Quinoa Quickie

Day six tracking and completely on plan (calories, clean food only, exercise at least 30 minutes) and it is hard to remember why I have been struggling for the past six months. I really wish someone would figure out why my motivation turns off and on so randomly. I will just make the most of this momentum.. it feels like this will last awhile!

Today was a meatless day for me and by dinner time my body was crying out for protein. I decided to cook up some quinoa.

Quinoa (pronounced /ˈkiːnoʊ.ə/ or /kwɨˈnoʊ.ə/, Spanish quinua, from Quechua kinwa), a species of goosefoot (Chenopodium), is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a grass. As a chenopod, quinoa is closely related to species such as beets, spinach and tumbleweeds. Its leaves are also eaten as a leaf vegetable, much like amaranth, but the commercial availability of quinoa greens is currently limited.

Until recently I believed quinoa was a grain, but actually it is a seed from a grain - making it not only a great complx carb but also a fantastic source of protein. I love how versatile it is for taking on flavours and I love that I can cook it in my rice cooker!!! Tonight I made up a new dish - quinoa with roasted butternut squash and wilted spinach. I used cumin and nonya (an Indonesian spice blend) to perk it up. It was delicious and so filling. I ate 3 hours ago and am not feeling the evening munchies that usually hit before bed. Here is a picture of my creation.