Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Adventures in Coconut Water, Kale and Squash


I'm just going to say it. I don't get the coconut water hype. I had tried some when I was getting my hair done a couple weeks ago and enjoyed the flavor but didn't examine the label closely. I bought some on my own today at lunch and again, picked it up blindly without reading the can. Maybe if I was totally burned out on water and just wanted the taste of something else...I just cant justify 12 grams of sugar. It was tasty, but I really think I should have only had about half of this can. In the end, I just don't think that it tasted so great that it was worth the sugar. I will stick to plain water unless I'm in the mood for a treat. In which case, I'd have ice cream and cake (hellloooo?).


I've been experimenting with red kale lately. It has the same amazing health benefits if it's green cousin, but with a slightly different flavor. It's less bitter and more mild. I still like the green kale in my smoothies much more, maybe I"m just used to it. So far I've made the red kale by sauteeing it with onion and garlic and its really good. An excellent side vegetable if you are looking for more variety. Can't beat the B vitamins, vitamin A as well as the other minerals you get from this tasty veggie!!




I bought a spaghetti squash last week and was tempted to just make it the way I usually do. That is, roast it, clean out the innards and make "spaghetti" with the strands, and eat with butter and parmesan and garlic. Well, I happened to see this recipe for Spaghetti Squash Lasagna on Skinnytaste and thought I'd branch out. I did not get any photos of it, as I made it at my parents house. Everyone was actually surprised at how much more they liked it than they thought they would. No one in my family is a fan of the spaghetti squash like I am apparently!

Have you ever tried red kale? How do you like to eat it? Spaghetti squash is in season and I'm looking forward to trying more recipes!

7 comments:

  1. The price of coconut water is what keeps me from buying it often. But, that's okay. Water is our standard.

    I've never had red kale before, I'll have to pick some up next time I hit Whole Foods. And spaghetti squash? We love it. I'm not sure we've put anything on it...maybe a little olive oil & salt (no cheese for a family meal due to the casein). Though we were in the 80s today, there are signs of fall and I'm looking forward to some fall flavors too! :>

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just can't get "in" to spaghetti squash. We love roasted or grilled squash at our house but I've tried making spaghetti out of the strands and it just isn't for us.

    I agree about the Coconut water! 12g-ugh

    april@Party of Five

    ReplyDelete
  3. yeah Karen, I didn't mention the cost but the can I got was over $2. Definitely something I would drink all the time even if I LOVED it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was at the store yesterday and saw coconut water for kids with "no sugar added". I thought to myself "great thing for the kids for after soccer or whatever" and then saw it had 13(!!!!!) grams of sugar. I think not. It tastes ok, but is way $$$ and too sugary. Why not have juice and get the health benefits of the fruits? Crazy!
    I need to find some red kale and try that spaghetti squash recipe- yum!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love coconut water and I'm lucky I can get the fresh off the husk all-natural coconut water here. Never tasted it in a can and I'm pretty sure I won't like it now that you mentioned it's got added sugar.

    I had some pumpkin today, not something I'm crazy about nor anything that looks like it LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A new addition to my reperatoire: Raw red kale salad add shredded carrots and red cabbage with favorite dressing. Beautiful fall colors and a very tasty simple salad

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Mrs. Marinak, love the sound of that salad!!

    ReplyDelete

Hungripeeps want to say: