**Kale is a form of cabbage and related to broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Kale is very low in calories and contains more nutrients than most greens. Kale is an excellent source of vitamin K, which is essential for bones and blood health, and helps by mediating coagulation and anticoagulation. Sulforaphane is a chemical found in kale and sprouts and broccoli. There’s a study published in the Drug Discovery Today Journal found that sulforaphane may help stop breast cancer cells from growing. The University of Texas also conducted a sty and found that a diet rich in kale may prevent bladder cancer by up to 29%. Kale may also help with ovarian cancer too. The Nurse’s Healthy Study Journal observed that women whose diet provided the most kaempferol, a flavonoid found in kale, had a 40% reduction in risk of ovarian cancer.

By supplying the body with plenty of calcium, copper and magnesium, kale may help absorb iron and prevent bone loss.

Kale and Pear Smoothie

This smoothie provides twice the daily requirement of Vitamin a and seven times the recommended amount of Vitamin K. Drink for better bones, help your heart and improve your immune system. Pear these delicious by bitter leaves with pear, green grapes, an orange and a banana, and you get a surprisingly sweet smoothie, that is amazingly loaded with nutrition. Add ginger for a zest of energy.

Green grapes help improve circulation and prevent blood clot-and the seeds contain protective flavinol compounds that fight free radicals and repair connective tissues. Oranges protect against colds, flu, heart disease and strokes with a big vitamin C immune boost. Bananas are the norm for a smoothie staple, but they are packed with cholesterol calming potassium.

Makes 4 cups    
Variable – High
Time – 60 minutes

1 cup green grapes
1 orange, peeled
½ pear
1 banana, fresh or frozen
1 cup of kale
½ cup water
2 ½ cups of ice

Direction: place all ingredients into container and secure lid. Select Variable speed 1 then immediately go to 10, then click to High for 60 seconds. Turn speed back to 1 and High to Variable. Turn machine off.

Kale Pear Ginger Sorbet

Makes 8 small cups        
Variable – High
Time – 60 minutes

1 cup kale
1 slice ginger
1 pear (quartered)
2 dates
2 ½ cups of ice
Blend speed 10, Variable – High for 45 seconds