Just The Tip: How To Massage Kale

TGI #JustTheTip day, friends!

Let’s talk about kale (baby. Let’s talk about you and me…). We all know that kale is a powerhouse on the nutrition front, which explains its enduring #1 status on the list of trendy superfoods, but there are still plenty of kale haters out there. Trust me, I get it—I used to be one.

For the longest time, I forced myself to eat kale on a semi-regular basis (shunning the green’s potential smart/pretty benefits gave me major FOMO), but it was rarely an enjoyable experience. Because let’s be honest, people, the raw green is kind of nasty. Even when it’s been tossed with a delicious dressing and hidden beneath a pile of your favorite salad accoutrements, kale is tough and grassy, and chewing through a bowl of the stuff is mildly exhausting. Sad, but true.

Then I tried my first massaged kale salad, and just like that, I saw the light.

Not to go full Gwyneth on you, but giving your kale a little rub down will change your life. It has a magical transformative effect on the leafy green, tenderizing it and mellowing the aforementioned grassy flavor. Sure, massaging your salad sounds odd, but I promise it’s far less creepy than it sounds. And once you try this simple technique, which I demonstrate in today’s groundbreaking episode of Just The Tip, you’ll be all kinds of pumped to eat more of the stuff.

Watch and learn.

p.s. If you’d like to practice your massage skills, I’ve rounded up my favorite kale recipes below.

p.p.s. Congrats to Ally, the winner of her very own Jamba Juice Quiet Blender! And a huge thank you to all who entered the giveaway. Apparently, very few peeps are Arrested Development fans, but I loved reading through everyone’s favorite smoothie combos. ‘Twas very inspiring.

Domesticate ME!’s Best Massaged Kale Recipes:

Autumn Kale Salad with Roasted Cauliflower and Apple. Tender massaged kale plays very well with roasted cauliflower florets, crunchy apple and a punchy cider vinaigrette. Fact.

Chicken Club Salad with Kale, Avocado and Dijon-Buttermilk Dressing. All the best parts of a club sandwich over a bed of superfood greens. (Did that not sound exciting? It was meant to.)

Farro with Chipotle Glazed Squash, Kale and Toasted Pepitas. This sexy smorgasbord of autumnal flavors is the most delicious way to add some much-needed nutrients to your fall/holiday feasts.

Summer Kale Salad with Strawberries and Avocado. Pretty, refreshing, and bursting with antioxidants, this is the ultimate #nakedseason lunch or side.

Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Pomegranate and Avocado. Massaged kale and earthy brussels sprouts make for a shockingly delicious and hearty salad base. Make this your go to when you’re in need of some fall/winter cleansing.

Kale Salad with Edamame, Roasted Cashews and Miso Dressing. For those that serious texture and a little Asian flare with their kale.

Kale Salad with Quinoa, Cranberries and Toasted Almonds. Ahhh, the salad that started it all. If you fear kale, this recipe may just change your tune…