Eat this and be healthy.

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is an ancient food that is not yet well known in North America.  It has been cultivated in South America's Andes since 3000 BC and has been a staple food for millions of native inhabitants.

The Quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron.  It's a good source of vitamin E and several B vitamins.  Quinoa contains nearly a perfect balance of all 8 essencial amino acids needed for tissue development and is considered to be a complete protein due to the presence of all 8 essencial amino acids.

So pretty much Quinoa is a rock star in the nutritional food world and you should eat some... now.  The texture is odd at first, crunchy when you're expecting it to feel more like rice in your mouth.  But, if properly seasoned you'll forget all about it.  It's one of the best things you could possibly put in your body.  It's not processed or treated with scary pesticides.  It's good for your heart, your bones, your muscles and blood.  So, what are you waiting for?  Go to the store and get some...  Your body will thank you!   

Some of my favorite ways of preparing Quinoa are as follows:

1 c. Quinoa, rinsed

1/2 c. vegetable broth

1/4 c. fresh squeezed orange juice

1/4 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/2 c. chopped pineapple

1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro

Bring vegetable broth, orange juice and lemon juice to boil.  Add Quinoa and continue to boil for 15 minutes.  Once the liquid is absorbed add pineapple and cilantro.  Then serve.  

Doesn't that sound easy?  It's a great side dish when paired with seafood or chicken.  The great part of Quinoa as a side dish is that you can add virtually anything to it.  Substitute the orange juice for white wine.  The cilantro for Italian parsley, the pineapple for Parmesan cheese and add a bit of garlic and you have scampi.  Oh, and if you cook the Quinoa plain you can add butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and it's GREAT with pork chops, or turkey.  

Enjoy and live healthy!