Our garden ambassadors periodically cook/prepare garden produce and host a “taste test” during the 10:15 recess at this adorable cart:
Thank you Kymm for repurposing this old AV cart we found in the storage barn!
Today we tackled kale—considered by many to be the most nutritious vegetable to eat. It also seems to grow effortlessly and abundantly—here’s some plants grown from seed by our PLUS team (junior high leadership).
Kale framed by yellow snapdragons
Kale can also be perceived as hard to eat. To introduce it to our kids in a positive way, the ambassadors met before school to blend up smoothies with kale, apple juice, bananas, celery and fresh lemon juice. Kids lined up for a taste, and the girls recorded a “yum” or “yuck” rating.
I love this idea because it introduces kids to new foods and flavors, all in the fun of a recess “taste test.” One girl lingered for a few minutes before getting up the nerve to down her ounce of green smoothie—once she did, she asked for the recipe so her grandmother could make her more. Some kids got back in line and begged for seconds. Another little girl said she wished we had it every snack recess. Teachers came out to taste test too!
Mrs. Younce gives kale smoothie an enthusiastic “thumbs up”!
What's not to like? 
Hi everyone this is Sandra Broussard from Be Wise Ranch. I love what you are doing here with the kids. If you get a chance there is a great recipe for massaged kale salad in the Kind Life Book by Alicia Silverstone. It is so good I think even kids will like it.
Keep up the good work it is great to see.
Hi Sandra! Thanks again for being willing to donate a box of Be Wise produce to our emerging program. I plan to write a whole post about this, as well as document the ways we are using your organic, local produce!
Thank you Tricia, I have the dates on my calendar so it is all set. Let me know if we can do anything else to help.
Exploring the beyond with kale! Good work!
Thanks! I must admit that I learned to enjoy it too! I see a lot of smoothies in our future. (Ethan is the king smoothie maker in our house.)
Ooh, I want to try kale chips! (I’ll be gone next Friday. Can we taste test them earlier in the week? P-l-e-a-s-e?) Ms. T
If not this year, then next! I’m hoping to have a good harvest awaiting us in August for all kinds of cooking!
T,
Never fed my kids Kale.Never heard of it back in the day.One little girl gagged on applesauce.dad
THAT was my sister. I gagged on chili.
Never cared for Kale chips – maybe it was the way I made them – 300 degree oven, coat leaves with olive oil and sea salt, turn at 10 minute intervals until crispy.
For me (and millions that carry too much weight like me) I like to cook Kale and any other dark greens with bacon and something pungent (onions or garlic). I chop some bacon in a skillet, add chopped onion, and when it sweats add a giant pile of kale leaves. Once they wild down I add about half a cup of water, cover them and let them steam/simmer until tender. The last four minutes, I add a handfull of fresh green beans to the top of the kale pile. Makes a great warm kale and green bean salad. Of course bacon makes cardboard taste great too.
Congrats on getting kids to try new healthy foods in a healthy way!
See you in Master Gardener Class.
Stan Miller
Thanks for the recipe Stan! With school winding down (my kids’ as well as my own!), I plan to spend more time cooking, which has fallen to the wayside in the business of Spring!
I have to say: I keep compulsively telling people that peanut butter and chocolate have the most “bug parts” per processed foods. Upon hearing this, no one has given either one up. 🙂
The photos are great! I’ve heard kale chips are pretty good, too. I discovered I even like it plain in a salad. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Donna! We were thinking of trying kale chips next week. Send any recipe ideas my way!