What Is A Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet is a diet where the foods are consumed in their raw state. Foods are considered to be raw if they have not been exposed to high temperatures above 46 degrees Celsius (or 115 degrees Fahrenheit). This ensures that all enzymes and nutrients are left unchanged and intact so that the body is able to absorb them faster.

In addition, raw foods contain many antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and eliminate toxins. According to studies, most age related diseases and common ailments are the result of too many toxins in the body. Thus the raw food diet can help to slow down the aging process by preventing diseases.

Variations of the Raw Food Diet

There are several different variations of the raw food diet and they include the Raw Vegan Diet, the Raw Vegetarian Diet and the Raw Omnivorous Diet. All three focus on raw foods, but each diet has slightly different restrictions.

Raw Vegan Diet

The raw vegan diet is the strictest of the variations, but it is also the healthiest and the most popular.

The diet mainly consists of raw fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, sprouts, nuts and seeds, as well as many superfoods such as raw cacao, goji berries, protein powders and sea vegetables. The superfoods usually are not available in most grocery stores, but can be purchased in most health food stores or online.

The raw foods are often eaten as they are, or mixed together in salads, smoothies, or are juiced in a juicer. Many western recipes can be mimicked with raw foods, such as ice creams, raw fruit pies, pizzas and many others. Bread, crackers and cookies can be mimicked by using a dehydrator, which is an oven-like appliance that dehydrates the foods at low temperatures over a period of 4 or more hours.

Raw Vegetarian Diet

The raw vegetarian diet is not quite as strict as the vegan, as it allows for the consumption of dairy, eggs and honey. However, there are some vegetarians that only consume eggs, while others will only consume dairy, and still others refuse to eat dairy and eggs, but will use honey as a natural sweetener.

Raw Omnivorous Diet

This diet is the most relaxed diet, as it allows for all animal products provided that they do not contain harmful food additives such as colorants and/or preservatives.

All animal products, whether consumed by the raw vegetarians or raw omnivores are usually obtained from free range and grass-fed animals in order to reduce the risks of ingesting harmful bacteria. In addition, foods from grass-fed animals also contain more nutrients.

Does the Raw Food Diet Eliminate All Cooked Foods?

Many who hear about the raw food diet think that they can no longer enjoy their favorite cooked meals. But this is not so. Dieters can consider themselves to be a raw foodist if they consume at least 75% of their foods in the raw state. This allows for a partially cooked meal every night.

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Balancing Nutrition, Calories And Activity

Losing weight safely and keeping it off is more than just following someone's diet plan and hoping for the best. The truth is that to safely lose weight, you need to understand the science of weight loss and basic nutrition. With this information you can create a lifestyle plan that fits your needs and personality and produces the results you desire.

For your body to function well daily, it must have energy. Similar to gasoline to a car, energy is the fuel that keeps our bodies going. Calories are the only source of fuel used by the body. Calories are measured in units of heat that the body produces from food and beverages. Weight management depends on the balance between calories in and calories out. To lose weight, you must expend more calories daily than you take in. One pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories. If you want to lose 10 pounds, for example, you must burn or reduce 35000 more calories than you take in.

Composition of Food

Macronutrients are items that are needed by the body in large amounts. Besides providing specific support functions for the body, macronutrients also provide energy. There are three macronutrients that make up the calories or energy we consume. The three macronutrients include proteins, fats and carbohydrates. While many believe eating extra fats contribute to overweight and obesity, the facts are that eating any of the macronutrients in excess of your daily calorie needs will all be stored as fat.

Proteins

Proteins include meat, eggs, poultry, such as chicken and turkey, fish and vegetable sources such as beans, peas, nuts and seeds. In addition to energy, protein provides the body with essential nutrients such as the B vitamins including niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and B6 as well as other important nutrients including vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium. Proteins provide the structure for bones, muscles, skin and blood. Proteins also play an essential role in hormone and enzyme functions. Hormones and enzymes are essential to carry out cellular functions for the body, similar to a key opening a door. One gram of protein supplies 4 grams of calories for the body. A healthy adult needs about 15% to 18% of their daily calories from protein.

