The Green Fairy Returns

I find that kale salad is peace on the earth that is my body. I imagine my blood humming with pleasure whenever I eat kale salad.  I eat it so often that I had to change it up for variety.  One of my favorite variations on the theme - what shall I call it - Cilantro Ginger Kale Salad.

I have taken to making large salads.  They don’t last as long as you would think, because everyone eats them up so quickly.

Use one or 2 bunches of kale and 1 bunch of cilantro

Dressing:
1/2 inch square to 1 inch square of young ginger, chopped very fine
1 clove of garlic, chopped very fine or crushed through a garlic press
Juice of 1/2 lemon or 1 lime
1/4 c olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cayenne

It is important to remember that the proportions in the dressing should be adjusted to taste and to the size of the salad. If you are using a LOT of greens, you may need to add a little more olive oil and lemon. This salad is no fun if it is dry. Kale leaves need to be dressed and pressed into submission for eating.   When it is done right, it is a very satisfying salad, so don’t get caught up in trying to skimp on the olive oil.

Pour the dressing over the chopped greens and mix it in by squeezing. The squeezing softens the kale and distributes the dressing well.

Add tomatoes after mixing OR if your dressing is too lemony, add some chopped tomatoes before you mix by squeezing. This neutralizes the lemon taste somewhat and balances it out.

Remember: Green is gorgeous!

The importance of timing your water consumption

We all know it is important to drink plenty of water. 8 glasses a day is the popular specification. However did you know that there is a time to drink and a time not to drink?

Most people only remember to drink water when they sit down to a meal. The problem is that this is exactly when you should not over consume your water!

Water should be drunk up to 20 minutes before a meal (iced water - at least 30 minutes; avoid when possible) so that it is absorbed before you start eating, because too much water in the stomach inhibits digestion!

If you think about it it makes a lot of sense: Your stomach senses what is being eaten and puts forth the proper digestive juices for that food.

If you have a lot of water in your stomach, it will inhibit its ability to sense its contents and send out the right stuff to digest it. The digestive fluids get diluted and can’t do their job.

You CAN sip some water (not iced) during meals. As you become more body aware, you will notice what is enough and what is too much.Try not to do more than sip water for up to two hours after meals. Become aware also of your schedule. After breakfast has digested, make sure you get in a few glasses before lunch, etc.

More on this subject when I cover “Correct Food Combining“