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Kale Chips – The Perfect Snack Before Bedtime or Anytime!

Kale Chips > The BEST Bedtime Snack? We think so…

Are you looking for that perfect snack that will fill you up, help you sleep and nourish your body at the same time?  Look no further than kale chips!

First of all, here’s some background information about kale.  Kale is a green or purple vegetable that is similar to cabbage and spring/collard greens. There are many types of kale that are classified into different kale families depending on their leaf type.

Learn more about types of kale

There are 5 main types of kale, all of which have great nutritional value. Here are the kale types: 1. Curly Leaved kale (also called Scots Kale) 2. Plain Leaved kale 3. Rape Kale 4. Leaf and Spear Kale (this is actually a naturally crossed curly leaved and plain leaved kale) 5. Cavolo Nero (also called Dinosaur Kale, Black Cabbage, Tuscan Kale or Tuscan Cabbate) The Curly Leaved and Dinosaur Kale types are most often found in grocery stores.

Kale is packed full of nutrition and is often called a ‘superfood‘.

Learn more about kale as a 'superfood'

All types of kale are calcium rich and very high in beta carotene, vitamin K and vitamin C, making them one of the world’s best superfoods. Kale is a source of two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. In addition kale contains sulforaphane, a chemical with potent anti-cancer properties. Kale is also a source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells. Kale has been found to contain a group of resins known as bile acid sequestrants, which have been shown to lower cholesterol and decrease absorption of dietary fat. The USDA full report on kale’s nutritional value is located here: http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2969?qlookup=11234&format=Full&max=25&man=&lfacet=&new=1

All forms of kale can be easily prepared, whether eaten raw (within a salad) or juiced or boiled or cooked.

One of our favourite ways to prepare curly-leaf or dinosaur kale is by making them into kale chips.  It’s fun, easy, quick and tastes really great!  Kale chips are also an ideal snack for the entire family.  Below is our kale chips recipe that will take you less than 20 minutes!

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Kale Chips Recipe > An easy kale chips recipe for you to follow…

Recipe makes 1 serving (great for up to 2 people) and will take roughly 20 to 25 minutes to prepare.  Here are the ingredients for the kale chips recipe:

  • 5 large leaves of Curly Leaved or Dinosaur Kale (about 1 bunch)
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • sea salt

The kale chips recipe method is:

  • Wash and tear the kale into chip sized pieces
  • Drain water off the kale pieces
  • Melt the coconut oil
  • Toss the kale in the coconut oil
  • Put the kale onto a baking sheet
  • Sprinkle sea salt onto kale
  • Roast at 350F for about 15 minutes

Keys to the kale chip recipe:

  1. The kale will shrink, so make sure your pieces are not too small
  2. Don’t drench the kale in the coconut oil … just toss it
  3. Sea salt is not necessary, but gives the chips a great flavour
  4. Roasting time depends on your oven so take the kale chips out when crispy
  5. Once crispy, take the kale chips out and put onto paper towel to soak up excess oil

For those who have troubles falling asleep, kale chips are the perfect bedtime snack as they help kick-start the production of your sleep hormones!