October 7th is National Kale Day…so happy Kale Day to all you fabulous kale lovers out there!!

I personally love kale, and there are so many different varieties to choose from- so no matter who you are (for the most part), you might be able to find a type of kale you like!

Here’s the different types of kale:

Curly, dinosaur (laminate) and purple: All contain different (and awesome) nutrients, so make sure you vary the type of kale you’re eating!

Kale can be bitter for some, but when prepared properly can be made more palatable through cooking and massaging (yes, massaging!). While it’s tasty and fun to cook with, there’s a lot more to kale than just it’s taste- in fact, it’s packed with nutrients that you shouldn’t miss!

6 reasons kale rocks:

1. Fiber-packed: Fiber is certainly a nutrient we could all use a little more of. Fiber is key for heart health, digestive health, satiety and weight loss amongst other things. One cup of chopped kale contains about 2 grams of fiber.
2. Cancer-preventive: Kale is a cruciferous vegetable that contains nutrients that are cancer-preventive like beta-carotene and glucosinolates. Glucosinolates found in cruciferous vegetables like kale are turned into another compound when we eat them called isothiocyanates that may be cancer preventive when it comes to in particular may hold the torch for cancer-prevention and may protect our cells from damage.
3. Detoxifying: Because kale is a cruciferous vegetable that contains sulfur-containing nutrients, it can help the liver to produce more detoxifying enzymes that can help to promote natural detoxification.
4. Good for eyesight: Kale, along with other green leafy vegetables is a source of nutrients like vitamins A and C that are known to be good for promoting healthy eyesight. For example, vitamin C may help prevent development of cataracts where vitamin A helps to protect the surface of the eye amongst other things.
5. Energizing: Kale is also energizing because it’s a source of plant-based iron, a nutrient that carries oxygen to our tissues and cells. Kale also contains folate, a key B-vitamin that is also important for red blood cell production and is part of a family of b vitamins that act to make energy from the food we eat.
6. Bone-healthy: Kale is also healthy for your bones too. Kale and other dark-green leafy vegetables contain calcium, magnesium and phosphorus- all minerals that are key for building and maintaining strong bones. 1 cup of chopped kale contains about 100 mg of calcium (wow!!).

Try these delicious kale recipes:

Easy Kale Chips

These kale chips were created especially for National Kale Day! Don’t miss them, they’re easy to make and super delicious. Click above for the recipe!

Chopped Kale Salad

This chopped kale salad is a sure crowd-pleaser and it’s easy to make as well. Click above for the recipe!

Sweet Watermelon and Carrot Juice (and Kale!)

This juice is a great one because it’s sweet and delicious, so would be perfect for a beginner juicer! Try it as a replacement for a meal or snack. Click above for the recipe!

Happy National Kale Day!