Incorporating Spinach

I couldn't help but want to post something about the amazing Super Food spinach after I got done talking about the smoothies.  The smoothies are definitely the best way to get kids to eat spinach, but I like it it several different forms. 

Here are a couple of ideas to get more spinach into your diet:

Use spinach for lettuce on your sandwiches.  Don't use iceberg, which has hardly any nutritional content, use spinach to power pack the sandwich. 

Spinach Quesadillas are another favorite of mine.  You can wilt your spinach by putting a little olive oil (and chopped garlic if you'd like) into a skillet and pile on the spinach. 

It reduces A LOT, so you can put a lot into your pan.  Just turn it constantly until it reduces to small wilted leaves.  It only takes a minute or so, so keep your eye on it. 

Then chop your spinach and put into a delicious quesadilla with yummy cheeses & black beans.  I love to dip it in guacamole & salsa for flavor as well.  You can also throw wilted spinach in with your spaghetti sauce for dinner.  Play with it and see how many ways you can use it. 

Spinach Omelets.  Another tip for spinach is to throw them in your eggs in the morning.  I know it sounds gross, but it's not!  Get some fresh leaves (preferably the kind already washed in bags or boxes, not the kind in a tiny box on the freezer aisle.  I put the big box from Sam's Club or Costco in my freezer and just use it from there)  Put your eggs in a pan, take a handful of the frozen leaves and crush them in your hand until they break into tiny pieces, throw them in your eggs, and voila!  I like to add salsa on top of my eggs for some flavor or use some Rotel tomatoes in your egg mixture also.  The more flavor, the better!  Season with salt & lemon pepper!  My kids love that!   If your husband is into extra protein, throw in some bacon bits or sausage crumbles for him.  Sometimes the guys are a little slow to warm up to the spinach idea :)


EVERYONE'S FAVORITE SPINACH SALAD RECIPE

Organic spinach
Any fruit (My fav. combos are in Winter-apples & craisins  Summer-strawberries & kiwi's)
Blue cheese or feta cheese
Candied almonds, pecans or walnuts

Sweet Apple Cider Dressing:
1 large shallot
1/3 c. apple cider vinegar
2 T. fresh lemon juice
3/4 t. pepper
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. canola oil (preferably expeller pressed Canola Oil)

Put all the ingredients for the salad dressing in a blender and blend for at least 30 seconds.  This dressing will stay good in your refrigerator for at least a couple weeks. 


I hope you'll start experimenting with spinach because it is SO good for you!  The benefits will definitely pay off in the end and I know you'll find yourself loving spinach.  Give yourself time for the taste buds to adjust if you are use to eating a lot of fast foods, salts, and fats.  It might take a while, but stick with it!!  Start with the smoothies and go from there!