Love stories & Kale Chips

A little over 3 years ago, I started my 4th semester of college. It was a new year, and I wanted a fresh new start.

I was newly single, and well...not ready to mingle.

I wanted nothing to do with the opposite sex. I wanted to focus on school 100%, and try and figure out who I was. I had just been accepted into a study abroad program in Mexico, and was excited to enjoy what was ahead of me...

But then the unexpected happened...

My new roommates and I decided to start off the new semester by going to a party thrown at one of the clothing stores in our small little college town. The last thing I wanted to do was date again. I was just there to have a good time, flirt with boys, and dance. Then this boy came up to me. I knew of him, but I didn't know him. He was well known around our small campus community. His apartments threw the biggest parties, many girls liked him, and did I mention he was...hot :)!

He asked me my name and I told him. We chatted for a little while, and then went back to enjoying the party. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. I honestly thought...why would he be talking to me...? We ran into each other a couple more times that night, where he repeatedly asked me my name (jerk), and then in the end asked me for my number. I was hesitant to give it to him, because I figured...he probably just wants to hook up..(haha)..But I did. I don't know why. I just did.

Then a couple days went by and we saw each other here and there. We continued to flirt via text, and then one night he called. The conversation went like this...

Boy: "When am I going to see you again?"

Me: "I dunno, when do you want to see me?"

Boy: "Well how bout this..you call me if you ever want to see me again! "

Me: "haha ok..."

I was shocked. ME call YOU! Umm aren't the boys supposed to do that kind of work. I was nervous. Why? He was this hot well known stud, and I was just this quiet nerd trying to pick up my spanish skills for Mexico. It would be so out of character for me to call boys and make the first move...

It just wasn't me...

So as I paced my tiny apartment back and forth, heart pumping, 50 million looks in the mirror fixing my hair...I finally decided...

I was gonna call that boy.

And the rest is history... :)

If I didn't jump out of my comfort zone...I wouldn't be the person I am today. And I wouldn't have the most amazing people in my life.

Now this may sound a little bit off, but I am relating this story to food. The fuel to our bodies. Eating the right food, is similar to taking chances. It's hard to step out of our comfort zone of the fast food, ready in minutes, quick and easy, cheap and tasty.

Why would you want to go to the store, buy expensive organic meat, all the ingredients to go along with the meal, then go home, cook the meal, and finally sit down to eat...?

When in fact you can go through the drive through and buy a hamburger on the dollar meal, and have it ready in minutes.

Choices about the food you eat, go along with the same choices that you make in life. Why study hard, stress in college, and pay a pretty penny to get a good education? It would be so much easier to breeze by in school, skip college, and go straight to working. Difference is the experience you will gain, the knowledge you will have, and the amount of money you will earn.

Going along with food, eating right (and exercising) can help you live longer and feel better. All the while missing out on diabetes, diseases, cancer, sicknesses, and everything else that goes along with an unhealthy lifestyle. Healthy food may be expensive, but so are doctors bills when we don't take care of our bodies.

We have the choice to step out of our comfort zones and do what's best for our bodies. It won't be easy and it sometimes isn't cheap, but I can promise you, it will be worth it.

So I'm giving you an opportunity. To try something new. To try something scary. To try something...that seems...disgusting?

Salt & Vinegar Kale Chips

*Kale has an amazing source of Vitamins A, K, and C, and it's a cancer fighting food.*

Ingredients:

1 bunch curly kale

1 TB olive oil

1 1/2 TB vinegar

salt to taste

Directions:

1. Peel off curly parts of kale and place in bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, vinegar, and a little bit of salt. Massage (literally) the kale, so that the kale becomes evenly coated.

2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and place Kale on a prepared baking sheet (parchment paper/baking mat). Make sure Kale is spread evenly through out sheet.

3. Bake kale for 25 minutes, or until Kale is completely crisp. Stir the Kale every ten minutes so every piece is evenly baked. Once done, taste the chips, and if you want, add more salt to your liking.