Summer Kale Salad

Kale is an amazing vegetable! It is full of flavonoids, yep that's a real word, giving it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties! It has been linked to lowering the risk of a half-dozen cancers as well as being known as a great aid to the bodies detoxification system. 

This is a very simple and amazing salad full of flavor! 

Ingredients 

2 bunches chopped kale 

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup shredded red cabbage 

1 cup organic feta cheese

1/2 cup sliced almonds 

Dressing:

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons honey

Put chopped vegetables in a heat safe bowl. Put dressing ingredients in a small pot heat until honey melts and stir. Pour hot dressing over salad, toss and  let stand for 20 minutes. (You may need to make more dressing depending on how much kale you have, just be sure the majority has been covered lightly). Add feta and almonds, season with pepper and put in fridge uncovered for an hour. You want the kale to wilt. Serve. 

This keeps well in a glass tupperware container for a few days. 

Wake up your garden with coffee grinds!

If you are a coffee drinker pause before you toss out the grinds left from your morning brew. Coffee grinds are an excellent mulch choice for gardens!  They are a great source of nitrogen and minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium. There are a few ways you can take advantage of the benefits of coffee grinds in your garden. 

1. If you have a composter just toss them in 

2. Add them directly to the soil, just sprinkle them around the plants and watch them grow! 

3. Use them as a barrier for snails. (broken egg shells work well for this too) Just sprinkle a small wall of the grinds around your plants, snails avoid the texture and the acid in the grounds. 

4. Liquid fertilizer can be made by adding a few cups of coffee grounds to a 5-gallon bucket. Let it steep over night

If you're not a coffee drinker stop by your local Starbucks and ask them for their grinds! They are usually happy to give them to a gardener! 

Happy Gardening!