Quin- what?

It's not uncommon for people to wonder how on Earth to pronounce Quinoa!   So, here you go, "KEEN-Wah".  Now, want to eat some???

You may remember my post about the health benefits from this wonder food, .  That's a great recipe (in fact, go back to the start of the blog- I have a lot of recipes!). I have a few boards on Pinterest to keep recipes for my friends on the Challenge and those who cleanse every 90 days.  This is one I found today and it combines my three favorite things:  Garlic, Ginger and Soy Sauce (I only use Bragg's Liquid Aminos).  You cannot go wrong with a recipe that has these three delicious treats!  This recipe was no different!  Trust me.  Make it.  You will thank me later!

QUINOA VEGGIE FRIED RICE

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided I used garlic infused grapeseed oil
• 2 large eggs, beaten I used one egg and one egg white
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 zucchini, chopped didn't have any...  was still delicious!
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup frozen peas didn't have this either...
• 2 carrots, peeled and grated not a fan, so omitted these, too
• 3 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
• 3 tbsp. soy sauce I use Bragg's Liquid Aminoa
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Sriracha, for serving nope, didn't have this, but did add some chopped chicken breast

Instructions:

1. Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a medium skillet over low heat. Add eggs and fry until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side, flipping only once. Let cool before dicing into small pieces.
2. Heat remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring often, until onions become translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add mushrooms, broccoli and zucchini. Cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are tender, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add corn, peas, carrots and quinoa. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Add ginger and soy sauce, and gently toss to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
6. Stir in green onions and eggs.
7. Serve immediately, drizzled with Sriracha, if desired.

** from www.simpledish.com

Enjoy!  Pat even thought this was amazing.  He's cleansing and this was a filling, satisfying meal.  Never cleansed?  Want to know more?  Let me know! 

Day 3- Something you wore today... and who needs a footlong?

 

Today and everyday that my students have any sort of standardized test, I wear my painted saint medal.  This happens to be the patron saint of students.  I am a firm believer that prayer is an essential part of being a healthy/well person.  There are several times I will hold my necklace and pray for my students, especially those who struggle with these types of tests.  My dear friend Taryn gave me this and I cherish it (and her).

Guess what nugget of greatness I learned today!  Whole Foods offers one serving each of five healthy meals on Thursdays, for $5!!!!!  Footlong, Schmootlong-this is real, non-processed nourishment! I had red quinoa salad with edemame and pinto beans, a southwestern chicken dish, a whole grain cold salad with cucumbers, a cabbage salad (not my fav), and something else.  My point is, for five bucks I got an amazing HEALTHY, organic meal that was yummy!  It weighed over a pound, and I only ate about half (minus the cabbage salad).  So, for five smackeroos I had dinner and lunch for tomorrow!  That's a find.  The wonderful woman serving the dishes said that they just recently began this and she's not sure how long they'll continue.  It depends on the demand.  Seriously, go demand some because it was outstanding.  I plan to go back next week!  Maybe I'll see you there!

Stop to give thanks...

Ok, really I am thankful most days, but today I am going to bed with a full heart.  I am thankful for my job where I get to spend each and every day with children who make me smile, who make me proud, and who make me push myself to make school better for them.  I am thankful for my girls who fill my heart until it spills over, who make me more proud than they should and who frustrate me because I see so much of myself in them!  I am thankful for my loving husband who sees me for who I am, and still loves me.  I am thankful for my dog- she's something...  I'm a pretty blessed lady.

I'm also thankful for Advocare.  What a difference this amazing company has made for us.  We are healthier, fitter, and feeling great!  Now we are starting to share this with people we care about.  It's fun and humbling to see our friends become fitter, healthier and feel better than they have.  I am so proud of many of the people who are taking control of their health and seeing great results! 

But anyway...  what did you eat today?  I ate some kick-butt quinoa salad.  Quinoa is a grain that is used like rice in many ways.  It can be a side dish, a salad base or a casserole base, but it's light and round.  Quinoa grains contain essential amino acids like lysine and good quantities of calcium, phosphorus, and iron.  There are a few different types, but I just bought the plain old organic version (at Kroger).  It's important to soak the grain for a bit prior to eating.  I've been advised to soak it with a capful of vinegar (I prefer Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar) and covered in water for a few hours prior to cooking.  This helps rid the grain of the bitter outer coating that sometimes exists in its organic state.  It helps with digestion of the grain and also helps it fluff better when cooked!  If you don't have a few hours, use your sprayer and spray it well. 

So, I cooked my quinoa in water and while it was cooking (according to package directions) I peeled and chopped a cucumber, about  10 cherry tomatoes, a quarter of an onion (finely chopped), and I boiled two ears of corn.  When the corn was done I cut the kernels off and mixed that with everything.  I chopped an orange bell pepper, too.  Usually I would add a can of drained and rinsed organic black beans, but I didn't have any!  The dressing is made from 3 Tbs olive oil, 2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg's), 1/2 a packet of Stevia, 1 clove minced garlic, a pinch of sea salt and black pepper.  Whisk these and mix with the rest of the ingredients.  It yields about four to six cups.
I have been eating it all week!

Tonight we grilled some chicken tenderloins with a lemon pepper rub.  I cut two strips into small bites and then chopped half an avocado to put in.  YUMMO!!!!!

Try some quinoa.  I think you will like it.  Very light and quite versatile.    Have a recipe you could share?  Let's hear it!

Regardless of what you eat, how you stay healthy, or where you are in your journey- be thankful.  Find one thing in each day and give thanks.

See you later.