Summer is Here - Why Not Try a Delicious Quinoa Salad?
Whether you are headed to the beach, a picnic or a party by the pool, chances are you are looking for something light and refreshing to take along. Rather than take along the standard pasta salad, why not try something new? One of my favorite dishes for summer is quinoa salad. It is easy to make ahead and the flavor seems to improve with time. Plus, you can buy quinoa in bulk, making it great when you are trying to serve a crowd and don't want to spend a fortune.
Regardless of whom you are trying to feed quinoa works well. It is the go to source of protein for many vegetarians and vegans, but you can also toss in some turkey sausage or grilled chicken to please a meat eating crowd. Children like quinoa because the slightly crunchy texture of the tiny seeds makes it seem fun. My kids don't even realize just how healthy quinoa is for them! (Please don't tell them!)
Even those who are trying to lose weight will be happy to see that quinoa is on the menu. The low glycemic carbohydrates make quinoa perfect for diets like South Beach. Because a one cup serving of quinoa (cooked) has just 220 calories, quinoa is a guilt free pleasure! For those 220 calories, not only do you get an abundance of good carbohydrates, you also get a whopping 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.
Besides being a crowd pleaser, quinoa is one of the healthiest foods you can find. This super food provides the body with everything it needs to survive - protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber and complete amino acids. In fact, nutritional experts have said that if you had to survive on just one food, quinoa may be it!
The abundance of phosphorus, magnesium, iron and copper in quinoa make it a perfect dietary addition for those who suffer from migraine headaches or diabetes. Quinoa also provides your body with manganese, B6, niacin, thiamine, tryptophan and potassium.
While most people consider quinoa a grain, it is actually a seed. Quinoa is gluten free and not a member of the grass family. This makes it perfect for those who have food sensitivities. Even those who do not tolerate many other foods experience great success with quinoa.
If you haven't already tried quinoa, what are you waiting for? Try cooking quinoa! You will be glad you did!
Regardless of whom you are trying to feed quinoa works well. It is the go to source of protein for many vegetarians and vegans, but you can also toss in some turkey sausage or grilled chicken to please a meat eating crowd. Children like quinoa because the slightly crunchy texture of the tiny seeds makes it seem fun. My kids don't even realize just how healthy quinoa is for them! (Please don't tell them!)
Even those who are trying to lose weight will be happy to see that quinoa is on the menu. The low glycemic carbohydrates make quinoa perfect for diets like South Beach. Because a one cup serving of quinoa (cooked) has just 220 calories, quinoa is a guilt free pleasure! For those 220 calories, not only do you get an abundance of good carbohydrates, you also get a whopping 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.
Besides being a crowd pleaser, quinoa is one of the healthiest foods you can find. This super food provides the body with everything it needs to survive - protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber and complete amino acids. In fact, nutritional experts have said that if you had to survive on just one food, quinoa may be it!
The abundance of phosphorus, magnesium, iron and copper in quinoa make it a perfect dietary addition for those who suffer from migraine headaches or diabetes. Quinoa also provides your body with manganese, B6, niacin, thiamine, tryptophan and potassium.
While most people consider quinoa a grain, it is actually a seed. Quinoa is gluten free and not a member of the grass family. This makes it perfect for those who have food sensitivities. Even those who do not tolerate many other foods experience great success with quinoa.
If you haven't already tried quinoa, what are you waiting for? Try cooking quinoa! You will be glad you did!
