Q is for Quinoa & Quotes

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

vegan_goodness

I was going to make a joke about kumquats, but I realized that there’s only a q in the middle and that it actually started with k… oh dear.

Hello quinoa.

quinoa1 [source]

Joey says that quinoa reminds him of little bugs, but I like it! Quinoa is an awesome gluten free seed that is actually a complete protein (meaning that it contains all 9 essential amino acids). It tastes a bit nutty, fluffs up like rice and has a wee bit of a crunch – talk about complex texture. I love that quinoa takes less time than rice to cook (usually about 15-20 minutes with 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water/broth) and I only need a small amount to feel full.

Quinoa is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed at all meals! Most health food stores sell quinoa flakes, which is an awesome alternative to oatmeal in the morning. It cooks very quickly and is a great vehicle for all of your favourite toppings.

Quinoa makes a great side dish or salad for lunches and dinners. I recently made a yummy red quinoa salad from the Gluten Free Vegan cookbook.SANY2311

Such a filling lunch! I usually have some sort of refreshing quinoa salad when I visit Camros. SANY2255Delicious! Quinoa also works well in baked goods, like in these healthy cookies filled with love. SANY1757 If you’re a quinoa newbie, have a look in the bulk section of your local health store and pick up a little bit to try. It comes in a variety of colours, with the most popular being the yellowy-beige one. Be sure to rinse your quinoa very well before cooking. You can use it in any of the above ways, as a simple side dish cooked with some veggies in broth, or utilized wherever you would normally use rice. If you enjoy it, you can also find quinoa pasta, quinoa bread as well as quinoa flour.

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In other news, how is it going with the taking care of yourself business? What have you done for yourself this week?

I’m happy to report that after going to the dentist and an appointment at Red Tent Sisters I came home and had a nap, made some amazing pasta sauce, went to an awesome dance class and had tea with my best friend. Cooking, dance and good friends makes for the best therapy ever.

Q is also for quotes, so here’s one I have posted at my desk at work:

As you move towards the dream, the dream moves toward you. 
–Julia Cameron

I am holding this close as my mantra as of late. And this is the song we danced to tonight…

What’s your favourite quote?

10 comments:

Meg's Gut said...

One of my fav quotes is: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams - live the life you've imagined.
What is quinoa paste?

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Quinoa! Fabulous GF grain.


My favorite quote:


"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about those who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it."

— Harvey MacKay

Unknown said...

I love quinoa!
My new favorite quote (I get new favorites all the time) is
"Life itself is the proper binge."
Julia Child

Lauren said...

I love quinoa!! I just bought quinoa cookies, they are sooo good!!! A have so many quotes I love, I couldn't pick just one!

healthy ashley said...

I love your blog!

Quinoa is awesome!!

Seitan Said Dance said...

I really like that song. I accidentally found it while searching for Imogen Heap B-sides (she does the backing vocals) and have surprised myself by how often I end up with it on repeat.

LauraA said...

How do you rinse your quinoa? The first time I bought it I had some trouble...the little grains fell right through the holes in my strainer! Also, it seems to absorb a lot of water when being rinsed (as in, after rinsing, it was a soggy mush). Is this normal?

Yes, I am quinoa challenged...

Pure2Raw Twins said...

I love quinoa. I remember the first time I had it about a few years ago and have been hooked on it ever since. I think everyone should eat more quinoa.... great addition to any diet. I love your quote. I have too many favorite quotes to list. :)

Ashley Gibson said...

Love the quotes VG & GG! Thanks for sharing. I will have to write those in my journal. I like having them for inspiration as well as for openings/closings for my WW meetings!

Laura, my quinoa challenged buddy... I rinse mine in a fine-mesh strainer and that works fine. As for a soggy mush... I can't think of why that would happen! Unless you had quinoa flakes rather than quinoa?

Meg's Gut - I think you read quinoa pastA as quinoa paste...

thewwchick said...

I love quinoa! I had it with my dinner this evening. A nice switch from rice, pasta or mashed potatoes. :)

Favorite quote:

"Have you noticed, that the more you hurry, the slower you go?

The more you wait, the longer it takes?

The more you worry, the less you dream?

But the more you live, love, and laugh....the more you live, love, and laugh."

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