According to How Stuff Works: Spinach and other dark leafy greens like kale, collards, Swiss chard, turnip greens and bok choy are loaded with calcium, folic acid, vitamin K and iron.
Spinach is also rich in vitamin C, fiber and carotenoids. Add its lutein and bioflavanoids and spinach is a nutritional powerhouse. The calcium content in spinach and the other dark leafy greens mentioned above strengthens bones.
The A and C vitamins in spinach plus the fiber, folic acid, magnesium and other nutrients help control cancer, especially colon, lung and breast cancers. Folate also lowers the blood levels of something called homocysteine, a protein that damages arteries. So spinach also helps protect against heart disease. The flavonoids in spinach help protect against age related memory loss.
Spinach's secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods in the world to prevent cataracts, as well as age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the elderly. Foods rich in lutein are also thought to help prevent cancer.
There are many variation of spinach salad but this is one of my favorites.
Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese
Ingredients:
8 cups baby spinach leaves, washed
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
Directions:
Place spinach in a large bowl and toss with vinaigrette to coat. Top with walnuts and goat cheese and serve.
Apple-Cider Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
1/2 cup organic Apple-Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 clove garlic, crushed or minced
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons Italian Herbs (dried and pre-mixed)
1 clove garlic, crushed or minced
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons Italian Herbs (dried and pre-mixed)
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake. This recipe does not have to be refrigerated.
Looks simple and tasty and I am going to make it! Not only that I am now a new follower of you!
ReplyDeleteYeah! Thanks Donna. I was just added you to my blog list>>>
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Dangling Particles...good lord. I'll stick to my garden for now.