Kale

Kale, glorious kale!! This curly green leaf is becoming my firm friend. Since I started this raw food quest, I have consistently read about the benefits of kale, so in my journey to put health before pleasure, I started buying this broad leathery leaf and must admit I was quite sceptical at first. The leaves are tough, so I was expecting something hard to chew and very earthy tasting.

I was very surprised to find it easy to eat raw and very mild in taste. So mild in fact that it's a great base for almost anything. It does not overpower any meal and I have grown to love this little leafy green. If you slice it very fine (like you would Chinese cabbage), you can't go wrong.

Here are some of the health benefits: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Health-Benefits-of-Kale&id=136177

(Sorry, blogspot doesn't let me copy and paste, so I've added a link instead)

My only grudge with it is that it doesn't last long once you bring it home. If you are like me and avoid shopping like the plague, that poses a bit of a problem.

Because of this, growing it at home is the best solution. So, if you have a little space and are willing to give it try - Grow Some Kale.

Please.

Do it for me.

This is my favourite kale salad from Martha Stewart. I love it. It's addictive. It's simple, and yummy.

http://www.wholeliving.com/recipe/raw-kale-salad-with-gouda-pear-and-walnuts

Obviously if you are trying to be totally raw, you will leave out the cheese (I did). If not, then add the cheese and let me know what you thought.

By the way, I have no idea what Russian kale is and I certainly didn't find baby Russian kale. I just bought whatever was in stock.

I also tend to play with ingredients. For example, I love chives and have plenty in the garden, so in this recipe I just added a whole handful instead of the 6 stems required.

Play with it. Make it yours.

Enjoy.

(Photo: www.marthastewart.com)

DAY 25... The sun shone brighter

Today. Which is how I like it. After my grey sky day yesterday I woke up ready to tackle the universe. Okay, so maybe 'tackle' is a strong word, let's face it if my sparring partner is the universe, we know who has the leverage to win, and I'm not that stupid. If I'm going to take someone on, I have to at least have half a chance of winning.

Nevertheless, I looked the universe in the eyes and said 'you will not beat me, I will win this' or something to that effect. I might have hung my head a little and mumbled as I said that, just in case the universe decided on a quick retribution.

Then I went out for my morning walk. I lengthened my gait, increased the tempo of my stride, held my head just a little higher, thrust my jaw forward, swung my arms a little more determinedly and definitely, definitely mumbled to the universe under my breath.

Yesterday might have been a hurdle, but today I was going to show that hurdle just how high I could jump. I sat down and re-read all the goals I had written down before I started this little journey. Goals are important when you venture into the land of Raw, they remind you what you are aiming for. They help you navigate the over abundant obstacles of cabbage and carrot and kale. They remind you why you started this crazy little journey in the first place. They set you straight.

I went to yoga and did the 90 minute class instead of the 60 minute class. Yes, I was going to get as much stinky sweat out of me as I could before thrusting my jaw in the general direction of the universe again and mumbling 'look here buddy, I will win'.

And now I'm going to celebrate.

Why? Because today I looked frustration and weakness and anger and lethargy in the face and I out-stared all of them.

Why? Because I can, simple as that.

Why you ask? Because in the words of Maya Angelou - I am woman, Phenomenal Woman. http://www.feminist.com/resources/artspeech/insp/maya.htm

(Photo by Robby M - Australia)