Quin-whaaaat?

Does anyone else ever watch Ellie Krieger’s Food Network show, Healthy Appetite? She is always whipping up healthy fare, and incorporating ingredients that tend to be on the unusual side. One ingredient that she frequently includes is Quinoa (pronounced Keen-Wah).

As a huge fan of grains, especially guilt-free grains, I was excited to learn that this superfood is an excellent source of both fiber and protein. In fact, it is considered to be a complete protein because it contains all eight essential amino acids. Self even calls it one of the 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss.

The best part? It actually TASTES good and is easy to prepare.

You can find quinoa at your local health-food store or Fresh and Easy. Here are a couple ideas to incorporate quinoa into your diet:

• Use it in a stir-fry in place of rice
• Eat it like oatmeal for breakfast; just add your favorite dried fruit or juice
• Fill bell peppers with cheese, veggies, ground turkey and quinoa for delish stuffed peppers
• Mix with lentils, veggies and a lemon vinaigrette for a Mediterranean-inspired salad
• Use it instead of rice in cream of chicken soup

Don’t you love it when things are delicious AND good for you?