{"id":7883,"date":"2025-05-01T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7883"},"modified":"2025-05-01T13:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T13:30:00","slug":"live-whole-health-270-in-season-now-spinach-and-strawberries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7883","title":{"rendered":"Live Whole Health #270: In season now, spinach and strawberries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2025-05-01T13:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the days are getting warmer and brighter. Spring is here and it brings a wealth of fresh produce, with two standout stars: spinach and strawberries.<\/p>\n

Spinach is a versatile, leafy green that is delicious raw or cooked and is a source of iron, folate and vitamin K. These nutrients support bone health and red blood cell production.<\/p>\n

Strawberries are packed with vitamin C and anthocyanins, making them antioxidant powerhouses. They can help protect cells from oxidative stress and support your immune system.<\/p>\n

Immunity, health and red blood cell function depends on iron<\/h2>\n

Did you know that consuming vitamin-C-rich foods like strawberries\u2014along with plant-based sources of iron, like spinach\u2014enhances the absorption of non-heme iron? Spinach and strawberries are a delicious and complementary pairing that together support immunity, heart health and red blood cell function.<\/p>\n

Eating in season means better flavor and often better value. Try adding a handful of spinach to your favorite strawberry smoothie recipe, topping your favorite fish with a homemade strawberry salsa and a side of lightly sauteed spinach, or making a strawberry spinach salad.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Check out this 4-minute video by VHA\u2019s healthy teaching kitchen to learn how to make a delicious and quick strawberry spinach salad.<\/p>\n

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Hungry for more?<\/h2>\n

Hungry for more information, tips and ideas for how to have a healthy relationship with\u00a0Food and Drink<\/a>\u00a0and fuel your own wellness journey? Check out this\u00a0Introduction to Food and Drink for Whole Health<\/a>,\u00a0Healthy Tips on Eating Out and Grocery Shopping<\/a>, or this\u00a0Veteran\u2019s experience with healthy cooking classes at her local VA<\/a>. For more recipes, please visit VA\u2019s\u00a0Nutrition and Food Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Recipe<\/h2>\n

Strawberry Walnut Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette<\/p>\n

Prep:\u00a0 10 minutes | Cook:\u00a0 0 minutes | Total:\u00a0 10 minutes<\/p>\n

Yield:\u00a0 6 servings | Serving Size:\u00a0 1\/6 of recipe<\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/h3>\n

Vinaigrette dressing:<\/p>\n

1\/3 c olive oil<\/p>\n

\u00bc c red wine vinegar<\/p>\n

1 tsp Splenda or sugar<\/p>\n

1 tsp Dijon mustard<\/p>\n

1 tsp minced garlic<\/p>\n

Salad<\/h3>\n

1 bag (10 oz mixed baby greens or spinach)<\/p>\n

1 cup strawberries, sliced<\/p>\n

\u00bd cup crumbled blue or feta cheese<\/p>\n

1\/3 cup chopped walnuts<\/p>\n

Directions<\/h3>\n
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  1. Add the oil, vinegar, sweetener, mustard and garlic to a small bowl and whisk until well mixed.<\/li>\n
  2. Add the spinach, strawberries, cheese and walnuts to a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss to combine.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Recipe Notes<\/h3>\n