The Quinoa Network

Do you love quinoa? I do! I prefer a stir-fry with lightly cooked vegetables the most, and a hearty helping of quinoa thrown in for good measure.

Always looking for new recipes, I found a couple I thought I'd share with you. Thanks, quinoa.net!

Quinoa is an amazing protein! It gets tossed into our soups, soaked and cooked into pilafs and stir frys. I love finding a good quinoa recipe, and my neighbor, Tracy is great at discovering new ways of using it in recipes - there will always be quinoa in our house!


So, without further adieu, here are some quinoa recipes for you to try out and enjoy.

QUINOA PILAF

1/2 cup carrot, diced                             6  cups quinoa, cooked (basic recipe)
1/2 cup green onion, diced                   1/4  cup olive oil
1/4 cup celery,  diced                            2  cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup green pepper, diced                    1  cup almonds, sliced
1/4 cup sweet red pepper, diced           1/4  tsp oregano
salt to taste

Sauté chopped vegetables in olive oil until clear, yet crisp: stir in oregano.
Add sautéed vegetables to cooked, hot quinoa, mixing well.
Add salt to taste. Dry-roast almonds in heavy skillet until lightly golden.
Add almonds and mix. Serves 6-8.
Quinoa pilaf served as a side dish with fish or chicken is delicious.
Vary the pilaf using your favorite vegetables, or by cooking the quinoa in chicken, fish or vegetable stock instead of water.


TABOULI

Tabouli, a mid-eastern salad, try it with quinoa for a delightful new taste.

2 cups quinoa, cooked                                     1/2 tsp basil
1 cup chopped parsley                                     1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped scallions                               1/4 cup olive oil
2 TBL fresh mint or 1 TBL dried mint            salt and pepper to taste
1 garlic clove, pressed                                      lettuce leaves, whole
1/4 cup olives, sliced  

Place all ingredients except lettuce and olives in a mixing bowl and toss together lightly.
Chill for 1 hour or more to allow flavors to blend.
Wash and dry lettuce leaves and use them to line a salad bowl.
Add tabouli and garnish with olives.
Serves 4

Something to Ponder - Volume I

I have lists - files and folders filling with tidbits of information that I want to share with the world. Instead, I intend to get it posted here, in whatever format I can muster, for your learning enjoyment.

Thing #1: "Eating: The Movie" is a must see so be sure to add it to your list of DVD's to watch soon!

This movie really helped me to understand how deluded my thinking about food had gotten.  I recommend it!

Thing #2:  Silicone Gel Implants cause autoimmune diseases. 

Seriously. 

Ask Pamela Anderson.

Thing #3: Positive Thinking can heal.  I know this to be 100% true. Interested? Email me, we'll chat.

Thing #4: Cancer thrives in a low oxygen environment. Lack of fresh air causes low oxygen in the body - so get out there and move yours!

Thing #5: Prednizone: This is the latest drug of choice. It causes autoimmune disease, peptic ulcers, mental psychosis, bone softening, easy fractures, excessive facial hair, acne, metabolic disturbances and an inability to process fats. 

Thing #6: The ALUMINUM in antacids seems to lead to ALS.

Thing #7: Multiple Sclerosis sufferers experienced great success by increasing water intake and eliminating dairy, meat and sugars.

Thing #8: Alzheimer's. The adult human brain weighs 3.5 pounds when hydrated properly. Our brains are made up of 85% water. When we neglect ourselves and do not take in sufficient water, our brains can weigh as little as 10 ounces. 

Alzheimers is said to be caused by an extreme lack of hydration, yet patients are given diuretics, removing the much needed water.

Thing #9: When we don't drink enough water, our body can't make enough serum to produce blood volume. 

We all need blood, so getting enough water is something to be sure we do!

Thing #10: You're awesome - thanks for stopping by today!

Traditional Beef Stew Recipe

Did you know that I am in the process of becoming an amazing chef?! I am!

I have a friend (a very patient friend, Tracy) who offers me tips, tricks and solutions to all of my recipe needs....when I mess it up, she knows exactly why and what I can do to remedy the situation for next time. She has shared many recipes with me and I will continue to try to convince her that I need a full recipe book authored by her in the near future......

......but this post is about a recipe I discovered online. I didn't just fall in love with it - I fell in lust with it!

The recipe: a traditional beef stew. I won't take up any more of your precious time (and it is precious, never forget that)....but this stew is to live for!

Traditional Beef Stew

3 lbs boneless chuck roast (substitute for wild game - optional)

3 tbsp oil

2 tsp celtic sea salt

1 Tbsp freshly ground pepper

2 onions, chunked

1/4 c. flour (I used spelt - worked great)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 c. red wine (I used homemade Chokecherry wine)

3 c. beef broth (concerned about sodium? Make your own!)

1/2 tsp dried thyme

4 carrots

2 celery

3 potatoes

Brown the meat in coconut oil.
Remove from heat and set aside.

Interesting note: Meat is easier to digest when the ligaments have been broken up. Our bodies take a long time to successfully complete this task for us, so if you are a meat eater, marinade or use a meat tenderizer.

For those of you who don't eat meat at all....this recipe is not for you. For those of you who live near me, you'll want to make this for dinner tonight. Make lots.

Once the beef is removed, brown the onions in coconut oil.

Add the flour and stir. Let cook for 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for an addition 2-3 minutes.

Add the wine, stirring and scraping the bottom. This will thicken. Simmer 5 minutes.

Add the broth, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary and re-add the meat.

Simmer on low for one hour.

Add the carrots, celery and potatoes and simmer for an additional 30 minutes. I usually let it simmer a little bit longer - the flavors get a chance to really blend. It's almost ready!!

Let sit 15 minutes before serving.
This traditional stew is what you might expect to be served if you went to an Irish Pub.

Bake up some flax crackers or spelt bread and serve warm - enjoy this stew. Savor it.........you'll wish you had doubled the recipe!

Mock Apple Pie That's Good For You

Where I live the weather can be unpredictable and cold. We've experienced -50 celcius in past years - no kidding.

We are enveloped in snow from the end of October pretty much until May. Warm meals make a difference here, and some of the easiest ones are really good for you too!

I created a fast, 'mom-doesn't-have-to-stand-over-the-stove kinda meal for breakfast. Mock Apple Pie - because who wouldn't love to have apple pie for breakfast!?

Now, I've made this recipe in my slow cooker and everyone really enjoyed it - but this version went over best.

It's warm, the house smells delicious and there are never leftovers. Ever. Enjoy the recipe and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

3 apples, diced (I used crab apples I had frozen from the summer)

2 cups oatmeal

3-4 cups water

2 Tbsp Honey

1 Tbsp Nutmeg

1 Tbsp Cinnamon

Walnuts (optional)

Raisins (optional)

Add all of the ingredients to a baking dish, mix it all up and toss it in the oven at 350 for as long as it takes. Yes, that's how I cook. Check it after a half hour. 

Remove from the oven and serve with almond milk and fruit slices. 

Delicious and really good for you too!