Fats

Contrary to popular belief, fats are important for the body to sustain life. Fats provide the most concentrated source of energy at 9 calories per gram, carry fat-soluble vitamins and provide a feeling of satisfaction and fullness. The recommendation for daily dietary fat intake is less than 29% of calories for the healthy adult.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the last of the macronutrients that provide the body with energy. Carbohydrates are the preferred energy source of the body. Contrary to popular belief, a sufficient supply of carbohydrates, as high as 55% of the total calories for a healthy adult are necessary for proper bodily function. Carbohydrates help to regulate the other macronutrients, (fats and proteins). In addition, carbohydrates play an essential role in immunity and fighting infections, healing and the health of bones, joints and tissue growth.

The body strives to maintain a healthy balance at all times. Many fad diets sabotage weight loss because they are unbalanced or require you to eat too much of one of the macronutrients, such as all protein. While you may see some fast weight loss, this is temporary due to water loss.

Permanent weight management relies on eating a healthy balance of the macronutrients within the recommended daily calorie allowance you need to reach and maintain your goal. Increasing your understanding of the balance between nutrition, calories and daily activity will help maximize your weight loss efforts that will remain when you reach the maintenance stage.

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5 Things You Need To Know About Breakfast Cereals

Breakfast cereals can be a quick healthy solution to starting your day off right with a well balanced diet. They can also be a great way to help you regulate your system and lose weight. Leading health experts say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day because most breakfast cereals can be a great source of fiber, vitamins, and other nutritional values that your body craves for on a daily basis. But choosing the right kind of cereal can be confusing and seem as though we buy the cereal based upon the looks of the box or picture of cereal and not by the nutritional values. Many would agree that the cereal aisle can be compared to a gauntlet, similar to the checkout aisle.

The cereal aisle is stacked with product the entire length. It typically contains a mixture of both good and bad choices of cereals and it is difficult to tell them apart because of the many different brands of cereals, variety of colorful boxes with images and phrases that are just begging for your consideration. In addition, many breakfast cereals high in sugar entice you to buy simply because of the promotional giveaways or fun activities on the back of the boxes. But there is a simple solution to finding the best healthy breakfast cereal.

The following tips will guide you on making the best selection the next time you walk down the cereal aisle:

1. Nutrition Facts Label 

This label provides you with all the nutritional values that you need to make the right cereal selection and is typically found on the side of the box in small print. Here are the values that you are looking for: Sugar, Fiber, Vitamins & Minerals, Ingredients and the suggested serving sizes. Plus the label typically has two values: with milk and without milk.

2. Sugar Values 

Look for cereals that contain 8 grams or less of sugar. Most sugar cereals contain over 10 grams of sugar per serving, not to mention that the average serving size is only ¾ cup and the average person eats 2-3 servings in one bowl.

Tip: You can give your cereal a sweat boost by adding fresh fruits and berries.

3. Fiber Values 

Look for cereals that list the ingredients Whole Grains first. You need at least 3 grams per serving.

Tip: The more sugar in a cereal, the less fiber it contains.

4. Vitamins & Minerals 

Healthy cereals contain high levels of vitamins such as Vitamin C,D, added calcium, and folic acid.

Tip: Excellent source for stubborn eaters.

5. Artificial Flavoring 

Avoid these ingredients at all costs. You will notice them more in the colorful cereals and high sugar cereals.

Finally, never shop on an empty stomach. It is a recipe for making poor healthy choices. It can also be related to rapid weight gain and changes in behavior and mood swings because of the average portion sizes of cereals high in sugar.

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Cooking With Quinoa - Complete Nutrition In One Delicious Super Food

Quinoa is fast becoming a staple in the diets of health-conscious people all over the globe. This super-food gets its bona fides by offering a complete package of essential protein, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Not only is quinoa packed with nutrients, it's easy to cook and is delicious. This little seed plumps up nicely in just a few minutes, making it the perfect 'fast food' substitute. Mix quinoa with an endless variety of other nutritious ingredients to make a filling meal that satisfies both your appetite and your desire to eat healthy.

One thing that most of us have in common is the desire to feed our kids, and ourselves, nutritious food. But, when faced with the array of choices, it gets confusing. What's good, what's bad... it's not easy to distinguish the difference sometimes.

Over the last few years, quinoa has exploded in cookbooks, cooking shows, and the internet. This 'super-food' is becoming quite popular in many circles; including vegetarian, vegan, weight loss, gluten-free, and fitness diets.

