oh kale yes! 8 ways with kale

I didn’t realize how much of a kale-aholic I was until I started writing this post and looking though all the recipes that have kale listed as an ingredient. I know, some of you are probably like WTH is kale? I boast of kale’s goodness almost daily. Aside from it being a down right fun food to eat… it’s a superfood in my book and here’s why.

Check out these stats:

• More vitamin C than an orange! 134% of your daily value in 1 cup! (yes that deserves lots of exclamation points!)
• Eye-mazing Kale. With a whopping 206% vitamin A in one cup along with lutein and zeaxanthin, kale contains nutrients needed for vision.
• Only 33 calories per cup raw kale!
• Kale boasts of 684% vitamin K, which is a powerful antioxidant that plays a role in maintaining healthy blood clotting, bone health, and more.

Top 8 ways to use kale:

1. Smoothies. My answer for ways to eat almost anything, ask my athletes I’m just like toss it into a smoothie! No but for real, this really might be my favorite way to eat kale. I love the BRIGHT green color it gives to a smoothie, and I swear it doesn’t make it taste weird. If you haven’t tried a green smoothie, give kale a whirl in these recipes.

• Green Energy Bowl by Love & Zest
• Green Monster Juice by Love & Zest
• Stripped Green Juice by Nutrition Stripped

2. Burgers. Top burgers with kale slaw, layer it like lettuce, or slice it up thin and add it to a juicy burger like I did in these Cranberry & Kale Turkey Burgers. I’m in.

• Cranberry & Kale Turkey Burgers by Love & Zest
• Turkey Burgers with Creamy Kale Slaw by Marin Mama Cooks (AKA the queen of kale!)

3. Soup. Because kale keeps some texture when heated it provides a good body to soup that is really satisfying.

• Drunken Potato & Kale Soup by Love & Zest
• Spicy Sausage & Lentil Kale Soup by The Lean Green Bean
• Cheesy Broccoli & Greens Soup by Teaspoon of Spice
• Tofu, Kale & Shiitake Mushroom Rame Noodle Soup by The Little Kitchen

4. Pasta. Lasagna is one of my top uses for kale, and many of my blogger friends can relate. Check out some of these fun recipes to up your kale intake.

• Roasted Eggplant Lasagna by Love & Zest
• Veggie Pasta by Love & Zest
• Pumpkin & Kale Lasagna Roll-Ups by MJ & The Hungryman
• Vegan Butternut Squash & Garlicky Kale Lasagna by fANNEtasticfood

5. Salad. Of course, salad is a common way to eat your greens but you can really jazz kale up with some of these recipes. Whether you choose grains or strictly greens, you can’t go wrong with any of these recipes.

• Butternut Squash, Beet, & Quinoa Salad by Love & Zest
• Broccoli & Kale Salad by Love & Zest
• Garlicky Kale by Love & Zest
• Lacinato Kale Salad + Video Tutorial by Marin Mama Cooks
• Balsamic Kale with Cranberries by Healthy Seasonal Recipes
• Strawberry Kale Salad by Gimme Some Oven
• Tropical Kale Salad by Life Made Sweeter

6. Dips & Dressings. Need a use for some leftover kale? Or want a subtle way to sneak in some kale? Blend it into a pesto sauce or add it to greek yogurt for a zesty dip!

• Kale Pesto by Love & Zest
• Roasted Garlic Kale Hummus by Oh My Veggies
• Super Kale, Hemp & Flaxseed Oil Pesto by Cookie & Katie
• Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip by Shared Appetite
• Cauliflower & Kale Pesto by Cook the Story

7. Chips. I’ve made kale chips a few times but haven’t ever posted a recipe on the blog! WOW. shocking for this foodie. Maybe because you can find so many great recipes online already! Kale chips are all the rage. Gosh but after searching for different ideas for kale chips, I’m like dying to make some!!

• Coconut Kale Chips by Running to the Kitchen
• All Dressed Kale Chips by Oh She Glows

8. Pizza. Boost the nutritional value of pizza by tossing on some kale. Make a salad topper or bake it in the oven with the rest of the toppings. Both are delicious.

• Kale Pizza Topper by Love & Zest
• Crispy Kale Pizza by A Beautiful Mess

What’s your favorite way to eat kale?

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