Super Kale

 

Kale is not like other vegetables. Not only does it carry fiber and antioxidants, but also really good-for-you compounds known as glucosinolates.  When these glucosinolates brake down in the body, studies show that they may reduce the risk of certain cancers - lung, breast, prostate, and pancreatic.  Thus, Kale is known as a Super Food, along with broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, and brussels sprouts.  All of these Super Foods can be grown in Spring and Fall gardens.

I planted Kale in my fall garden last August, and since it is resilient to frost, in mid January it is still standing alone in the garden.  I took the picture above on January 29th and the leaves are still so very green.  If you live in North Carolina, or SC and GA, your planting times for Kale and its other Super Foods family will begin at the end of February.  

Cooking Kale: Although I will admit to its powers, I am not a fan of cooked Kale.  However, I have found a way to crisp it up with a little olive oil to cook a "Kale Chip."  Even my husband can't get enough of these.  For the past two Sundays, these Kale Chips have been a staple while watching the football games.  I will probably make a batch to take to our Super Bowl party next weekend and share the cancer fighting love.

Kale Chips:

1 bunch of fresh kale rinsed and dried

olive oil

sea salt

pepper (I actually used Old Bay instead of pepper because I like to taste of a Home Fry.)

1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Tear Kale leaves off of the thick middle vein.
3. Toss lightly in olive oil.
4. Arrange on a cookie sheet so that leaves are barely overlapping. (I found that if they overlap too much the leaves on the bottom get soggy.)
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6. Roast in middle of oven for 25-30 minuets.
7. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to absorb any extra oil.
8. Enjoy.  Very Easy!!

Nesting

The problem: We live in a three bedroom house, but that third bedroom is a pine paneled office.  Very Dark! For a while I wanted to let Camilla and the new baby share a room because moving the office would be daunting and dark. 
But then, through the power of Pintrest, I found a computer armoire from Walmart that would store most of the office in the living room and open the dark bedroom up to possibilities. 


Then the problem became what to do with the pine paneling.  My favorite designer from HGTV is Sarah Richardson.  In one of her episodes, she remodeled her lake house, which was all pine paneling.  One of the bedrooms was in green and blue where she only painted two walls.

Inspiration room.......

So here is what I did - painted two walls, made curtains, and am now in the process of finding the artwork (or making the art work) for the walls.

Before...

Before...

After paint and curtains

After painting only two walls....and I think I like it.

An update from Winter Hibernation

What a fall and winter it has been!  I am still teaching three nights a week at the YMCA while also working full time, Steve is still in class two nights a week, I am still teaching the classes on Sundays at Williams-Sonoma, Camilla is in full force, oh  - and did I mention I am exhausted with my second pregnancy? 

The plan from last summer was to master The Suburban Challenge so that despite a crazy and hectic fall/winter schedule, our family would still be eating homemade/homegrown/healthy meals each night for dinner.  Mission accomplished!  I did this through freezing and canning over the summer prepared entrees that only needed browning of meat, cooking of pasta, or mixing into a 9x13 casserole dish. 

Here is a look at some of my winter staples from the garden last summer:

Okra and Tomatoes: I cook shrimp or sausage, add veggies and serve over rice

Provencal Chicken: I brown chicken breast, add veggies, and serve over couscous

Gumbo Starter: I make a roux, add veggies and meat and serve over rice

Chicken Pot Pit Starter: I add cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and top with biscuits

White Chili Starter: Brown chicken and add soup starter.

(All of these recipes can be found on this blog.)

Dinner on the weeknights has become so much easier that I enjoy doing "special stuff" on the weekends - homemade pizzas, stews, roasts, etc....

This new organization has also allowed me to spend time sewing more after Camilla goes to bed. 

We have a very SPECIAL wedding to attend in April and we are ready with this pillowcase dress and blouse.



This was our "Christmas Card" dress.

And I have been appliqueing anything I can get my hands on to get ready for our new little man arriving in April.

What's Next:
Believe it or not - it is time to start thinking about the garden again.  If you live in Zone 4 "The Southeast: NC, SC, GA" per the Farmer's Almanac, it will be time to start plowing and preparing the ground during the third week of February. Steve has scheduled a man to come plow ours during that week. Then, by the first week of March the spring gardens need to go in: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Lettuces, Peas, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cabbage, etc... 
And the fun will begin all over again!!  I just hope I can get the spring garden in and the rows prepared for the summer garden before the little man arrives.