Open Letter to Kale

 
 
 Dear Kale,

I know it has been too long. We haven't seen each other since I was working back in May. I miss sauteing you with garlic, coconut oil, and a splash of rice vinegar than piling you on a bowl of brown rice. Remember last winter? All the soups we made together? I'm hoping we can create even more delicious meals together this winter, that is if I can afford you.
During the summer I tried planting seeds but alas none grew this year. The harsh weather conditions and above normal temps are partly to blame. But I plan on trying to plant more seeds this weekend to try for a fall harvest!
I hope that we are reunited soon but right now I'm focusing on lesser vegetables that are in season and affordable at the farmer's market. Though while walking up and down the market my eyes are always searching for you, always!

Wah Wah Wah

Instead of 15 minutes it took me almost an hour to get home today after training. Stuck in traffic I began to fret about chores that needed to be done, bills yet to be paid this month, hospital visitations, when the last time I actually cleaned my car, etc.

Wah Wah Wah

Stressing and worrying over things at that moment that I had no power or control over was ridiculous! I turned up my radio a bit and just focused my thoughts on the music and the snails passing out my car in the midst of a traffic jam. Being overwhelmed with starting a new job this month, and another part time one this week, has caused my routines to be turned upside down. Whether stuck in traffic or at home I plan on taking a moment not to reflect but to deflect the anxieties and stress that the day may have created. Tea is one of my greatest weapons against daily stress so I plan on bring a tumbler of some white tea with me tomorrow morning to job training.

Delicious Almost Garbage

I hit the clearance bins at stores long before I was unemployed but I used to shy away from the reduced produce. Til my beloved vegetable was 54cents for a huge bunch I just had to rescue it from certain doom aka garbage bin.
I brought the still delicious kale home and cut off some tips that were beginning to turn yellow. The leaves themselves were still hearty so I wasn't worried about the taste (was fine.) I threw some jasmine rice that I had on hand in my rice cooker and began to think of how to prep the kale for lunch.
Staring in my fridge I noticed I had a little bit of marinated artichokes left, that magically disappeared when I opened the jar, and then it hit me in the face: Use the left over marinate for the kale!
I threw the kale and marinate in a pan and sauteed it and had it over a nice bowl of rice that I sprinkled with rice vinegar *my new crack.
It is obvious that with produce that's marked down its best to use it that day for meals but I didn't give much thought to my own "reduced" section in my fridge. Items that were ready to be tossed ,thinking they served their purpose, are now going to be given a second look to see if I can give them one last meal idea before its too late ( and by late I mean expiration dates.)
I make it a habit to go through my fridge once a week, every garbage night on my street, and toss any items that spoiled or expired. I think this week I will stop to see what twists I can use to break the monotony of some of my go-to dishes.

Fake? Outs

Hungry Girl Fake Outs

One of the reasons I keep my digital cable, other than a parental unit that shudders at the though of life without it, is for the Cooking Channel. Unlike the Food Network there are several shows that don't involve sticks of butter being deep fried in pork fat and served on a platter.
I've heard of, and devoured, kale chips before as a substitute for potato chips so it was refreshing to see them featured on an episode of Hungry Girl for a "fake" out. Some of her recipe swaps include using artificial ingredients which I am trying to avoid using. 

How to make kale chips:

Spray or toss kale in olive oil
Spread on a cookie sheet
Bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes

Bam! That's it. I like to sprinkle a touch of salt on mine before popping them in the oven. I know that was an exhausting list of ingredients and steps but I think its worth trying at least once.