Quinoa is not a grain, it is a seed, a relative of beets, spinach, and Swiss chard. Because it is not a grass or grain, quinoa is considered the perfect food for those with grain, like wheat, sensitivities. The awareness of gluten-free diets may have likely brought quinoa into the limelight. However, quinoa is proving to fit into many diets for a wide range of reasons. Let's take a look at a few benefits that quinoa offers us all:

Protein: Not all foods considered high in protein contain all the essential amino acids in proper proportions for maximum effectiveness in the body, but quinoa does. Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all essential amino acids in perfect proportions. In fact, quinoa has the same protein quality as milk. For a vegan, or a vegetarian who doesn't drink milk, quinoa is the perfect replacement food. Mix in some black beans in a simple soup or casserole, and you have the ultimate protein-rich super-food.

Minerals: The most concentrated amounts of minerals in quinoa are manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. With just one serving of quinoa, you will have more than half the RDA of manganese alone, neutralizing those damaging free radicals that are constantly attacking our organs. Along with manganese, quinoa contains high concentrates of magnesium and phosphorous which are both essential minerals aiding in bone health, heart and cardiovascular health, as well as nerve and brain health. Quinoa completes the mineral wheel with ample supplies of calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, copper, and selenium, all vital to our health and well-being.

Vitamins: The highest concentrated vitamin in quinoa is folate. Folate is a B vitamin that is essential for healthy red blood cell development as well as healthy tissue and organ development, most notably during a child's early years. Folate is also believed to fight the destructive cell developments of cancer. Other vitamins that can be found in a good supply in quinoa are vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6, all essential in the growth, repair, and functioning of vital organs, blood, and tissue.

Dietary Fiber: You probably hear a lot about dietary fiber in advertisements aimed at curing constipation. But, the fact is, dietary fiber is crucial for all of our body functions. With a whopping 21% RDA in one serving of quinoa, eating a regular diet including this super-food makes sense. Why? Not only does fiber aid the digestive system, it also is known to lower blood cholesterol levels. Studies also show that increasing fiber in your diet will help reduce blood pressure which promotes heart health. A good diet rich in fiber helps control blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of sugars. Along with these benefits, high-fiber diets also may help with weight loss, due to the fact that foods that are high in fiber and low in calories, like quinoa, fill you up without added calories.

It appears that if you had to choose one food to survive on, quinoa may be your best bet. This super-food contains just about everything a body needs - fiber, vitamins, minerals, healthy fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Add to that the fact that quinoa is low in calories, has zero cholesterol, zero sugars, and is low in sodium, and you've got the perfect food to add to your family's healthy diet.

How do you get more quinoa into your diet? You can do much more than substituting quinoa in dishes that call for rice or pasta. Rather, start by remembering that quinoa is a protein. With that in mind, think about quinoa like you do black beans, another vegetarian source of protein. Replace meat meals with quinoa meals on a regular basis to enjoy all the benefits of this super food. Go ahead and clear a spot in your pantry, because once you cook with quinoa, you'll be stocking up.

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Celery Is A Low Calorie Super Food - 10 Healthful Benefits Of Celery

A skinny green stalk of celery boasts a shopping cart full of benefits.

Celery is 95% water but packed in the remaining 5% are a miraculous collection of some of the most vital nutrients. It is all too often considered just a simple garnish in a Bloody Mary, but this fiber-filled wonder finds its place among some of the top candidates for weight loss and lowering high blood pressure.

10 Healthful Benefits of Celery

1. Loaded with fiber (cellulose), it works toward weight loss and fighting bad cholesterol. Adding a single stalk to your daily food intake will give you a tremendous boost toward your weight-loss goals. The plant hormones in this super food tend to calm your central nervous system, facilitating weight-loss efforts.

2. According to Chinese Medicine studies, it is a great source of active plant phthalides, which reduce the stress hormones and allow artery walls to relax-thus lowering high blood pressure

3. Celery is an alkaline food stuff, off-setting the acidic effects of eating too much meat. The human body is alkaline in nature and highly acidic blood is thought to cause considerable damage to many body functions.

4. The leaves of this plant contain a bounty of flavonoid antioxidants that include lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. Unfortunately many grocers trim off the leaves so this benefit is lost. Antioxidants are needed for their cancer-fighting, immune system strengthening- qualities.

