Saturday, March 5, 2011

Fields of Green

We live in a winter state. Winter as in 9 months of the year we've got snow on the ground. Winter. Winter. And more WINTER. Did I forget to mention that it's snowing as I sit and type away? Winter.

Living in a winter state is hard, but it's also beautiful. Beautiful, excepting when the snow blends with motor oil, begins melting and is splashed upon every surface within the spray's reach. But never mind that, we're not even to the melting stage.

And snow is beautiful excepting when the long winter months have caused your 30-something body to go into hibernation mode and pack on a few "survival" pounds. And it's all the snow's fault, really! I'm sure there's some biological data out there to support this hypothesis of mine.

In any case, and really I do have one, the vegetative color green shows up only in supermarket produce isles. And you know what? That's good! Very good in this case. Because when produce gives you greens, oil them, add salt and pepper, and turn it into chips! And these chips? They'll only help the poundage issue that is a directly linked with snow.

Kale, oiled with salt and pepper, ready to be baked.

Not only are these beauties simple, delicious, and healthful but your family will love you for them. And you'll feel like a superhero for giving your family the nutrient punch that comes inherently in kale chips.

The finished product, baked to crunchy perfection.

And the best thing about these? Brace yourself.... The best thing about kale chips is the lingo you can teach your family to go along with them. I made up and coined the following phrase, so much so that all I have to do is look at my kids and say, "Remember, treat your colon..." and they finish with, "like you wear it on the outside". Think about that one folks!

Kale Chips

1 bunch of kale, preferably organic
about 2 T. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Wash and dry kale completely. Tear leavess from stem, so as to avoid the chewy lower stalk. Set leaves on a large baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Massage the oil onto each leaf and then spread the leaves out on the sheet so that they don't touch . Salt and pepper to your taste.

Bake for approximately 10 minutes, but be sure to watch them closely because these babies go from done to torched in mere seconds.

Enjoy, and always remember to treat your colon like you wear it on the outside!

Conquering the world one colon at a time,
Jennie




3 comments:

Mom Keena said...

We love these at our house! Delish!

Anonymous said...

Looks Yummy!

Anonymous said...

Can't help myself, but I'm hearing my kids say, "This is something Aunt Susan would have tried to feed us." Like mother-in-law, like daughter-in-law.

That is truly a compliment, Jenni.

Love ya,
Aunt Sally