It is a good idea to get more leafy green like spinach in our daily diets because there are so many benefits of eating foods like these. Here are just a few:

– spinach is a nutrient dense food. this means that although it is very low in calories, it is very high in nutrients. just one cup of spinach packs vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, dietary fiber, and copper. and, it’s a good source of selenium, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids.

– it is a versatile food. eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. in eggs, in a smoothie or creamed as a warm comfort food side

– it is good for your digestive health. the fiber, beta-carotene and vitamin C work to protect the cells of the body’s digestive tract

– studies show that eating leafy greens, like spinach are linked to keeping your brain healthy too

– spinach is a great source of iron. iron is a component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all body cells. this process is necessary for maintaining energy all day.

Spinach Salad=Delish...

Spinach Salad with Feta & Klamata Olives

Ingredients:  (serves 1, multiply for more people)

- 1 1/2 cups spinach
- 1/4 (7-8in.) cucumber sliced
- 6 klamata olives
- 2 tablespoons sliced red onions
- 1 tablespoon feta cheese
- 1 tsp. to 1 tablespoon (gluten free) balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
- fresh ground pepper to taste

1. lay spinach down on a salad plate
2. place onions and cucumbers on the spinach leaves
3. add olives and feta cheese
4. sprinkle with vinegar and olive oil and add pepper (to taste)
* I do not add any salt, the feta, olives and the vinegar give it all the flavor it needs. but if you like it more salty sprinkle some on. Also, adding some spicy pickled peppers to the mix is a good idea.

This is one fo my favorite salads. Let me know what you think in the comments section. Cheers, Chelsea

Ingredients of the Gluten Free Pizza Crust:

Wet Ingredients:

• –1/3 cup (70mL) milk, any unsweetened variety will do including rice and soy
• –2 teaspoons apple cider or white vinegar
• –2 teaspoons Olive Oil

Dry Ingredients:

• –1 1/3 cup rice flour (300mL) (using brown rice flour makes a crispier more rustic crust, using white flour will make a smoother fluffier crust)
• –1 cup (235mL) corn starch
• –1 tablespoon yeast
• –2 teaspoon xanthum gum (this I for the texture, can be substituted for guar gum)
• –1 teaspoon sea salt
• –1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• –1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• –1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1. In a small sauce pot. Heat milk until warm, not hot. You should be able to dip your finger in the milk without it burning.

2. In a mixing bowl add the yeast and slowly pour in the warm milk as you stir. Slowly pouring and mixing makes the yeast dissolves quite nicely. The just set it aside, giving the yeast time to activate.

3. In another mixing bowl mix the remaining dry ingredients, the flour, corn starch, gum and spices.

4. By now the yeast should be activated in the milk. You will know it is ready to move on if there are some bubbles forming in the milk.

5. Add the vinegar and the olive oil to the milk.

6. In the large mixing bowl with the dry ingredients create a little bowl with your fingers so that that you can pour the milk mixture into the bowl you made with the dry ingredients.

7. Pour the milk mixture in the bowl of dry ingredients. Now you can mix the dry and wet ingredients together.

8. Once combined it will be sticky. Before you roll the dough out in a pan, be sure to do two things. 1) spray the pan or baking sheet with non-stick spray or grease the pan with olive oil or butter 2) dust the sticky dough with a bit of the flour so that it doesn’t stick to your hands when you pick it up.

9. Now all you have to do is spread out your pizza dough on your pan. Enjoy