5. Some natural healing forms of medical treatments use the seeds of the plant for the treatment of the common cold, arthritis, spleen and liver ailments. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center celery seeds benefit good urine flow-a frequent problem among us senior citizens. Research is underway to examine the possibility that these seeds may also fight inflammation and also arthritis complications.

6. Celery... taken as a whole is one of the smart-carbohydrates as contrasted with potatoes. rice and other starchy foods.

7. The essential oils from this simple green stalk are used to combat nervousness and even some forms of gout and osteoarthritis.

8. The roots and seeds also augment breast milk secretion-certainly not a concern for us old folks.

9. This super food mixes with virtually any prepared dishes: from raw salads to cooked spaghetti sauce (one of my favorites). I love the added crunch.

10. Mix it in fresh fruit salads too. And it even provides a bounty of great nutrition when cooked.

In review... here's what you can expect from this super food:

· Vitamins A, K and C plus folate and potassium.

· The high fiber content helps to reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol

· The juice from the plant has been tested to lower blood pressure, when consumed on a regular basis

· Storage advice: keep celery refrigerated. When the stalks go limp, trim off a little of the bottom and let it soak in a glass of cool water.

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10 Golden Rules Of Dieting

Modifying our diet is one of the keys to losing weight. But the statistics on diet successes aren't good and only a very small percentage of dieters achieve permanent weight loss. To help you become one of those that do achieve permanent weight loss from dieting, here are Ten Golden Rules to Dieting that you can trust to help you lose those unwanted inches and pounds.

Rule 1: Never Skip Breakfast

The old saying that 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' is certainly on the money when it comes to dieting.

Nothing gets our metabolism going faster than breakfast after a good night's sleep.

Sleeping causes our metabolism to slow right down and breakfast kick-starts it again for us.

But always remember that just as important as having breakfast itself, it's also important to choose healthy breakfast options like wholegrain cereals and breads, low-fat dairy products like milk and yogurt, and fruit or fruit juice.

Rule 2: Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking plenty of water is critically important when we are dieting.

As well as helping to keep us healthy, drinking sufficient amounts of water can help us when dieting because it helps keep us feeling full and stops us from feeling hungry, and when we drink plenty of water we usually drink less soda, coffee and alcohol, all of which can add significant amounts of calories to our daily intake.

Rule 3: Count your Calories

Do you know how many calories you need to maintain your current weight and do you know how many calories you therefore need to consume in order to lose weight?

Once you know these things, you also need to keep track of how many calories you consume each day so that you can compare them to your target and make any necessary adjustments.

Writing down your calorie consumption after each meal will help you realize how much of an effect the little piece of chocolate here and the occasional cookie there has on your weight.

Rule 4: Don't try to lose weight quickly

Gaining significant weight usually takes years and so should losing a significant amount of weight.

Our bodies don't like sudden and significant change; in fact it is built to resist it.

This resistance has a scientific name called homeostasis.

When our body heats up to a temperature above its preferred level what happens?

We sweat, which is an automatic response designed to cool us down to the preferred level again. That's homeostasis at work.

When we lose weight too quickly, what happens?

Our body automatically slows down its metabolism, that is, the rate at which we burn energy to survive and function. That's homeostasis at work again.

In addition to keeping our body from fighting against us on the weight loss front, losing weight too quickly doesn't work because early rapid weight loss usually results from losing body fluid and muscle tissue which is not healthy nor helpful in our battle to lose weight.

Rule 5: It's not just what you eat that counts

Weight gain isn't a sign that we have been eating the wrong food; it is a sign that we have been eating too much food.

The great news about this is that we don't need to all start eating lettuce to lose weight; we just may need to cut down a little on the foods we enjoy each day.

Rule 6: Keeping your metabolism up

Muscle and activity keep our metabolism up which is why weight training to build or maintain our muscle mass and aerobic activity like walking, jogging, cycling and swimming are so important to those of us wanting to lose weight

Dieting alone is not the best route to weight loss and to staying in an ideal weight range.

To lose weight safely and keep it off for as long as possible, always combine dieting and exercise.

Rule 7: You won't continue to eat foods you don't like

Most diets fail because they require us to eat plenty of foods we don't actually like.

If we don't like what we're eating we're not going to stick with our diet for more than a week or two.

