FOOD-AS-MEDICINE: SPINACH + RECIPE FOR SPINACH SALAD WITH MISO VINAIGRETTE

FOOD-AS-MEDICINE: SPINACH + RECIPE FOR SPINACH SALAD WITH MISO VINAIGRETTE

Choose bright leaves that are crisp to touch for highest vitamin C content and freshness. Store spinach in air-tight plastic bag in your fridge. Wash spinach just before using. Spinach has vitamin K and calcium to aid with bone health. Be aware that if you are on a blood thinning medication (Coumadin, Warfarin) that vitamin K works to coagulate or clot the blood so this will interfere with your medication. For those of you that do not have blood clotting issues, the vitamin K can be a beneficial nutrient for bone health and heart health. Spinach also provides us with heart healthy nutrients folic acid, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium all which aid in formation of red blood cells and/or reduce the inflammation of your blood vessels. Aim for 2 cups a day it can be added to anything!

There are over a dozen different plant based compounds (phytocompounds) that fight inflammation and cancer found in spinach. When testing vegetables on their efficacy to fight off cancerous tumors only spinach had a significant impact on prostate tumors. Epoxyxanthophylls are the primary cancer-fighting compound from the carotenoid family found abundantly in spinach greens. This nutrient also improves overall nervous system function and eye health.

SPINACH SALAD WITH MISO VINAIGRETTE

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsp walnut oil, divided

1 Tbsp miso

1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 Tbsp fresh minced ginger

1 tsp raw unfiltered honey

1 tsp dark sesame oil

1 1/2 cups shaved cucumber

1 package baby spinach

1 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

DIRECTIONS:

Combine oil through sesame oil in a bowl with a whisk. Add cucumber and spinach to bowl; toss well. Serve with a protein of

your choice: wild fish, organic/pasture raised chicken, grass-fed strip steak, or beans.