Massages aren't just for people...

... they're for veggies too! You may or may not have come across references to massaged kale, but there is a totally legitimate reason to do so! I know a lot of people are often put off by the idea of eating raw kale, and I'm not super into using it in green smoothies, but massaging it gives it the yummiest texture ever. In fact, I could probably eat massaged kale every day it's that good. My preferences aside, the whole point of massaging your kale is that because it's a tougher cruciferous green, it's more difficult to digest than something like lettuce so working salt, an acid (like lemon or ACV), and a little healthy oil into it can help prematurely break it down, making its nutritional benefits more absorbable by your body.

There are tons of reasons to eat kale. It's high in beta carotene (more so than carrots!), vitamin K, C, and A, lutein, and is pretty high in calcium, manganese, iron, fiber, a bunch of B vitamins, and vitamin E. Also if you care, it's low in calories.

So how do you massage kale anyway? Gotta say, I've always been amused by the concept. Massaging kale always reminded me of kobe beef, you know the kind that's made from cows that apparently get massaged during their life so their meat gets a better texture... but all you have to do is:


1. Stem the kale leaves into a big mixing bowl (I usually just go with one head of kale or two, it'll diminish in size by a lot)
2. Rip them into edible pieces and sprinkle about a teaspoon of sea salt. 
3. Massaged the kale like you would a person... or like you would knead bread. After a couple minutes, it'll break down and get darker, starting to look "cooked" and perhaps leak water (depending on how much salt you are using). 
4. Once that's happened, add the juice of half a lemon (or the whole thing) and keep massaging. They leaves will be shiny and will taste "softer" if that makes any sense. 
5. Top it with whatever veggies you like, or make it deliciously creamy by mashing in some avocado, nutritional yeast, and onion powder. Sesame seeds work great too.

Finally, Jessica is having a CSN giveaway that ends tomorrow so join while you can!

With that, massage away!