Yummy Time With Melissa …

I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn’t work. I felt pretty good while I was blowing that bubble, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor, I was back to pondering my mortality-

Its always a pleasure to have Melissa from Sweet Wholesome Health over for a visit.  Awhile back we were asked by like 400 of you for us to wrangle some delicious quiona recipes from Melissa?  We hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

Quinoa Salad

This is one of the BEST summer salads because it is so versatile and can be made to suit any taste preference!  It can be served cold (my favorite), warm or hot! Quinoa (actually a seed rather than a grain) is considered a “super-food” because it contains essential amino acids and good quantities of calcium, phosphorus and iron!  It is also very mild in flavor, super easy to cook and much faster to cook than a traditional grain.  It really is one of the best foods out there so go start experimenting and don’t be afraid to think outside the box:)

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 and 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Pepper (to taste)

Optional Ingredients:

• Scallions
• Radishes
• Pepper
• Onion
• Carrot
• Mint
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Goat cheese
• Fruits
• Nuts
• Any veggie you like to eat uncooked:)

Make sure to wash, rinse and drain the quinoa several times.  It has a protective coating that will make the water cloudy and if left on it can make it harder to digest.  You know your quinoa is clean when your water stays clear after swishing your hand around in it.  Then place the quinoa in a small or medium pot, add the water and salt, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer with the lid on until all water is absorbed (15-20 min).  DO NOT STIR THE QUINOA WHILE IT IS COOKING!  Quinoa is very smart.  It has its own system of creating ventilation holes on its own.  If you stir, you will cause it to cook unevenly.  To check for done-ness you can slowly tilt the pot and if water starts to seep out it isn’t done.

When all the water is absorbed remove the lid, turn the heat off and let the quinoa rest for 5-10 min. Then you can fluff with a fork. This is the base for making most quinoa recipes.  To make my favorite version continue reading.

While the quinoa is cooking wash and cut up all the veggies you would like to use.  For example I would use 2 scallions, 4 radishes, 1 pepper, 1 medium carrot, parsley and goat cheese.  Toss them all together in a large bowl and when the quinoa has cooled a bit throw that in as well.  Add as little or as much extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice you would like (usually equal parts is good but you can keep taste testing to find what works for you), then salt and pepper to taste.

You can serve immediately and warm or put it in the fridge for a cold salad. It will keep up to 5 days in the fridge! ENJOY 🙂

Other ways to use Quinoa!

You can use it in a burrito instead of rice, mix it with ground beef and make stuffed peppers, use it as a base for any sauce you can think of or eat it cold with some fruit and yogurt for an extra boost at breakfast! What are some of your wild and crazy quinoa ideas?

*Roll through this as many times as you like.  If you have any bands?  Use them to pattern loading these movements.

Notes:

Its been a brilliant week peeps and thank you for your continued support!  Seriously, where else can you get tasty, fresh Quinoa recipes?  Fall in love again with the dashing, brilliant man Nikola Tesla and learn all the words to Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back“?!?  Just go ahead and say it:  “Right here at CultFit baby!  That’s where!!!“.  CultFit has always leaned towards your spiritual health and well-being.  Talking about running, lifting, balancing of stuff , doing burpees and anything else you can think is quite nauseating and painful.  We sincerely care about our readers well-being, well maybe not Uncle Mo.  He has a strong penchant for reading about your painful injuries and sob stories.  Anyways, if you guys are in the area and want to meet up with the members of CultFit?  You can catch us at the Glow Run tomorrow night as well as the Corporate Cycling Challenge Sunday morning (the beer will still be cold at 7am …).  No matter what?  Have a great weekend and ENJOY!!!