Quinoa. Have you heard of it? It’s pronounced Keen-waa. It is actually an ancient grain and on some websites, it’s considered the “SuperGrain of the Future”. Quinoa is a complete protein source. I’m still very much of a quinoa rookie and have only made it three times, but, the more I read about it, the more I’m willing to try it out. From what I can determine, depending on the way you cook it- quinoa can either be created into an oatmeal type of breakfast, a rice pilaf, tabouli, pudding, etc.. According to this website, any recipe that calls for a grain can be substituted with quinoa! You can even make Lasagna with it.
4 more reasons to enjoy the benefits of quinoa (from this website)
1. It’s a VEGETARIAN solution, a balanced-amino-acid source of high quality protein.
2. It’s a SENIOR solution, a high-iron food that raises the hematocrit, delivers more oxygen to the brain, fights senility.
3. It’s a DIABETIC solution, a very low-glycemic-index cereal type food.
4. It’s a TASTE SOLUTION, quite delicious. I used it in a purple cabbage & romaine & onion salad, with a stalk of chopped celery & celery leaves, salt & pepper and a pinch of cumin, with ranch dressing. By the way, it MUST be purple cabbage rather than green.
Who has tried quinoa? Anybody have a good recipe they’d like to share?
NEXT UP: HEMP PROTEIN
Yet, another amazing superfood! In one packet of Hemp Protein, you get 13 grams of protein! In addition to that, hemp protein provides a good balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6! Living Harvest was kind enough to let me try out their products so that I may share what I’ve learned with you here. Always, when I research the companies, I’m more and more amazed. I’ve tried the original flavor and the Vanilla Spice. The Vanilla Spice makes a really tasty smoothie! Reminds me of the “Chai Latte” offered at coffee shops. So far, I’ve only tried the original flavor once…I added it to my oatmeal. And, although, it tasted fine, REALLY, it turned my oatmeal green and that was a bit hard to take. The chocolate chili looks intriguing but haven’t tried that one. The recipes for it combined with Chocolate Hemp Milk look flavorful. Anybody tried this combo yet? Check out these recipes that calls for Hemp Protein in smoothies, muffins, soups, etc..
Living Harvest also offers Hemp Milk which I sampled a few months back and we also enjoyed those as well. In my local health food store, I can purchase the Hemp Milk for $4 a carton and the Hemp Protein is $19.95 on the website.
So, what do you think? What are some other superfood protein sources should we try?
10 responses so far ↓
1 Al // Feb 19, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I just commented on my own page, and realized that perhaps you wouldn’t see it. Still figuring out this FB deal!
Hemp is an awesome source of Protein, no doubt! I was going to blog soon, on what I have found to be some SUPERfoods that are critical for health and performance, as a followup to my Nutrition talk….when I start, jump in, OK?
2 Fit Mommy // Feb 19, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Thanks Coach Al!!
I have your site in my google reader and since you start with an A, I see your new content immediately!
3 Wendy // Feb 19, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I came across your blog through a friend’s blog and love it. I’ve been eating quinoa for all the reasons you listed above. A fellow cyclist who stayed at my house during the Redlands Bicycle Classic last year ate quinoa religiously and showed me how to cook it so it tastes great and can be used as a base in your meal instead of rice or pasta….(roasting the seeds is key)
1) RINSE and drain quinoa seeds
2) ROAST: heat olive/canola oil in a saucepan to coat. add quinoa seeds and “roast” for a few minutes over med/high heat, stirring occasionally. Seeds may turn a light brown.
3) Add liquid of your choice (2:1 liquid/quinoa). For better flavor we added organic chicken broth (Trader Joes). I don’t recommend just cooking it in water only – more flavoring is needed!
4) Let mixture come to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 20 min or until all liquid is absorbed.
* I sometimes dice some onions and throw them in when the liquid is coming to a boil or I saute the onions first and add them whenever.
Quinoa stores great in the fridge for a least a week. I add veggies and meat for meals on the go or at home. There are lots of great recipes for quinoa that I have tried but this is the easiest that you can add lots of stuff to. Quinoa works great in salads too!
4 ttfn300 // Feb 19, 2009 at 5:06 pm
lOVE quinoa
i’ve made muffins with it, and put some in a frittata… yummy!
haven’t tried hemp protein though
5 Tiffany // Feb 19, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I will use Quinoa instead of rice in most receipes.
6 Fit Mommy // Feb 19, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Sounds like quinoa is going to be a new staple in our home. I hear you can even cook it in the rice cooker!
7 Amanda // Feb 19, 2009 at 6:11 pm
i have used quinoa but only once really, I need to use it again… it kind of freaks david out though. who knows why.
the hemp protein i have not tried, i will be investigating… i still think PB is a super food so thats as far as I’ve gotten
8 FitMom // Feb 20, 2009 at 4:40 am
PB is a super food. Although if I were in a contest between PB and Hummus, hummus would win!
9 Connie // Jun 19, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I have been eating Hemp Hearts (hulled) for the last few weeks. LOVE THEM! I purchased a brand called Rocky Mountain but am looking into another called Manitoba Harvest. My new morning routine: plain and flavored yogurt (to cut sugar) topped with blueberries, 2 T of hemp hearts, 2T of grape nuts and walnuts for crunch. Very healthy and very filling. Try it.
10 hemp vs quinoa // Mar 13, 2010 at 5:29 pm
quinoa vs hemp % protein content and absorption?
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