Exploring the Wide World of Quinoa

Yesterday was a fun day of cullinary exploration. We were low on Hgroceries and I had to get creative. And wow! I was very pleasantly surprised by what I was able to create. I made what I would call a Quinoa and fresh cucumber salad. If you have never tried Quinoa you are in for a pleasant/healthy surprise. I didn't know how to accurately describe quinoa to someone who has never experienced it so I googgled a good definition. It is actuaally pronounced "Keen-wa". Here is some info about quinoa taken from ;

http://www.dietriffic.com/2010/06/24/what-is-quinoa/

Melanie · Healthy Eating · 43 Comments

What is Quinoa?

With so much talk about avoiding carbohydrates these days, it would be easy to overlook quinoa.

But, that would be a mistake… a big one!

For those of you who are wondering, it’s pronounced “KEEN-wah“.

If you’re looking for a highly nutritious carbohydrate, that’s not only going to help you stay lean, but will also maximize your energy levels, look no further… quinoa really does have it all!

So, what does quinoa taste like?
The taste and texture of quinoa is a bit like brown rice crossed with oatmeal. It’s fluffy, creamy, crunchy and somewhat nutty, all rolled into one.

The great thing is, it can be prepared in so many different ways, making it extremely versatile.

Quinoa is commonly thought of as a grain, probably because of how we use it, however it’s actually a relative of leafy green vegetables, like spinach and Swiss chard.

Nutritional qualities
A cup of quinoa will give you around 127 calories, 2 grams of fat, 23.4 grams of carbohydrates (2 of those being fibre), and 4.5 grams of protein.

In fact, it has a pretty similar nutritional profile to that of brown rice, except it’s slightly higher in overall protein content.

So, qunioa is a really great option if you’re trying to maintain an active lifestyle.

What is Quinoa?

4 health benefits of quinoa

1. Complete source of protein
Unlike most grains, which contain an incomplete source of protein (you need to pair them with another food to make the meal complete), quinoa provides the full spectrum of nine essential amino acids.

So, it’s a really great choice, particularly if you’re a vegetarian or vegan.

2. Great for cardiovascular health
Quinoa is especially high in is magnesium, which is important for maintaining good cardiovascular health.

Magnesium helps to relax the blood vessels, reducing the rates of hypertension, heart disease, or heart arrhythmias.

3. Provides antioxidant support
Regular intake of antioxidants is so important for warding off the damaging effects of free radicals, which we encounter on a daily basis.

Quinoa does a wonderful job of boosting your antioxidant levels — being high in both manganese and copper, which help to promote a healthy immune system, and ensure that red blood cells remain in top condition.

4. Reduces the risk of gallstones
Since quinoa is high in fibre, it helps keep the digestive system running smoothly, and can also help reduce your chance of getting gallstones.

A study, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, found that those eating foods mostly rich in insoluble fibre, had a 17% lower risk of getting gallstones.

So, if you love your carbs, but would really like to find a healthier option to plain old white pasta or rice, quinoa is a great substitute for those higher-carb foods.

Ok, so now that you know a little more about the amazing super carb, Quinoa, check out how I prepared it.

Quinoah & Fresh Cucumber Salad

1 cup of quinoa

2 cups of water

(prepare quinoa as directed on box)

2 tsp of fresh lemon juice

2 tsp of olive oil

Sea Salt

1 fresh cucumber (diced)

1 cup of stir fried tofu

5 leaves of fresh mint (minced)

5 leaves of fresh basil (minced)

Lite soy sauce

Prepare quinoa and add lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt (to taste) and diced cucumbers. Stir fry the cubed and washed tofu in a tbs. of olive oil and two tbs. of lite soy sauces. Let cool and add to quinoa mixture. Allow to cool and serve. Salt or season to taste. Enjoy a guilt-free and nutritiously filling meal.