Fabulous Food of the Month: Quinoa

Fabulous Food of the Month: Quinoa

By Amanda Moxley Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is my favorite grain next to sweet brown rice. I love quinoa because it's light and versatile. You can cook it for dinner as a grain or soup, as a salad for lunch or a porridge for breakfast. It is a super food packed with high quality vegetarian protein as well as a rich complex carbohydrate offering you hours of energy, satisfaction and good feelings. The World Health Organization has rated the quality of protein in quinoa at least equivalent to that in milk. Quinoa offers more iron than other grains and contains high levels of potassium and riboflavin, as well as other B vitamins: B6, niacin, and thiamin. It is also a good source of magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese, and has some folate (folic acid.) What I love the very most about quinoa is that it's an ancient grain from the highly evolved Inca Indians in South America. Quinoa was the mainstay for the Inca's while they were building and living in Machu Pichu which is one of the most spiritual places on the planet. I believe that food is energy and that what we eat we become. Eating an ancient food (quinoa has been cultivated continuously for more than 5,000 years) like quinoa makes us wiser, stronger and more connected to the earth, stars and the earth's history. I'd rather feel strong, wise, whole and connected after I eat rather than dull, tired, anxious, bloated and spacey which is how processed food makes me feel. How do you want to feel after you eat? Where to buy Quinoa? Since quinoa is relatively new on the American market, the best place to find it is at health food stores or speciality stores, ask your grocer to carry quinoa. Quinoa is more expensive than most grains. However, during cooking, it increases about three to four times in volume, so you get reasonable value for your money. Storage Store quinoa like other grains, in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place. © 2008 Amanda Moxley You may reproduce this article as long as you include the following information in its entirety: Amanda Moxley, "The Radiant Health Coach™", publishes the energizing and inspiring "Radiant Health E-zine" - every other Thursday for healthy people everywhere. Learn how to lose weight naturally, amplify your energy and feel confident in your body. In only 3 steps you can create the body and life you desire without dieting or going to extremes. Go to www.RadiantHealthCoach.com Click here => www.RadiantHealthCoach.com