#10 WIAW Quantum of Quinoa

Homemade Toasted Quinoa Cereal

Quinoa has been in most of my latest blog posts one way or another and feel like I could keep going for a while.  It's ability to cook in various liquids for something sweet, spicy, savory, or a mix of all three is very appealing.

From homemade quinoa cereal, to cool quinoa curry salad, to no-bake quinoa almond cookies, and of course one pot Mexican quinoa and black beans, I just flat out like the stuff. I still want to try a baked quinoa casserole and quinoa pudding; stay tuned.

But why not?  It's not like I'm infatuated with some unhealthy crap at a fast food chain or from a cellophane wrapped package.  It's quinoa, "keen"....and...."wah"....so good, so nutritious, so easy to cook.  Have you used or tried it yet?  If not, pick some up and use one of my easy and healthy recipes for starters; you'll be hooked.

Although I shouldn't be, I'm bothered by how many people still have no clue what quinoa (and many other good for you foods) is. I say the word at work and receive a lot of blank, confused stares. It doesn't help that I'm the only guy who requested to have a standing desk and who eats a breakfast of dehydrated okra with a small dish of spicy veggies and celery stick "utensils."

Whatev....if being healthy is weird, then put a crown on my head and call me King of weird.  Now, let's see What I Ate Wednesday...


Happy WIAW, Everyone!!

Breakfast – Cold sprouted quinoa cooked in coconut milk; baby bok choy; celery; dehydrated heirloom tomato slices; French Press coffee with nutmeg and vanilla extract

Snack – Handful of roasted pumpkin seeds and two bags of black tea with stevia

Lunch – Grass-fed sirloin and veggie stew on top of an organic Jersey sweet potato; organic green apple; whole wheat pretzel; celery; 2 PB Pumpkin Protein Cookies; green tea with stevia

Snack –Green tea mixed with an herbal peppermint tea; great for after eating!

Dinner – Leftover cold quinoa and veggie salad with steamed Brussels sprouts on the side; my usual squash and fruit puree with vanilla whey protein powder, unsweetened almond milk, and stevia; crunchy toasted quinoa cereal with cashews; 0% plain Chobani Greek yogurt; homemade Chocolate Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dip (recipe will come soon) spread on rice cakes…plus a little more right from the spoon!

I didn't have this, but it's Kelley's favorite meal she has about twice a week.  Annie's Homegrown Organic Whole Wheat Shells mixed with green onions, red pepper flakes (awesome!), and creamy goat cheese mixed in.  It smells so good every time she makes it!

Ok, you could say I've gone a little quinoa crazy, but its versatility as a super healthy treat or savory meal is hard to pass up.

Q: Do you ever feel like you have been stuck in a food rut with a certain ingredient? How did you bust out of it, or are you still in it now?

I wouldn't call my quinoa dishes being "stuck in a rut"...at least not yet; you just can't beat those translucent pearls of complete protein.  Oh well...way better than any fast food!