Kale Kraze

Kale is enjoying quick and wide-spread acceptance on the local market. It features in the diet regimens of the health conscious and fitness enthusiasts. But where was this kale before all this attention? Somewhere in a dark corner of the discerning backyard gardeners yard space. But now with the introduction to the commercial market, the consumer response has been described as hungry chickens rushing to feed on dried, chopped coconut.

Why you should have kale

To whom do we credit the kale movement? The individual motivation to healthy lifestyles must be acknowledged in the first instance. Increased access to information has fostered greater personal responsibility in the prevention and management of health conditions such as obesity and nutrient deficiencies. Perhaps, we are juicing kale for all its worth for its anti-oxidant properties as increasing mortality from Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases creeps closer to home.  The work of the local Ministry of Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries and Rural Development in promoting said produce has also increased market share. I was witness to a long line of persons eager to sample juiced kale at the World Food Day 2013 activities.

Kale presented for sale at the Rodney Bay Farmers' Market

Interestingly, "kale" is slang for "money" as seen in the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary. This urban terminology is apt. While the seedling price for other green,leafy vegetables for example lettuce is $0.40, kale seedlings cost $0.80. Market prices are comparatively the same with parcels of almost the same size sold for the same price. So how is this new green gold adding to the pockets of farmers? The volumes of kale sold far exceed that of lettuce. This leafy veggie is worth your consideration whether you are living the motto "health is wealth", or simply for wealth,.

Cool as a Cucumber Part 2- How I Prepare a Cucumber Salad

 Ingredients:

2 cucumbers

2 cloves of garlic/ 1/4 onion (grated)

1 sprig of chives

1 sprig of parsely

salt to taste

1 tablespoon coconut oil

Method: The top of the cucumber is sliced off and the two pieces are rubbed together until cucumber water becomes a white froth (My grandmother used to do this). The cucumber is then sliced in a rotating method to produce spirals (My grandmother's friend taught me to do this). The chopped seasonings are added in with the salt and coconut oil. Let sit for a few minutes. The salt would draw the water out of the cucumbers. The watery goodness can be slurped after the cucumbers are all gone.

Rules of making Cucumber Salad:

1. Keep clean: Cucumbers are washed thoroughly to remove dirt and pesticides.
2. Keep healthy: Cucumbers are sliced with the skins on to benefit from essential phytonutrients.
3. Have fun: Cucumbers sliced in spirals are much more interesting than cucumber slices. Consider this a cucumber spaghetti!