Kale is KOOL
October 6, 2021
Whoa, did you know Kale has been around for at least 2,000 years! It was grown in ancient Rome and Greece and was first mentioned in America during the 17th century.
Kale is lesson number two this year, and the third graders are loving it!
Here are some KOOL Kale facts being delivered to our students and their families in a take home flyer to reinforce the learning at school.
Kale is a leaf of the vegetable plant. These leaves use sunlight, water, and air to make food through the process of photosynthesis. There are many different types of kale, but the most common is curly kale.
Nutrition Fact
Eating one cup of kale provides over 206 percent of your daily Vitamin A needs, 134 percent of your daily vitamin C needs, and 684 percent of your daily needs of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps your blood clot on the surface of your cut to stop it from bleeding.
Shopping Tip
When choosing kale, it is important to look at its leaves and stems. Fresh kale will have leaves and stems that are firm and not wilted or limp. Also, ensure that the leaves are dark or light green, depending on their type. The leaves should not be yellow or brown which is a sign of age or improper storage.
Recipe
Kale chips are a kid approved way to get nutrient packed greens into your child’s diet!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Tear your kale leaf into multiple pieces taking it off of its spine.
- Rinse the kale in a bowl of water, then dry it on a paper towel.
- In a large bowl, evenly coat 2 cups of kale with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt-free seasoning.
- Lay and spread the kale out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
Besides kale chips, it can be tricky to get a child to try kale. Here are three tricks, umm… tips to incorporate Kale into their diet. Might need to even do this for some adults we know 😉.
- Green smoothies – blend leafy greens with the right ingredients like banana, mango, or strawberries
- Soup or Salad – chop, chop, chop or blend, blend, blend… mix small amounts of raw leaves into a favorite soup or salad recipe
- Meat – throw the kale for a spin in the food processor and add it to meatballs or meatloaf
Cheers to happy healthy green veggie eating!
Follow Us
