SPINACH SPINACH SPINACH

I LOVE SPINACH. It is probably my favorite green...it's hard to say for sure because, well I love anything green, but spinach is high up on my favorites list for sure. Whether it be a fruit, nut, and spinach salad, or a fruit and spinach smoothie, I will devour it. To make it even better, it is one the most nutrient dense veggies out there. YAY!

Firstly, 1 cup of spinach has 20% of your daily fiber needs. Fiber as always, aids in digestion (preventing constipation), maintains low blood sugar levels, and curbs that appetite reducing the likelihood of overeating. Spinach is also loaded with flavonoids which acts as an anti-cancer! Got arthritis, achy muscles or joints? The neoxanthin and violaxanthin, found in large amounts in spinach, acts as an anti-inflammatory. Now for the Antioxidants that keep our immune systems happy and healthy. Spinach holds vitamin C, & E, beta-carotene, manganese, zinc, selenium, lutein, & zeaxanthin (lutein & zeaxanthin protect the eye specifically). Not only that but spinach is super rich in vitamin A which specifically fights infection, maintains healthy skin, and protects and strengthens mucus membranes, respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts. Lastly, don't forget the vitamin K that keeps our bones strong and contributes GREATLY to maintaining a healthy nervous system and active brain function.

Last year my husband embarked on the goal to run the Boston Marathon (unofficially). So he trained and trained and we flew our little family of 4 out to big bad Boston last April. Boston was a BLAST! I loved every second of that week long vacation. Such a beautiful place with so much to do and see! My husband, Adam, has family out there who put us up for the week, and fed our faces with a lot of delicious food. His aunt is quite the cook! I was just starting to get big into cooking and eating clean so I absorbed as much as I could. This recipe was adapted from the meal she fed us the night before the marathon- CARB LOAD TIME!

Chicken Andouille Sausage, Spinach, & Goat Cheese Penne

Ingredients:

1/2 c diced onion

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 bag of baby spinach

1 package of 4 chicken or turkey sausage (I used Trader Joes chicken andouille sausage for a little spice but I have substituted chicken/mozzarella sausage and others before)

1 package of organic whole wheat penne

4-8 oz of goat cheese (can use feta or other white crumbled cheese)

2 tbsp of olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

This is my favorite type of sausage to use because it adds just a touch of spice, but the nearest Trader Joes is 2 hours away in Vegas so we stock up while we are down there but use other types when we are out of this type.

Directions: Boil pasta according to directions on box. While penne is boiling throw olive oil, onion, and garlic over medium heat.

Cook about 3 minutes until onions are barely translucent then add your sliced up sausage and spinach to the pan and cook until meat is warmed all the way through and spinach is withered. Then toss in your cooked wheat penne and crumble in your goat cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. If you feel it's a little dry now is the time to toss in a little extra oil.

This dish is simple and versatile. I make it with spinach most frequently but I have also substituted Kale or Chard for the spinach. I've added halved cherry tomatoes. Used feta cheese instead of goat cheese, whole wheat elbows instead of penne, tried multiple types of sausages. Possibilities are endless and the dish has always come out Divine!

ENJOY! And a special thanks to Holly for the recipe!