Fiber

Everyone is in agreement that increasing your fiber consumption is important, especially if you suffer from constipation, hemorrhoids, high blood sugar levels or high cholesterol.

But, not all fiber is created the same. For use as an additive, it would be prohibitively expensive to commercially extract fiber from our common foods. Thus, today’s fiber is typically a byproduct from the bamboo and cotton industry. For your own information, count the number of products, energy products and supplements that include “fiber” as an ingredient. Now imagine, all the chemicals used in cotton production and in the manufacturing of bamboo.

Fortunately, enjoying a diet of whole (versus processed) foods naturally provides you with ample fiber. What an easy solution! See Please Don’t Pass the Bamboo for additional details.

Easily Remove Stems from Kale

Here's how to strip the fibrous stem from kale (or collards or a mustard greens), hold the stem in one hand. With the fingers of your other hand start at the top of the leaf, pull the leaf in one direction and the stem in the other direction. They'll easily separate. Cut the leaf into desired size and, minus its stem, it will cook more quickly and evenly.

Don’t, however, toss the stems. I slice them on the diagonal (otherwise they’re too fibrous to enjoy) and add them to stir fries or a soup. Uncut, they go into a soup stock.