Kale juice

In light of a's recent diagnosis, I have been perfecting a kale juice recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP blog.  Kale is is one of the most incredibly healthy foods you can put in your system - it's full of calcium, powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammitants, beta carotene, vitamins, and has anti-cancer properties.  (Specifically, the science geek in me appreciates its role as an agent that boosts DNA repair and blocks the growth of cancer cells.  Take that, Big C!)  I digress. 

~ photo via skrewtips ~

In addition to being an anti-cancer wonder food, now that the winter switch appears to have been turned off (finally!!), kale is also the key ingredient in this raw "diet" drink, necessary (at least for a post-winter chub like me) in preparation for warmer weather and the inevitable baring of skin.

When juiced with a little bit of lemon (good for genitourinary health, weight loss) and agave nectar (an anti-microbial, diet-friendly sweetener), kale kind of tastes like a fresh, grassy lemonade.  And that vivid green color?! Get out of here.

~ photo by b ~

My adapted recipe is as follows:

• Kale, 4-5 raw leaves with stems removed and leaves washed
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp agave nectar
• ~ 1/2 c water (may need to add more during blending to thin out)
• Splash of orange juice (optional)

Combine everything in a blender and blitz until completely pureed.  (It takes a bit of time and a few shoves to get things going.)  Taste the juice and add a bit more lemon or agave if you think it needs it.  Strain the juice through a fine sieve into 2 glasses with ice, pushing down on the solids with a kitchen spoon (or with your fingers, let's be real), being sure to extract all the delicious juice.  Drink up - you'll be pleasantly surprised!


Now as for those "natural" non-cancer-causing deodorants...

Still trying to find one that actually works (read: one that I can wear to class/work that doesn't result in me smelling musty by noon)... Sorry "Tom's", the truth stinks! (pun intended).