The key to successful dieting is to reduce the amount we eat and introduce healthier and lower calorie options of the foods we like gradually into our diet over time.

Rule 8: Watch what you drink as well as eat

Almost everything we drink, except water, has calories in it.

Drinks highest in calories are typically sodas, colas and alcoholic drinks.

If we usually drink a lot of any of these high calorie drinks, it may be them and not what we're eating that is causing us to get fat.

Rule 9: Avoid extremes of any kind

Balance is not only the key to a happy, healthy life; it is also the key to a healthy diet and dieting.

Be weary of any diets that completely cut out some foods or food groups or that severely limit some foods or food groups, for example very low or no-carb diets.

Diets that are extreme in one way or another are likely to be very unhealthy at best and very dangerous to our health at worst.

Rule 10: Get Help

If you have a lot of weight to lose, you've got a better chance of success if you get help.

If your weight is affecting your health to such an extent that it is or is becoming life-threatening or is leading to you suffering from weight related diseases like type-2 diabetes, seek medical help from a doctor or professional help from a dietician or another suitably qualified health care professional to lose weight immediately.

Even if your weight isn't directly affecting your health now, it is a great idea to get help in your battle against the bulge from professionals like dieticians, personal trainers, gyms, psychologists (overeating is often caused by emotional factors) or weight loss program providers and other weight loss specialists.

In addition to getting professional help, non-professional help, support and encouragement is also vital in improving your chances of dieting success. [..]

Good luck with your weight loss and remember that if you keep in mind the ten golden rules of dieting you are sure to be a dieting success story in the making.

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Eat Your Weeds! Forage In Your Yard For Edible Wild Plants

Every year we spend countless billions of dollars and hours of our time eradicating the healthiest foods on the planet.

We dowse these weeds with chemicals, shuddering at the thought of these invaders taking over our fields, pastures and gardens. Or, we handpick them from between our fragile domesticated crops and toss them in the trash, bypassing the compost bin, chicken yard and goat pen. [..]

Weeds are nutritionally superior to our domesticated crops and better acclimated to growing conditions, making them hardy and resilient. Our ancestors all over the world revered these plants for food and medicinal properties. Here are several edible wild plants-herbs-that you should learn how to identify so you can add these nutrient-dense foods to your diet. Be sure to use a field guide for plant identification.

• Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.)-high in iron, beta-carotene and potassium. The blossoms can be made into a wine or fritters. Dandelion roots, made into a tea or added to soups, relieve acne, eczema and water retention by strengthening the liver.

• Lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album)-rich in iron, calcium, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Throughout history, lamb's-quarters were used as a nourishing food during times of famine and war. It is more nutritious than spinach and requires no care in the garden. It is also called goosefoot, because of the shape of the leaves. Can be eaten raw or cooked. The tea can relieve sunburns and headaches.


• Nettles (Urtica dioica)-high in iron, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Because of the stinging hairs on nettles, they should be cooked. Use them in soups and as steamed greens. Nettles are excellent for skin, hair and nails.

• Chicory (Cichorium intybus)-Chicory flowers are used to garnish salads, main dishes and cakes. Young leaves are picked before the plant flowers and added to salads. The root is sautéed as a vegetable or it is dried, roasted and brewed as a coffee. Make a poultice of the leaves for inflamed skin.


• Chickweed (Stellaria media)-high in vitamin C. Traditionally, chickweed was given to frail people to strengthen them. Add the leaves, flowers and stems to soups, salads and stir-fry dishes. Chickweed is also made into a salve for skin disorders for everything from diaper rash to psoriasis.

• Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare, P. erectum)-high in silica. Used to strengthen the connective tissue in the lungs and as a remedy for swollen arthritic joints. Steam the young tender stems and add to stews or quiches. Add the seeds with your other grains to make gruel and breads. Always cook knotweed, eating it raw can cause intestinal discomfort.


• Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)-rich in beta-carotene. The leaves are soothing and anti-inflammatory. Can be eaten raw or cooked, and is used to thicken soups. Made into a tea or syrup, it relieves sore throats, coughs and ulcers. Make a poultice from the fresh shredded leaves and water for skin rashes, burns and insect bites. Garnish your salads with the delicate pink and white flowers.

• Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)-high in omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Purslane strengthens your immune system, liver and heart. An excellent cooling herb, add to cold soups like gazpacho. If you are pregnant or have digestive problems, avoid purslane.


• Violet (Viola spp)-rich in vitamin C. Who can resist the beautiful heart-shaped leaves of violet? Or a springtime dessert made from the crystallized purple, lavender, yellow or white flowers? Violet tea is used for bronchitis, coughs and fevers. Make violet honey and take as a remedy for heartache.

• Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)-Young leaves are high in oxalic acid which inhibits calcium absorption, so eat in moderation and cook in 2 changes of water. Grind the seeds into a nutrient-dense meal and add to breads. It is recommended to remove the astringent papery flanges from the seeds before using. Do this by rubbing the seeds between your hands. Pour them into a clean container, tilt it slightly and sweep the seeds with a playing card, keeping the chaff near the top and letting the seeds roll to the bottom. Make a poultice of the fresh leaves for skin rashes and nettle stings. The root is astringent and antiseptic and used for acne, jaundice and constipation.

Whenever harvesting your edible weeds, be sure to collect them from areas that haven't been sprayed. Allow them to grow in your garden and collect them as you harvest your plants and combine them into nutrient packed meals for your family.

Read several books on identifying plants and talk to your county extension agent on identifying plants in your area if you are not sure how to identify them.

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Organic Kale Chips

Organic kale is so nutritional, and many people are curious about how it can be prepared and also taste great. I am here to share some interesting information regarding kale that will leave you informed and empowered to start incorporating this amazingly versatile green leafy vegetable into your diet for a healthier lifestyle!

Photo: Cookforyourlife.org

Here are some fun facts about the kale plant. Organic kale and other leafy greens are the best source of fiber. Green kale contains high levels of chlorophyll which is the pigment within plants where photosynthesis takes place. Photosynthesis is the process of the leaves absorbing the energy of the sun and transforming it to the energy of the plant. When we choose to eat food that contains higher levels of chlorophyll such as kale, we are actually transferring the sun energy from the kale directly into our bodies. This, in turn, provides us with bountiful health and long lasting energy. Leafy greens, such as organic kale significantly positively impact the human diet.

Kale and other leafy green vegetables are high in iron, as well as the best source of iron, calcium, and magnesium. Iron, calcium and magnesium are all heavy alkaline minerals which aid in detoxification of the liver. When our body absorbs these vital minerals, the minerals actually bind to any heavy metals or chemicals being stored in the body, and are then flushed out of the body through the process of urination.

So I am now going to share the most delicious organic kale chip recipe that will completely amaze you! These kale chips are so tasty that it is hard to stop eating them once you try your first bite! If you have children in your life it is smart to make a large batch due to the fact they disappear fast! Here is what you'll need to make these awesome organic kale chips.

Four bunches of kale, rinsed and patted dry with a towel, and chopped into one inch sized pieces.
Four tablespoons of olive oil.
One teaspoon of sea salt.
Two tablespoons of nutritional yeast.
A food dehydrator.

Start by making sure to wash your kale under cold water, then pat dry with a towel or cloth. Then chop up the kale into one inch sized pieces. Next place organic chopped kale into a large bowl and add the olive oil. Now you need to gently use your hands and massage the oil into the kale leaves until they are evenly coated with the oil. Then you sprinkle the sea salt onto the mixture and again gently massage into the kale leaves. The last ingredient is the nutritional yeast flakes. You may need to go to a natural foods grocery store to find nutritional yeast flakes. Sprinkle the yeast flakes evenly onto the kale leaves. The final step is to spread the kale leaf mixture onto your food dehydrator to be dehydrated at around one hundred ten degrees. By dehydrating at the lower temperature of one hundred ten degrees, all of the life force energy of the raw kale leaves will remain alive, therefore not losing the valuable living enzymes of the plant for your health and nutrition. Dehydrate anywhere from six to eight hours, depending on the efficiency of the dehydrator. After six hours check and eat a kale chip to see if it is crunchy enough according to your preference.

Photo: Meghantelpner.com

These organic kale snack chips are so delicious you will never want to eat a potato chip again! I am not even kidding here folks, these chips are the most yummy snack ever, and based off of my own personal experience, you can never have enough because they go so quick! Children especially go absolutely nuts over them. Please enjoy this recipe, you will experience snacking in a whole new and healthy way!

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