Don’t Throw Out That Kale! - Smart, Modern Ways to Use Every Leaf
Have you ever opened your fridge, locked eyes with a once-proud bunch of kale, and thought… “You had so much potential.”
Or maybe you’ve finished juicing, admired that mountain of vibrant green pulp, and felt a tiny pang of guilt as it stared back at you.
Good news: kale still has work to do.
In today’s Earthly Bodies Natural Living Tip, we’re talking about simple, practical, zero-waste ways to extend the life of your greens. Not fussy. Not trendy-for-the-sake-of-it. Just smart, nourishing ideas that honor your food and your grocery budget.
Let’s get into it.
1. Turn Aging Kale Into Green Power Cubes 🧊
Kale doesn’t need to be picture-perfect to be powerful.
If your greens are starting to wilt, soften, or lose their crisp edge (but are still safe to eat), here’s how to save them:
How to do it:
Rinse your kale well and remove tough stems if desired
Add to a high-powered blender with about 1 cup of water
Blend until smooth
Pour into ice cube trays and freeze overnight
How to use them later:
Drop a cube or two into smoothies
Stir into veggie-packed soups or stews
Add to lentils, beans, or grains for a quiet nutrient boost
Think of these cubes as concentrated green insurance for busy mornings.
2. Sauté Your Juice Pulp (Yes, Really)
This one is a household favorite over here, thanks to my husband’s instinct to never waste a good thing.
After juicing kale, instead of tossing the pulp, try this:
Quick skillet method:
Heat a TBSP of olive or avocado oil in a pan
Add chopped onion and sauté until fragrant
Toss in the kale pulp
Season simply with salt, pepper, and a splash of tamari or liquid aminos
What you’ll get is a savory, fiber-rich base that works beautifully as:
A side dish
A filling for wraps or tacos
A mix-in for grain bowls or veggie scrambles
Pro tip: If you’re not ready to use it right away, freeze pulp portions in reusable containers until inspiration strikes.
3. A few more modern additions
✨ Kale Stem Pesto
Don’t sleep on the stems. Blend them with garlic, lemon, nuts or seeds, olive or avocado oil, and herbs for a bold, waste-free pesto.
✨ Massage + Store for the Week
Massage fresh kale with a little lemon juice and just a little of your favorite oil, then store it in an airtight container. Prepped this way, it can last several extra days and is ready for salads anytime.
✨ Add to Baked Goods
Finely chopped or blended kale can disappear into savory muffins, veggie pancakes, or flatbreads without stealing the spotlight.
Why This Matters
Eating plant-based doesn’t have to mean frequent grocery runs or tossing food that still has life in it.
When you use every part of what you buy, you:
🌱 Save money
🌱 Reduce food waste
🌱 Get more nourishment from the same ingredients
That’s a win for your kitchen and your earthly body.
If this tip helped you look at your greens a little differently, I’d love to hear from you.
Drop a comment below with your favorite way to extend the life of kale or other greens, and feel free to share this post with someone who’s currently negotiating with their crisper drawer.
Here’s to making our Earthly Bodies a safe, nourished place to LIVE!
