Quinoa    (Keen whah)   Is a great way to add protein to your diet. Although not an item found in most kitchens    quinoa is a seed with a fluffy, slightly crunchy texture when cooked.  Quinoa has been around for centuries, it was  an important  food staple to the Incas  and  continues to be grown and    eaten in Peru & Chili.

Quinoa is available in your local health food store (Mother Natures in Manzanita carries it) 

Here are some of the nutrients found in quinoa : maganese, magnesium, iron, tryptophan, copper, phosphorus.  amino acids (protein)   And Now,      A  Recipe  to Try      :)

What you will need:

1 cup quinoa, 1/4 bunch fresh parsley,  1/4 bunch fresh cilantro, fresh lemon, sea salt, 1garlic clove, 1 jalapeno, 1 tomato, broccoli and cauliflower florets . Udos Oil, or Olive Oil.

The ratio  is 1 part  quinoa  to two parts  of water.  Boil the water,  pinch of salt, add the quinoa, lower the heat, stir and leave for 5 minutes.

   Chop  cilantro, parsley & garlic  add juice of 1 lemon, jalapeno  & salt to taste.    Split the mixture in two. Mix half into the quinoa, stir well add florets of brocolli & cauliflower.  Puree tomato with remaining cilantro mix.  Add tomato mixture to quinoa.    Enjoy.

 Eat alone or mix with salad greens or spinach.

 

                                            Food   Yoga

As strange as it might seem, spring is almost over . Now is the time to focus on change. Think twice about the long winter  grazing, inspite of the challenging weather it is late spring.

It is time to add more live food into your life. (I am talking vegetables here, not fish or meat.)

Any food that is heated under 120 degrees is still considered live food. Food placed in a microwave, or cooked until soft has no nutrients left in it. Which means, you are not receiving any vitamins or minerals the vegetable has to offer.

If you have been in the habit of multi tasking at work and through out your day.

Let’s bring some yoga into  your food preparation:

Tv, dvd’s any thing distracting is to be turned off. Only soft music  is allowed.

Once you have decided on your favorite vegetable (organic )for dinner, begin at the sink.

 Stand in Tadasana (the mountain pose) Root your feet into the floor, lengthen your spine all the way up through the top of your head (crown).

Take some deep, slow breaths. If your shoulders are tight, lift them up, back and down. Turn the water on cold and begin to clean the vegetables, slowly turn the water to warm. Feel the change in temperature as you clean your food.

Now is the time to look at the beauty of the vegetable, turn it slowly as you wash it. Think about how you will be preparing it.

To warm: 

Keep the heat on low, if you are steaming, it will be for only a  few minutes. The vegetables will be crunchy.

 For vegetables in the oven,  keep the oven under 125 degrees.

A great topping  to use, juice of a fresh  lemon , sea salt, olive oil, or Udos oil or any herbs or seasonings you enjoy.

Take some time to prepare a place to enjoy your food. Clean the sink, stay present to the task of celebrating the food you will be eating. (Leaving the kitchen might be mean multi tasking and forgetting the food, be careful.)

When the vegetables are warmed to your liking, take a moment to look at  your food on the plate, breathing deep, spine erect, thank yourself for taking time for you, the food for it’s minerals and any other offering you would like to make. 

Thinking good thoughts as we eat healthy food keeps are body , mind and spirit healthy. Enjoy.

namaste ,

Fawn