marathon

Cait's Plate: Kale Salad

Caitlin Grams of Caitlin Lives Well, brings us delicious recipes inspired by her New Year’s Resolution “to make one new recipe a week”.  This week, Caitlin takes on Kale! We highly recommend kale for a great, nutrious recovery food. It will help your immune system rebound after a long run, half-marathon or marathon!

Kick-A** Kale Salad

  

If you take one lesson from Cait's Plates - please don't be afraid of kale. Kale used to really intimidate me. It was so dark and leafy and much more bitter than regular lettuce or spinach. I didn't think anything could make it taste better. This all changed the day I combined kale and goddess dressing. A match made in heaven I tell you.

There is a secret I've discovered to kale - it needs a little something to soften the texture and take away from the bitterness. Goddess dressing works perfectly, as does olive oil. As soon as I started to use kale in my salads it became hard for me to use any other kind of lettuce - the hearty texture of the kale is addicting. 

Here is one of my favorite kale salad recipes. Kale itself has so many nutritional benefits - it is high in fiber and anti-oxidants, packed with vitamins and minerals, detoxifying, lowers your risk of multiple cancers - what's not to love? Avocado and nuts add healthy fats. beans and tuna/chicken/turkey add protein - this salad packs nutrition like no one's business and will keep you full for hours after a tough workout.

Kick*** Kale Salad:
serves 1 hungry runner 

Ingredients:
2 cups kale, washed and roughly chopped
1/4 cup garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 avocado, chopped
1 handful alfalfa sprouts
1 carrot, chopped
1 persian cucumber, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
Optional: 1/2 apple, chopped, 4 oz tuna or grilled chicken or sliced turkey
2 tablespoons dressing of your choice - often I will make my own:

Dressing:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp mustard
1/2 lemon, juiced
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Toss with dressing and dig in!