Fun, Tasty Spinach Ideas (She: Steph)

Hi! I’m Steph. I play mom to two munchkins (ages 3 & 2), and wife to an amazing man. It’s fun playing house and I find it so rewarding…most days What an awesome opportunity to be back with ya’ll! Thank you Mariel and Jessica! So for those of you who weren’t around a year ago, here’s what we did:

(click on picture for complete tutorial)

I have soooo many craft ideas just itching to come to fruition, but other things have temporarily taken priority since we moved across the Atlantic. So I was stumped when I had to come up with a craft-free post. This meant I had to strain my little brain.

I thought why not make it easy and think about some ideas that are close to my heart…something I’m passionate about perhaps…or something I do on a daily basis.

Hmmm…I’m a jack of many trades, master of nada. So this poses a problem.

I fiddle and love performing, I love my religion, enjoy the outdoors, studying languages, am passionate about clean/healing foods and physically pushing my body to the max.

None of this was blog-able to me…at least not in just one post.

But then I remembered my friends. And how some have come to me and asked me how to begin turning their cooking/pantry into an organic one. And how to start incorporating healthy changes. They also ask me for easy food ideas that are healthful and fun for kids, but appeal to the entire family as well.

I do not claim to be an expert, nutritionist, or chef. However, I do claim a love and passion for it. It has been my passion for the last 15 years. And I think being a mother to young eaters gives us some credibility in the kitchen anyway Don’t you? I have a favorite ingredient which I like to try and incorporate into as many meals as possible.

Wanna know what it is?

It’s in the title, you cheaters.

I know, I know, don’t roll your eyes at me. I PROMISE this will be fun and that you will enjoy at least one of my recipes!

But first, for the unbeliever, (and for those who eat purely for health, good for you! That’s difficult. I hate tomatoes but incorporate them into my daily diet because of their countless benefits.)

Here are some Reasons to Incorporate Spinach:

1. This is a very nutrient-dense food. A 1-cup serving has only 41 calories but it’s very high in vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients.

2. It’s so versatile! It can be eaten raw, blended, or cooked, and added to just about anything!

3. Spinach is loaded with 13 different flavonoids which act as antioxidants, protecting the body from free radicals. If you don’t know what those are, free radicals are bad guys. We don’t want them in or around us, but they are. So we need to fight them with things like flavoids and antioxidants.

4. It contains chlorophyll and carotene which are strong protectors against cancer.

5. It’s heart-healthy.

It’s an outstanding source of vitamins C and A (which are also antioxidants). The antioxidants work to keep cholesterol from oxidizing. It’s folate is good for a healthy cardiovascular system It’s got Magnesium, a mineral that helps to lower high blood pressure.

6.Gastrointestinal health – The beta-carotene and vitamin C work to protect the cells of the body’s colon from the harmful effects of free radicals. Also, the folate may prevent DNA damage and mutations in colon cells.

7. Inflammatory conditions like, arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine headaches, and asthma, may be helped because of the anti-inflammatory properties found in spinach.

8. Studies have shown that consumption of spinach may slow the age-related decline in brain function. So, follow Popeye and eat your greens!

9. It contains Lutein – a carotenoid that maintains the health of your eyes and skin. It’s protective against eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.

10. Excellent source of Iron – which is particularly important for women, growing children and adolescents. In comparison to red meat, spinach provides a lot fewer calories, and it is fat and cholesterol free. Because iron is a component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all body cells, it’s needed for good energy.

Whole Wheat Flax-seed and Spinach Pancakes

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup Ground Flaxseed
5-6 cups Fresh Spinach
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 cup Lowfat Buttermilk
1 Whole Egg
1 Tbsp Canola Oil

Method:
1. Throw spinach in a blender with enough buttermilk to puree it.
2. Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Whisk egg, oil and remaining milk together.
4. Add the spinach puree to the wet ingredients, then add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Batter should be lumpy.
5. Spray pan with non-stick spray and cook.
6. Serve with warm cinnamon applesauce, sliced peaches, strawberries, or even pureed mangoes!

Spinach Steel Cut Oats

Steel Cut Oats
Milk
1-2 Bananas
1 Cup spinach

Method:
1.Cook the Steel Cut Oats according to package directions, choosing serving size accordingly.
2. Puree Spinach in blender with a dash of milk to make it smooth.
3. Mash bananas in small mixing bowl (number of bananas depends on how sweet you like your cereal.)
4. When Oats are finished cooking, add the spinach puree then bananas to taste.

(proof that even my pickiest eater eats it without being forced




Double Spinach and Garlic Quesadillas
(these are our fave!):

Spinach Tortillas (or any whole wheat tortillas with only ingredients that you can pronounce)
Cheese (I prefer unpasteurized)
1 fresh Clove of Garlic finely chopped
2 handfuls of chopped Spinach

Method:
1. Throw a tortilla down on a greased pan
2. Sprinkle on the clove of garlic

3. Cover it in spinach (it cooks down a lot)

4. Now for the cheese.

Remember, these are supposed to be healthy, so don’t drench them in artery-clogging cheese


5. Lay a second tortilla on top
6. Cook on a medium-low heat because you want the inside to get piping hot before it overcooks the tortillas. Flip when underside is starting to turn golden brown and
Whalla!

Bottom Line:


- Better Vision
- Healthier Heart
- Healthier Colon
- Better Blood Cells
- Stronger Bones
- and it fights Cancer

You can make spinach fun,
I promise.
I have a bunch more recipes, including a spinach smoothie, casseroles, and a spaghetti sauce with 13 hidden vegetables!
But you’d be reading for a week if I posted them all.
So if you’d like more, you can visit me at: My Blog
or leave a comment here.
Let us know how you enjoy these recipes!