Fuel Your Makeover with Quinoa for Breakfast!

One of the key changes we hope you will make during your Makeover 101 Fitness Challenge is to fuel up with both spiritual and physical food every morning.  

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day in part for all the reasons science tells us, but primarily because I am one of those folks that loves to eat.  I look forward to 'breaking' my 'fast' with the tasty breakfast options. The most recommended breakfast options when we are trying to lose weight and make healthy lifestyle changes are oatmeal, fruit, plain yogurt or egg whites.  All really yummy options, but my taste buds do get bored sometimes and I want something exciting and different.  So since I like to experiment with healthy yet tasty options I came up with this recipe using quinoa (keen-wah).  It is a great source of fiber and protein. Then you toss in some seasonal  berries and presto - you have a dish you can add to the line up throughout the year.  Check it out:

Berry Nutty Quinoa

1 Cup Quinoa

2 cups water

Pinch of Sea Salt

¾ tsp. Cinnamon

¼ tsp. Allspice

1 tsp Vanilla

1 cup seasonal berries (strawberries, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries – what ever is currently in season)

¼ cup sliced almonds or walnuts (or pumpkin seeds if there is a nut allergy)

2 tbs Local Honey (or 1 tbs + 1 tsp Stevia)

1 cup Milk (skim, unsweetened almond or your favorite low fat option)

1 tsp Ghee or butter (optional)

·      Soak quinoa for 15 minutes in cold water

·      Stir quinoa with your hands and pour off water, then strain through a fine mesh strainer

·      Set strainer over a bowl

·      In a medium saucepan bring water and salt to a rolling boil

·      Add quinoa and let it boil for a minute then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed (for creamier texture combine grains and water and bring to a boil together then reduce heat)

·      Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, all-spice, berries, vanilla and almonds.

·      Serve and on each serving add ¼ tsp butter (optional), drizzle honey (or honey & stevia) and pour ¼ cup milk on top.

YUMMY!!! 

***Now some have said that quinoa is an acquired taste, so give it a chance and most agree once you acquire the taste you just want more!!***