spinach
food of the month for april
‘I’m strong to the finish when I eats me spinach I popeye the sailor man!!”
Popeye, 1930
we all grew up knowing that popeye gained his super human strength by eating spinach, but what we didnt know then is that he may have also been protecting himself against osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, arthritis, and other diseases at the same time.
it has been discovered that spinach is packed with phytochemicals
(fight-o-chemicals), plant produced substances which help protect the
plant. the good news is that they help protect humans too, popeye was on to something.
spinach is an excellent source of vitamin C, beta carotene (the precursor to vit A) and a great source of fiber.
the vitamin K provided by 1 cup fresh spinach leaves is almost 200% of the daily value, spinach is also an excellent source of the bone building
minerals calcium and magnesium.
cooked spinach is an excellent source of iron, a mineral that it
particularly important for menstruating women, who are more at risk for
iron deficiency
bon appetite magazine conducted their annual poll in march 2005. 56%
responded that spinach is their favorite vegetable.
history:
spinach originates from the Middle East, most likely persia or modern-day iran. it was brought to spain via the moors somewhere between 800 AD and 1200 AD. cultivation of spinach began in north america around 1806.
popeye’s creator, e.c. segar, was a vegetarian. e.c. segar wanted to make sure everyone knew the benefits of eating veggies. the one sure way he helped promote the love of vegetables was to make his popular character love spinach
the spinach growers credited popeye with a 33% increase in U.S. spinach consumption — and saving the spinach industry in the 1930s.
spinach belongs to the chenopodiaceae family along with chard and beets.
lemony spinach: a simple, yummy and lemony side dish
1 bunch spinach
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
pinch sea salt
1) wash and chop spinach
2) add all ingredients in pan
3) cook over medium heat (about 3 minutes)
