recipes just pop up... But, back to the Kale Chips...

Here's a good recipe for making those crispy little wonders your new favorite Superfood!  

Here's to good, clean eats! 

EASY AS PIE, but way less calories and not as many steps... Haha! 

KALE CHIPS

Ingredients:

3-4 handfuls of Kale (I purchase my kale from Trader Joe's so it's already de-stemmed)

1-2 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Sea salt (Kosher salt will also do)

*If you like spicy, try sprinkling some Cayenne Pepper or Crushed Red Pepper Flakes with the Kale.  

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Using parchment paper on top of your baking sheet will greatly help crisp these delightful little dudes, so use it!
• Make sure your leaves are suuuuuper dry and have no moisture outside them... 
• Once dry, place in a large bowl and pour your EVOO (and sprinkle your spicy spices, but not your salt... salt will cause the Kale to release moisture which will cause them to wilt and get soggy... and who wants soggy chips!?!)
• After every leaf is cover with goodness, place evenly on your baking sheet.
• Cook for 12-15 minutes.  Be careful not to burn them! They'll become bitter and utterly dissatisfying! 
• Once crispy BUT NOT BURNT, remove from oven sprinkling your salt now! 
• Eat and enjoy!

Now, you have yourself a great recipe for some nutritious and delicious Kale Chips!  

I Haven't Left You Hanging (youtube video)

 ********    http://youtu.be/jobYeldnNNo   *********

My Introduction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqTKBzMIms4

Run for YOUR Life...

Today's run was awesome!   I didn't feel tired, bored, or distracted.  I was extremely focused and motivated.  I think the beautiful weather in Seattle has something to do with it.  Also, the fact my play list (via Pandora) was amazing.  Every song that played matched my every thought.  Rarely does that happen.  I think Pandora knows what I am thinking.  HAHA!  So, that right there put me in a fantastic mood.  I could have ran for another mile or so... But, my loop had ended.  I will have to map out a longer run for tomorrow. 

Focusing on why you are running, I feel, is the utmost important thing when you set out to run.  In fact, it's the most important thing to do before any exercise.  FOCUS helps you keep your head in the game and your eye on the prize.  I am focused on a healthier me... I am doing this for heart health, for my metabolism, for my therapy, for my LIFE. 

Those are just a few reasons why I run.   I also run to motivate others to do the same for their body, heart, mind, and soul.  After I run, I feel like electricity is surging through my body... All the endorphins from my adrenaline are pumping me up and providing me with a natural high that I LOVE!  I thrive off  that kind of high! 

I get the same feeling after a great, hard, sweat-filled workout, as well!!!  And, it's not just me that feels this way.  For most, that high is what starts the addiction to fitness and the overwhelming urge to continue for a lifetime.  Continuous exercise will keep you young, will keep you fit, will improve your mood, the way you eat, the way you think, YOUR LIFE overall. The benefits are endless!

Running is my cardio.  I love it!  I have really no idea where I was going with this blog, THANKS ADHD!  However, I wanted to let you know what I do to remain positive and focused on my running and why I run.  I run for my LIFE... I run for happiness, for exercise, to keep trim, for therapy... Haha!  Hopefully, you will experiencing these elated feelings or if you haven't you need to!  Get out there and start today!  Don't put off today until tomorrow... Before you know it weeks will have gone by with unfulfilled yesterdays. 

MY RUN TODAY:
I just ran 2.34 mi in 26:11 with a 11:13 min/mile pace using @MapMyRun. Check out my route! http://soc.li/ceiArbm#run #running

What's New for This Girl

Well, Friday has come and gone.  I was supposed to post what will be new everyday for Who's That Girl?!  However, I am back and ready to reveal what's new, what's hot, and what you can do to be a better, healthier, happier you! 

I have designated certain days to discuss and inform you all on the subjects I feel most important, yet easy to follow and will ultimately benefit each and everyone of you!  I care about YOU.  I care about YOUR happiness, YOUR health, YOUR well-being.  If you are not happy with yourself than other aspects of your life begin to suffer.  Most times it's your diet that begins to suffer first.  It's a lot easier to eat a cookie or bowl of ice cream than it is to deal with life's sometimes crucial issues.  So for YOU, the reader and my support system, I dedicate theses days to you:

MONDAY:
Superfood of the Week

I will be informing you, in depth, of what superfood you should incorporate into your clean eating consumption... if you haven't already.  You'll either love it and try it, or cringe and complain.  Eventually, after I endlessly emphasize it's nutritional benefits YOU'LL TRY IT!!! Haha.

TUESDAY:
Smart Snacking

This is a blog post entirely dedicated to the art of smart snacking.  There are numerous snacks which you can consume and yet not feel guilty about it.  I will provide you with the most nutritious snacks... and then it's up to you whether you like them or not... I have a feeling you'll enjoy them!

WEDNESDAY:
The Active You

Working out can become mundane after time.  You may even feel that your routine is stagnate and stall like a box of unwrapped whole wheat saltines.  That's why educating yourself and learning new moves or activities will rev up your body and introduce you to something new.  How much jumping rope can you stand?!  I know I get bored easily at times.  So, I try and switch it up with activities or moves that you wouldn't normally consider... But, now you will! 

THURSDAY:
Meal of the Week

Everyone needs, at some point, to revamp their personal menu.  By that, I mean reinvent or invent a new meal that you and guests alike (family, friends, co-workers) will enjoy.  More importantly, you know what your making is good for you and others!  My attempt is to get your taste buds flowing through clean eating meals.  I will feature breakfast one week, lunch another week, dinner another week.  Sometimes I might feature a meal two weeks in a row.  You'll enjoy Thursdays for more reasons than just it being that much closer to the weekend. ;-)

FRIDAY:
Sweet Treats

This is for all you SWEET junkies out there!  But, the twist is, I'm going to make them healthy!  JUST FOR YOU!  This was not an idea of my own.  I have to give thanks and acknowledgement to my wonderful, creative sister Lindsay who always comes in handy when I need to be creative.  Her help with Sweet Treats the clean way will be a hit amongst us all!  I wonder if her craftiness, design oriented mind, and ability to make the ordinary into extraordinary is what makes her an asset in not only my world, but the world of design and party planning... hmm, maybe... ANYWAYS, she inspired my Friday blogs.  She should really be the one blogging about this!!!  Stay tuned for healthy versions of decadent cupcakes, muffins, cookies, ice cream... and whatever is sweet and I am able to find a healthier version. 

SATURDAYS:
Shopping Cart Essentials

Can you guess what I might be blogging about on Saturdays?!  Haha, ways to make that grocery cart look like a produce stand rather than the nabisco cookie dream team!  Most people happen to shop on the weekends after a full work week.  And, even if you don't you can still utilize this information to grocery shop at anytime! 

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So, that's the big announcement I am sure you all have been diligently waiting for!  HAHAHAHAHA!  Now, I will continue to provide you with motivational tips, random recipes, tips here and there.  I want YOU to use the tools and knowledge I am giving you to be a HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, BETTER YOU!  Be good to yourself because in the end, all you have is you!  I want you around for awhile and I want you healthy and smiling.  Your smile makes me smile.  If I can help one person everyday, my destiny in life is being fulfilled... just as yours is by getting your HEALTHY SELF BACK.  Keep in touch by checking out what everyday can provide you with.

Again, if you have any questions or concerns... even advice LET ME KNOW!  I am here to help YOU!