Avocado and Kale Salad

The general rule of thumb for lettuces and greens is the darker the better. Iceberg lettuce does not pack the same nutritional punch as spinach. In fact, I never buy it anymore. I really hate washing and prepping a head of iceberg. It is just not worth the effort for its lack of flavor and nutritional value. I much prefer dark leafy greens. That being said, there are some leafy greens most people will not touch dressed much less buy fresh and undressed at the grocery store. Kale and collards are intimidating for most people even though we all know they are packed with nutrition. In fact, Kale contains compounds that produce enzymes that fight cancer and is used in anti-cancer diets. It eases congestion, contains powerful anti-oxidant properties, aids in digestion and is a great source of calcium, iron and vitamins A and C. Still, Kale just never appealed to me with it's rough edges, tough texture and bitter flavor. It's just one of those vegetables we know is good for us, but don't eat because we just aren't sure what to do with it. Recently, I tried it raw in a salad form and was really surprised at how delicious it was. Because it is a tough green it stands up well to acidic dressings that can wilt spinach to mush in a matter of hours. It's even tastier the next day. So, here is my version of the delicious salad I tasted and loved.

Avocado and Kale Salad

1-2 bunches of raw kale, washed trimmed of stalks, and chopped into bite size pieces
1 ripe avocado
4 green onions chopped
juice from 1/2 lime (plus or minus for flavor)
salt to taste

Mash avocado with lime juice, salt and onions in a small bowl. In a large salad bowl add chopped kale and toss thoroughly with avocado dressing. Allow to sit and marinate for about 30 minutes before serving.

This recipe is really easy and delicious. My husband is willing to try anything I make, but when I mentioned kale salad he made sure I wasn't going to be offended if he didn't like it. Well, the skeptic gobbled it up and went back for seconds. Even my 3 year old daughter ate two bites without spitting it out! I did have to bribe her with promises of a cookie to try it. Whatever works, right?

A Not-So Triumphant Return

Being very aware of my absence here on Blogger, I must apologize for my lack of effort. However, I do have a good excuse. As most of you who read my blog know I was recently hired by a retail grocery chain specializing in natural foods and products. As part of my employment agreement I am not allowed to promote or disparage the store in any way. So, I was unsure of how to proceed with my food blog. I will not mention the name of the store here, but I will share with you some of the wonderful things I am learning.

My recent job search seemed endless because I was just not getting much of a response, but it turned out well in the end. I am very happy to be working in an industry I love and beginning to feel very passionate about. Eating healthy and enjoying natural non-processed foods is the direction I want to take my family and my friends. My job is definitely a natural fit for me, and I am very excited about my future with the company.
One of the most valuable things I am learning is that it really does not have to be expensive to eat healthy. You just have to get creative and find a store with valuable resources to guide you along the way. There is also no need to feel intimidated by specialty natural food stores. Just because they are special does not always mean they are expensive. Most specialty grocers offer inexpensive products along with specialized foods. If you plan your shopping trip and stick to your list you can find everything you need and not break the bank. It is usually all the wonderful little extras you don't plan for that get shoppers into trouble at the checkout line.
So, if you are lucky enough to have a natural grocery store in your area it is worth checking out. Most stores offer customer service to help you navigate the store and find exactly what it is you need and also offer nutrition and meal planning advice to help you get on the right track. If you still don't think you are ready or motivated to start eating natural foods I suggest watching one of the many great food expose documentaries. Food, Inc. is the most popular, but Fast Food Nation is an eye opener and though I have not seen it yet I have heard Our Daily Bread is also a stomach turner powerful enough to make the biggest junk food junkie read a label. Trust me, you will never look at food the same way again. Happy shopping!