The Snack

Snacking has the potential to seriously mess up our healthy eating streak in a day. Let's face it, a snack is a last ditch effort to ease the hunger pains. Meaning, we're probably "starving" and feel the need to pop something into our mouths immediately so that we don't pass out. Or, this is just me. Or, was me when I hit my crazy blood sugar highs and lows. Since cutting gluten, I haven't had the "must eat or I will die" feeling, which is nice. Regardless, a little snack is a nice addition to our day if it's a choice made mindfully. SO, to help me out, I have a little list taped inside my cupboard (where most of the snacky things lie) that offers me healthy snack ideas. And I have to admit, this little piece of paper stops me in my tracks and helps to steer me in a guilt free direction.  

Yesterday, I read a blog post (I actually read quite a few, so I don’t remember where these sage words came from, I apologize) about how we use the excuse of time to procrastinate on truly simple and quick tasks, when actually executed take no real time at all. Or a surprising amount of miniscule time, when we probably wasted about half that time thinking about how much time it would take us to complete the task. In my case, I would then do something totally pointless, just to avoid the task. Yet, there it is, still looming over me to be completed. I can currently vouch for this theory as I've been thinking the bathrooms have needed to be cleaned for a few days now. I know, that if I just do them, it only takes me a total of 30 minutes tops, which always surprises me, especially as I'm goovin' to sweet tunes helping my spirits and time to fly. And, I so LOVE the feeling of a clean bathroom! So why delay? I am a classic procrastinator. But hey, I'm working on it. I'll do the bathrooms after I write this...

ANYway, my point is that where I haven't been slacking is the kitchen and more specifically, my snacks. Or, if you want to dig even deeper into the meaning of it all, my health. I know this has been my downfall in the past. A quick handful of chocolate, cookies, salty bits...etc. Mostly packaged or processed. Since Rob and I barely purchase anything packaged or processed any more (helpful tip #1), I don't have quick hunger fixes at my finger tips and it's really helped me realize how a healthy, guilt free, delightful snack is seriously moments away from my taste buds and growling tummy.  

Case in point, yesterday afternoon's "you've got to be kidding me these are amazing" discovery: Kale Chips.

I had a bunch of Kale that was going bad. I usually throw a few leaves into a daily smoothie, but I wasn't getting through the bunch fast enough. When my afternoon snack attack occurred I opened my cupboard and lo and behold there was a quick recipe for Kale Chips. Now, I've actually attempted these before, but I burned them or over seasoned them and was never that impressed. Yesterday, I paid attention to the 15 minutes it took me to make these, with a few of my own choice improvisations-boy oh boy was I taken aback. These little salty treats could replace any other chip I once knew. I was going to serve half of them and put the rest away, but Rob and I gobbled them up before I could set the bowl down. Hence, no photo. Hopefully, this little blog entry is enticing enough without a photo, but I promise, next time I make these, I will snap a shot and post it.  For now, here's a photo of the product in the raw.

Photo
 

 

Kale Chips:
1 bunch of Kale (really you can't go wrong with making A LOT, put some away for tomorrow's snack attack)
olive oil
salt
curry powder (my favorite addition, but not necessary)
 
1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees
2. Rinse the kale, pat dry. Cut out the stems and chop into your favorite chip size pieces. Go for consistency here so they bake evenly.
3. Toss kale bits into a large bowl. Drizzle olive oil, splash with salt, add a pinch of curry powder. Go slow on seasoning; a little goes a long way. Massage kale with your hands until all pieces are covered.
4. Spread kale bits onto a baking sheet and put into oven for 10-12 minutes. My oven is wacky so I check often and toss around once halfway through. They'll be crispy and melt in your mouth when ready. 
 

Enjoy and be proud of yourself, you’ve just done a body good.

(For a lovely photo, an alternative recipe and the bonus health benefits of Kale, check out: The Fresh Fork).