Kale is thought to be one of the first cultivated brassicas. Like broccoli, cauliflower and collards, Kale is a descendent of the wild cabbage Colewort, a plant thought to have its origins in Asia Minor. Celtic wanderers were said to have brought it to Europe around 600 B.C. Today this wild ancestor, Colewart, still grows along the coast of Western Europe.
There are several varieties of Kale, each with a different taste, texture and appearance.
Curly Kale: has crimped, curly leaves and is the most commonly available Kale. It has a deep green color and a strong pungent flavor with peppery undertones.
Purple or Silver Kale: this variety is used mostly as an ornament and is grown almost exclusively for display in gardens or as a salad display. Purple and silver kale has a more tender texture and mellower flavor.
Dinosaur Kale: is of the variety known as Lacinato. It has dark blue-green leaves is slightly sweet with a more delicate taste.
No matter which one you use for eating, they all are known for their rich nutrient content.
Kales benefits include:
- Cardiovascular health
- Contain organosulfur phytonutrients that help prevent cancer
- Optimizes our cells ability to detoxify
- Optimizes our bodies cleansing ability
- Lowers our risk of developing cataracts
- Promotes lung health
- Protects and supports the immune system
- Protects against rheumatoid arthritis
- It provides 27% of our daily need for manganese, (which helps produce energy from protein and carbohydrates, is involved in the synthesis of EFA’s for a healthy nervous system and is critical in helping the antioxidant enzyme - superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is found exclusively inside the body’s mitochondria (the energy factories inside our cells) which provides protection from the free radicals produced during energy production.
- Slows the loss of mental function
- Is loaded with calcium, Vit. E, Vit. C,Vit. A, Vit. K, folate, B vitamins, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium, fiber, manganese, quercetin and many other s.
- Has an amazing amino acid score of 92 out of 100.
- Is a strong anti-inflammatory. Has a IF rating of 257.
- Has a glycemic load of 3.
- Is nutrient-dense indicating that it is more filling or satisfying per calories therefore great for weigh loss.
Each whole raw/vegan food has so many benefits for our bodies. I look forward to sharing more with you on the history, benefits and nutrition profiles of these foods in the coming weeks and months.
P.S. You’ll find much more extended information on the foods from the plant kingdom in the upcoming book ‘Healthy Kids In A Toxic World.’ Not to worry ladies I’ll keep you all posted.
Until next time get RAWKING with some Kale!
Monique
It’ been while since I posted. Sorry about that ladies. It’s a long story. So I’ll just say in short, “Life happens”.
This desire has always stayed with me. My husband and I have always had this same love, and we’ve instilled it in our children while they were growing up. I am so glad that we did. This summer we decided to go camping again as we hadn’t taken a vacation in years and we all need it. Our closest friends Jim and Cindy brought their four children as well, plus one extra, and we all went camping in Kejimkujik national park. You can check it out on line. If you’re ever in Nova Scotia it is one of the most beautiful places to camp. You can even take canoes, packed with your supplies and go on one of the islands. It’s more like being in the wilderness, just watch out for Bears. So bring your Bear guide book with you. I’ve included some pictures of our camping trip. I hope you enjoy them.
We hadn’t gone camping since my husband and I had gone raw. So on this trip I decided that in order to stay raw, I would need to prepare all the raw food that we needed before hand. For the children I would bring some of their vegan foods, since they are not 100% raw. So first thing I had to do was plan all the meals we would be having so that things would go smoothly and we’d have everything we needed. Remember there is no electricity. So I made enough almond-milk to last us and place the almond-milk in glass containers with lids in our large cooler. You can freeze them before going on a trip, this way they thaw slowly and will last longer. The cooler was packed full with nuts, fruit and veggies that needed to be kept cold, hemp seeds, flax, chia seeds, etc. I spent two days before the trip filling my dehydrator with foods like: burgers, crackers, bread, lathers, buckwheat crispies: chocolate and vanilla flavor, things that would keep well and not go bad. I also packed a large tote with all the kitchen supplies I would need: raw agave nectar, Vega smoothie pouches, spices, real vanilla extract, vanilla beans, dried: cranberries, blueberries, goji berries and cherries, herbs, maple syrup for the children, grains and other seeds for sprouting, more fruits and root vegetables.
Then they took their bikes and hit the trails. Can you imagine 9 kids in a straight line riding down these wooded trail. Kaylee was the youngest , but she had 8 big boys to take care of her and give her attention. And me, I sat back put up my feet and soaked everything in that day. Can you believe I even got to read a whole book while camping? I haven’ done that in years. The meals were so easy and quick to prepare since I had done most of the work ahead of time. So this left time for all of us to go hiking, swim at the falls, you name it, we did it. But most of all it was the feeling - no stress. I was in my realm again, were I felt so “at home” for the first time in a very long time. Nothing we did was rushed, just the calm sounds of rushing water, rain dancing in the trees, the gentle sound of the wind, the birds singing. I loved this world I was in, and I wanted so much to stay. My children felt the same way. They were having to much fun!
High ladies,
Ever hear the saying, ‘Be All You Can Be’? 
The wonderful bounty of sea plants has been on my mind lately. Probably because I’ve been busy trying to find new ways to hide it in our food. 
The brain is an amazing organ-consisting of more then twenty-five billion cells that are the most highly developed of anything known. Linus Pauling. Two-time Nobel Prize winner and world-renowned scientist, noted that nutrient concentrations may not always be high enough to supply all the organs and tissues, especially the brain. This is due to absorption, and of course diet.
It is absolutely imperative that you get the right kind of glucose into the bloodstream. In order for the brain to function properly it requires four ounces of (the right) glucose a day. The right kind, if you haven’t guessed it already, is fresh fruit! No wonder children as well as adults naturally gravitate towards fruit. Our brains are instinctively telling us what we need. So next time you get an urge to have something sweet, grab some fruit, because that is what your brain really wants. 
Here are some tips to help improve your brain function:
Another week has gone by. Amazing how fast it goes when you’re busy. With all the things that we put our minds through, it’s no wonder that some things fall through the cracks. On that note, I’d like to talk about the importance of Zinc in order for your brain (and body) to function properly.
pumpkin seeds - 10.30 mg, peanut butter - 7.17 mg, dried figs 1 mg. Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and sprouts, variety of sprouts, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, mushrooms, peas, spinach, leafy greens, lentils and lentil sprouts, quinoa, amaranth, spelt, etc. 
Hi Everyone,
Banana Mint Shake - (Magnesium Power Shake)
It’s been awhile since my last post, but it couldn’t be helped, as I was in an accident and home healing. I am almost myself again due to the incredible ability of our bodies to heal, when given what it needs to do so. 
Here are some important facts on why we need Calcium and what the true best sources are:
Calcium Power Smoothie
