Popeye Won Olive Oyl's Heart with Spinach!

Popeye won Olive Oyl's heart with spinach!  And you can have a winning heart if you add spinach to your nutrition plan! 

Shortly after my December 2011 mastectomy I developed high blood pressure. The wear and tear on my body was too stressful for my heart.  My doctor recommened a low sodium, high fiber diet with a focus on leafy greens.  I've maintained a healthy diet for several years, but recently I decided to incorporate more spinach into my recipes.

I add organic spinach, instead of lettuce, to sandwiches. Spinach is great in an omelette.  There are several ways of making a spinach salad (will share ideas in a separate post). 

I love Italian food, and learned how to substitute spinach instead of meat. One of my favorite recipes is Spinach Pasta Sauce over gluten-free spaghetti noodles.  Here's a low-sodium, low-fat, high in nutrition and fiber alternative to the traditional meat pasta sauce.

INGREDIENTS: crushed garlic (according to your taste buds), two diced tomatoes, chopped fresh oregano, chopped fresh sage, 1 diced onion, 2 cups red wine (a good drinking red wine NOT a cooking wine), one diced bell pepper, 1 cup diced mushrooms, one can tomato paste (I prefer low-sodium), three cups spinach, 2 cups water, pepper to taste. (NOTE: I use organic products when available.)

1. In skillet, sautee the crushed garlic, diced tomato, onion, diced bell pepper, sliced mushrooms.
2. Add the fresh oregano, fresh sage, pepper (optional), water and wine.
3. Simmer on low heat for 30 - 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the spinach, and continue cooking on low heat for 5 minutes.

Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta.  I recommend sprinkling with fresh parmesan or mancheno cheese.

Oh! And you're probably wondering how's my blood pressure?  It's back to normal with a daily average of 114/64 (taking no meds)!