HealthTip: Kale Chips Anyone?

Do you find yourself having cravings for the satisfying crunch of chips or salty crackers. A healthier way to give into your craving may be to try making kale chips!
Kale is a leafy, green (or purple) vegetable from the brassica family. This family also contains vegetables such as cabbage and brussel sprouts, so if you find that these vegetables commonly cause bloating, kale chips may not be your best option. Kale is a commonly referred to as a "super-food" because it is a high source of potassium, fiber, calcium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and beta-carotene.
To bake kale chips, you'll need kale, olive oil, salt, and garlic powder (optional). You can season the kale any way you like, so be creative!

• Wash kale
• Remove the leafy part of the kale from its stem
• Tear kale leaves into bite size pieces and place in a bowl with the olive oil (start with 1-2tbsp), salt, and garlic powder
• Toss the kale to ensure its thoroughly coated with the oil and seasonings (this will ensure that it becomes crispy when baked)
• Place torn leaves separately on a baking sheet and bake at ~300F for 10-15 minutes or until kale becomes crispy 

It may take you a few tries to get the exact crispiness you want, so don't give up if your first batch isn't perfect! After reading this post maybe you'll consider this vitamin and mineral packed snack option the next time you're tempted to buy that bag of high-fat, nutrient-lacking chips?

Information Sources:
http://www.healthcastle.com/video-week-making-kale-chips
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/cgi-bin/list_nut_edit.pl
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/reference/table/ref_vitam_tbl-eng.php