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Health & Fitness

Crazy For Quinoa

A Love letter...

Dear Quinoa,
  I am so glad I discovered you a few years ago. It was love at first bite. Since that day I have tried hundreds of recipes with you as the star of the show...
Quinoa in brownies,soups,salads,side dishes, and even as a filler in meatloaf.
  I love your texture and taste. I love your high quality protein (wow! You contain all nine essential amino acids.) You are even gluten free and low glycemic (so you don't spike my blood sugar). You are high in folic acid and other B vitamins, rich in manganese,magnesium,phosphorus,copper, iron and zinc. And as if that wasn't enough.....You are high in fiber and low in fat!
   Even NASA recognizes your exceptional nutritional qualities and includes you  on long space missions. 
  Here's to many more delicious recipes.... Shawn

Those interested in more nutritional info here are a couple of links:
8 Health Benefits of Quinoa  
Quinoa Health Benefits and Nutritional Information
Quinoa Facts

Crazy for Quinoa, The Big Debate

 I must admit when I set out to write this blog I just meant to give a few nutritional facts and benefits, give you links to recipes and be done with it.

  It appears as though, I am not the only one with passion for quinoa. There is quite a debate over quinoa right now. I had no clue until I dug in for my research for this blog.  
  2013 has been named International Year of Quinoa
  There is also a big debate over the demand for quinoa and the damage it causes the countries that grow it. (Bolivia and Peru) 

Articles such as  Can vegans stomach the unpalatable truth about quinoa? and  Quinoa Fever Raises Prices, Damaging Fragile Ecosystem

In my opinion the guardian article seemingly attacks vegans. I am not a vegan and I am absolutely enamored with quinoa. I guess it's my fault people fight over the quinoa growing land in Bolivia....or not... maybe my love of quinoa is helping to send a Bolivian child to school or college. Here are articles and blogs written by Bolivians in response to these claims:

Quinoa A Perspective From Bolivia
The Quinoa Debate

and a couple more links:

An Open Letter to NPR Regarding Quinoa and Their Myths
Alter Eco Foods


  I wont push any assumptions on the reader. It's for you to consider or not.
I was shocked at the debate over one of my favorite foods but after reading both sides of the coin I choose to still eat quinoa.
It is simply put... a nutritional powerhouse!

Now for the Good Stuff.... Recipes and Links

My favorite Quinoa Blog : Cooking Quinoa. net  Lots of great recipes. 

My two new favorite quinoa recipes:

Mayan Spiced Brownies
 Rich fudgey spicy brownies. These are dense and gooey - almost like a fudge. Sweet and rich, these are also packed with healthy fiber, cocoa, and sprouted quinoa and Flax seeds. The recipe calls for red quinoa ( I found it at Marjie's Gluten Free Pantry) The white quinoa is common even at VG's

Quinoa and Veggie Meatloaf Muffins 
Lot's of veggies here. You could modify it some to fit your tastes.Such as all ground turkey or all lean beef or different veggies. Here is what I used:

  • 1 pound ground turkey (check labels some are higher in fat than lean ground beef) I used some that had 8 grams of fat per 4 oz
  • 1 pound lean ground beef 
  • 1/2 small zucchini 
  • 3 stalks celery
  • 1/2 yellow summer squash 
  • small red onion
  • 1 c shredded carrot
  • 1/2 large red bell pepper
  • sometimes I put chopped fresh spinach (if I have it) or fresh basil
  • 4 egg white
  • 1 c cooked quinoa
  • 1 tbs granulated garlic
  • 2 tbs chili powder
  • 1 tsp thyme (dried)
  • 1 tsp cumin

Cook quinoa according to package directions, chop all veggies very fine.
Put all ingredients in a big bowl and mix together.
place mixture in a 12 cup greased muffin pan. divide mix evenly among muffin cups. Serves 6 people. I like to make a double batch and freeze for quick meals. Using My Fitness Pal the approx nutrient value for 2 muffins are:
(again.... I used meat with 8 grams of fat per 4oz. You can get it leaner)

344 Calories
11 g of carbs
14 g of fat
27 g of protein
162 mg of sodium ( I did not add salt to the mix but save it for the table)
3 g of fiber


Any reader quinoa fans are welcome to share recipes :D










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