Ingredient Spotlight: Spinach

The calcium in spinach can help strengthen your bones to fight against injury, and vitamins A and C, fiber, folic acid, and other nutrients fight against colon and breast cancers. Spinach also helps to lower damaging protein levels in the blood and can protect against high blood pressure and heart disease.

Some Delicious Meal and Desserts to make out of Spinach Detox Spinach Green Smoothie
Ingredients:

1 apple

1 cup young spinach leaves

1 lime (or orange, lemon)water as needed Instructions: Peel bananas and apple, cut into slices and put into a blender. Wash spinach leaves and add to blended. Squeeze juice of 1 lime (can be replaced with orange or lemon) into the blender. Add water as needed. Blend until smooth and serve.

HEALTHY APPLESAUCE & SPINACH BROWNIES
Ingredients:

2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate melted

1 cup all-purpose flour sifted

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 tsp salt3 large egg whites

1 /4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tbsp vanilla

3/4 cup spinach puree Spinach puree: Mix spinach with water and microwave for 2 minutes. Then blend in a food processor until smooth. Drain off excess water. In a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder (Set aside). Melt chocolate in a double boiler OR in a microwave at 50% power for about 1 minute and 30 seconds or until chocolate is melted, add the spinach puree, applesauce, oil, and vanilla (whisk until creamy); Whisk in egg whites, then brown sugar. Then add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until blended. Pour the blended ingredients in a prepared pan (9X13) and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely.

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9X13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Note: It's important to cool these brownies completely or they may have an odd taste from the spinach

Garnish (optional): You can sprinkle a little unsweetened coconut on these brownies for a bit of contrast.

Garlic butter creamed spinach salmon

INGREDIENTS:

4 salmon filets, skin on or off (your preference)kosher salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons salted butter

1 small shallot, thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced or grated

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk, or heavy cream

2 ounces cream cheese, cubed

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

4 cups fresh baby spinach juice from

1 lemon

2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving INSTRUCTIONS:

Season the salmon all over with salt and pepper.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the salmon, skin side down and cook for 2-3 minutes until the salmon is crisp. Gently flip, and continue cooking the salmon for another 2-3 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. Remove from the skillet. If desired, peel away the skin and discard.

To the same skillet, add the butter, shallots, and garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant about 2 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, coconut milk, and cream cheese. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Add the parmesan, and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, and chives. Remove from the heat and slide the salmon back into the sauce.

To serve plate each piece of salmon, then spoon the sauce over top. Serve with additional herbs.