Welcome to our Urban Family series by Sharon Raccah Perez, founder of 'PowerMeHealthy.' As an accredited Health Coach and healthy home food chef, Sharon will share advice based on her experiences and desire to help others see the importance of healthy living and eating.
Now that you have well and truly settled the family into a routine after the long summer, how have you fared getting back into a rhythm of eating well and looking after yourself? Maybe it's time to put a little focus on 'you' and consider a detox of sorts.
When I say "detox," I mean reassessing the foods and temptations you gave into while getting the kids back to school. This includes the hustle and bustle of life in Shanghai that has you saying "yes," to meeting friends over coffee, lunch or afternoon tea and potentially snacking throughout the day.
You may feel like living in China means it difficult to maintain healthy eating habits and balance your intake, but trust me, there are options available. Thankfully, there are certified organic products readily available for you to prepare a health-conscious meal or snack at home. My favorite place to go is BIOFarm, or you can also try Tony's Farm.
I suggest instead of drastically changing your diet in three days, consider identifying any habits you may have formed over the past months and take action to reset yourself. For example, if you feel the need for something sweet, indulge in a fresh fruit salad. If you desire a savory snack, make a bowl of hummus and enjoy it with grilled veggies such as asparagus, zucchini and mushroom – these are full of goodness with immense flavor. Or, you can make my favorite go-to snack: kale chips. Of all the healthy greens, kale is the king. Packed full of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, its benefits hit vital areas such as protecting our eyes, fighting cancer and weight management.
Image via Pixabay
Sharon's Kale Chips
80 grams kale leaves
½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or melted coconut oil
¼ teaspoon fine grain sea salt or pink Himalayan sea salt
Additional seasoning: You can also add flavors such as garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika or onion powder.
Steps
1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees Celsius.
2. Remove the leaves from the kale stems and tear them into large pieces. Wash and gently dry.
3. Place the leaves into a bowl and thoroughly coat with olive oil. Then, sprinkle on the seasonings and mix to combine.
4. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread out the kale in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the kale.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, then rotate the tray and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes until the kale begins to firm up.
6. Allow the chips to cool for 3 minutes and eat immediately, as they lose their crispness with time.
[Cover image via Pexels]
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