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Spinach, Baby

Spinach is an edible, flowering plant, native to central and southwestern Asia. A fun spinach fact: dishes made with spinach are refered to as "florentine" in honor of Catherine de'Medici, the Florence-born, 16th century queen of France who loved spinach so much that she insisted it be served at every meal! (Read more on Wikipedia.)

Spinach is highly nutritious, containing exceptionally high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, calcium, and manganese. It is also considered to be a rich vegetarian source of iron. However, the iron found in spinach is not easily absorbed by the body, partly because absorption is inhibited by calcium and fiber. To increase the bioavailability of iron from spinach and other leafy greens, be sure to include a good amount of vitamin C in your meal (think tomatoes, peppers, apples, and other fruits). (See more spinach nutrition facts on Self.com.)

Store unwashed spinach in a loosely closed plastic bag in the refrigerator.

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