Spinach Sensations

Nutrition Information

Spinach is fat-free, saturated fat-free, cholesterol-free, low calorie, high in dietary fiber, high in vitamin A, high in vitamin C, high in iron, high in folate, and a good source of magnesium.

Selecting and Storing Spinach 

1. Choose fresh, crisp, green bunches with no evidence of insect damage.
2. Store spinach loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel.
3. Refrigerate in a plastic bag and use within 3 to 5 days.

Oxalic acid and Spinach

The oxalic acid in spinach binds with iron, which inhibits iron absorption. You can improve iron absorption from spinach by eating it with foods that enhance iron absorption, such as foods rich in vitamin C.

Serving Suggestions

1. Add spinach to a pasta or rice recipe.
2. Enjoy a spinach salad with a variety of ingredients.

References

1. Spinach - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2. Top 10 ways to enjoy Spinach, Fruits and Veggies more matters 
3. Spinach: Nutrition. Selection. Storage. Fruits and Veggies more matters 

January 17, Celebrating Spinach and Popeye's Debut

Popeye's History

On January 16, 1929, Popeye first appeared in the comic strip "Thimble Theatre" by cartoonist Elzie Crisler Segar. Originally, "Thimble Theatre" was created in 1919 and featured characters like Olive Oyl and her family. Popeye was introduced as a minor character in a storyline ten years later, but he quickly became immensely popular, eventually becoming the main character of the strip. His debut in "Thimble Theatre" is considered the official birth of Popeye as a cultural icon.

Nutrition Information

Spinach is fat-free, saturated fat-free, cholesterol-free, low calorie, high in dietary fiber, high in vitamin A, high in vitamin C, high in iron, high in folate, and a good source of magnesium.

Selecting and Storing Spinach 

1. Choose fresh, crisp, green bunches with no evidence of insect damage.
2. Store spinach loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel.
3. Refrigerate in a plastic bag and use within 3 to 5 days.

Oxalic acid and Spinach

The oxalic acid in spinach binds with iron, which inhibits iron absorption. You can improve the absorption of iron from spinach by eating it with foods that enhance iron absorption, such as foods rich in vitamin C.

References

1. Spinach - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2. Top 10 ways to enjoy Spinach, Fruits and Veggies More Matters 

October Food, Nutrition, and Health Events

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety, and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is updated daily and includes weekly and daily events. To view the entire Newsletter online click here. 

October Monthly Events

October Health, Nutrition, and Food Events

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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National Dental Hygiene Month 

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National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

National Liver Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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Food Events

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UNICEF

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National Pizza Month 

National Popcorn Poppin' Month 

National Pork Month 

National Pretzel Month

National Seafood Month

National Spinach-Lovers Month

Co-op Awareness Month 

National Eat Better, Eat Together Month

Fair Trade Month

Gourmet Adventures Month

National Go on a Field Trip Month 

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National Restaurant Hospitality Month

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month 

National Animal Safety Protection Month

July 29, National Lasagna Day Featuring Spinach Tofu Lasagna

Spinach Tofu Lasagna
Makes six to eight servings. 
Adapted from Animals Deserve Absolute Protection Today and Tomorrow (ADAPTT.)  ADAPTT believes all animals have an inherent right to be free and live completely unfettered by human dominance. 

Ingredients
1/2 lb. lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
1 lb. soft tofu
1 lb. firm tofu
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. minced basil
4 cups vegan tomato sauce

Directions 
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside on a towel. Do not let them stick together. If this happens, run warm water over them to separate.

Preheat oven to 350ᵒ degrees F.

Squeeze the spinach as dry as possible and set aside. Place the tofu, soy milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, and basil in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of noodles (use about one-third). Follow with a layer of half of the tofu filling and half of the spinach. Continue in the same order using half of the remaining tomato sauce and noodles and all of the remaining tofu filling and spinach. End with the remaining noodles, covered by the remaining tomato sauce.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

To encourage healthy eating, prepare and present
the foods with the same attention to detail,
as if you were a pastry chef.

- Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND

October, National Spinach Lovers Month

Nutrition Information

Spinach is fat-free; saturated fat-free; cholesterol free; low calorie; high in dietary fiber; high in vitamin A; high in vitamin C; high in iron, high in folate; and a good source of magnesium.

Selecting and Storing Spinach 

1. Choose fresh, crisp, green bunches with no evidence of insect damage.
2. Store spinach loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel.
3. Refrigerate in a plastic bag and use within 3 to 5 days.

Oxalic acid and Spinach

The oxalic acid in spinach binds with iron, which inhibits iron absorption. You can improve the absorption of iron from spinach by eating it with foods that enhance iron absorption; such as foods rich in vitamin C.

Serving Suggestions

1. Add spinach to a pasta or rice recipe.
2. Enjoy a spinach salad with a variety of ingredients.

References

1. Spinach - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2. Top 10 ways to enjoy Spinach, Fruits and Veggies more matters 
3. Spinach: Nutrition . Selection . Storage. Fruits and Veggies more matters
4. 40 Flavor-Packed Ways to Use Fresh Spinach, Cooking Light

October 2011 Wellness News

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is up-dated daily and includes weekly and daily events. To view the entire Newsletter online click here or subscribe to Wellness News by adding your email address to the link on the left.
 

October Monthly Events
Weekly and Daily Events can be found in the Wellness Newsletter.

 October Highlights
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 Food Day, October 24, 2011

 National Disability Employment Awareness Month

UNICEF

 Tackling Hunger Month
 Halloween Safety Month
Food Events

 Vegetarian Month  
 National Apple Month 
 National Bake and Decorate Month
 Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
 Cookbook Month
 National Caramel Month 
 National Chili Month
 National Cookie Month
 National Country Ham Month
 National Dessert Month
 National Pasta Month
 National Pickled Peppers Month
 National Pizza Month
 National Popcorn Poppin' Month
 National Pork Month 
 National Pretzel Month
 National Rice Month
 Sausage Month
 National Seafood Month
 National Spinach-Lovers Month
 Co op Awareness Month
 National Eat Better, Eat Together Month
 Celiac Disease Awareness Month
 Christmas Seal Campaign (10/1-12/31)
 Dyslexia Awareness Month 
 Emotional Wellness Month
 Global Diversity Awareness Month

 Health Literacy Month
 Learning Disability Awareness Month
 Long Term Care Planning Month 
 National Chiropractic Month
 National Dental Hygiene Month
 National Depression Education & Awareness Month
 National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
 National Liver Awareness Month
 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
 National Crime Prevention Month  
 National Cyber Security Awareness Month

 Financial Planning Month
 National Medical Librarian Month 
 National Organize Your Medical Information Month
 National Orthodontic Health Month
 National Physical Therapy Month
National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
 National Work and Family Month
   Positive Attitude Month
 Talk About Prescriptions Month
 Workplace Politics Awareness Month
 World Blindness Awareness Month
 World Menopause Month
National Kitchen and Bath Month 

National Photographer Appreciation Month
National Restaurant Hospitality Month

National Animal Safety Protection Month  

October 2010 Wellness News

Wellness News is your resource for current Health, Nutrition and Food topics and events. Subjects encourage awareness and inspire ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. 
 

October Monthly Events
Weekly and Daily Events can be found in the Wellness Newsletter.

 October Highlights

National Breast Cancer Awareness

Disability Employment Awareness

World Blindness Awareness
Children's Magazine Month
Christmas Seal Campaign
Dyslexia Awareness
Energy Management is a Family Affair
Global Diversity Awareness
Head Start Awareness
Chiropractic Month
Depression Education & Awareness
Domestic Violence Awareness
National Down Syndrome

National Liver Awareness
National Medical Librarians
National Orthodontic Health
National Physical Therapy
National Spina Bifida Awareness
Positive Attitude
Domestic Violence Awareness
National Crime Prevention
National Cyber Security

Halloween Safety
National Apple Month
Caffeine Addition Recovery Month
Celiac Disease Awareness
Co-op Awareness

Eat Better, Eat Together

Go Hog Wild Eat Country Ham
Health Literacy Month
Long Term Care Planning Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
National Cookbook Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Popcorn Poppin' Month
National Pork Month
National Pretzel Month

National Seafood Month
Sausage Month
Spinach Lovers Month

Tackling Hunger Month
Vegetarian Month
Adopt A Shelter Dog Month
National Go On A Field Trip Month
Nutrition, Health & Wellness Field Trips
National Work and Family Month