quinoa : the “supergrain”

I like to eat healthily and one item which I have been eating and enjoying everyday, is quinoa.

Pronounced, “keen- wa,” this, “super grain,” looks like rice, cooks like rice, but is a thousand times better for you than even brown rice.

Here is some information;

What is quinoa?

Quinoa is 100% whole grain and is close to being a perfect food source in the balance of nutrition it provides. Technically it’s not a grain but the seed of a leafy plant related to spinach. Quinoa is an excellent source of protein – 12% to 18%. According to The National Academy of Sciences, quinoa is “one of the best sources of protein in the vegetable kingdom”. Quinoa contains the amino acid lysine which helps the body produce protein. It also helps the body process the protein in the quinoa and in other foods. The World Health Organization has rated the quality of protein in quinoa to be equivalent or superior to that found in milk products.
Quinoa is a source of all essential amino acids according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization. It’s a great source of B vitamins containing niacin, thiamin and B6.It contains high levels of potassium and riboflavin. It’s also good source of zinc, copper, and manganese, and magnesium. It contains folic acid and vitamin E.

(It also reduces and stabilizes ones blood sugar, is wonderful for heart health)
Quinoa is a great food for people who must follow wheat-free/gluten-free diets because Quinoa doesn’t contain gluten. Quinoa can be substituted for almost any other grain.
Quinoa has a nutty, smoky flavor and is less filling than other grains and pastas. (edited to mention; I don’t find this, it is very filling and satisfying.

I have even had it as a substitute for breakfast grains and love it with raisins or almonds and or applesauce)
Quinoa has been one of the primary foods of the Inca Indians for more than 5,000 years. The Incas referred to Quinoa as “Mother Grain”. Most quinoa is grown in the Andes in South America. Some quinoa is now being grown in the Colorado Rockies. The fact that quinoa will grow in extremely poor soil together with its great nutritional value makes it a true super grain to feed the world.
Quinoa seed are covered with bitter tasting saponins that naturally repel insects and birds.

Luckily, most companies that produce quinoa, will have already removed this covering for the consumer.

quinoa information

Here is a photo of how it looks when growing…

Here is the raw grain…

Here it is , in its cooked state.

Edited later;

I just put  a  quinoa pudding in the oven; it’s exactly like rice pudding only nicer; will post a recipe later…

happenings

So the main thing that has just happened in my life is that a friend from high school(I mean, we had been friends since then) passed away suddenly. She was 56.

It was a shock for everyone that knew her, as apparently, according to her boyfriend, she had not been ill .

HOWEVER I was talking to a mutual friend today and it seemed that our friend had not been to a doctor for,”years” as , ” why go, if nothing wrong”.

But you know, she had been under a tremendous amount of stress so it is anyone’s call as to reason.

It could have been anything from clogged arteries, to even diabetes, or a stroke.

SAD.

This is the first of my friends to pass away; funny how we all assumed that we would totter in old age together… we used to joke about walking along with our zimmer frames(walkers) and be crochety old things(as is ones’ right  once old age has been reached!

I have made an appointment to get checked, even though I always have low blood pressure, have no history of illness, in fact come from a line of long lived relatives.

I think one owes it to oneself AND to one’s partner or loved ones to take care of such things..

the nerve of some people

So I went to work today and my boss( she who is  like a female Hitler, with just about the same social skills) called out to me, “how are you today?”

Aside; remember, when most people ask you this they do NOT want an answer, especially an honest answer; they want you to ask THEM how THEY are… it’s that old narcissism that prevails especially amongst bosses…

Perversely I honestly answered ,” not that great ; when I eat, I still feel blecchy”

“You should be over that by now”, she meanly snipped…

So I mildly answered that usually it takes about a week to feel back to normal after a gastric upset; and we left it at that.

But how dare she; what a hag… I would never PRESUME to tell somehow how they should be feeling

(cannot WAIT to get out of there…)

I am still here

I was feeling annoyed a few days ago; hence the very brief evidence of my dissatisfaction.

I was thinking how very public these blogs are, aren’t they!

I was unwary in the first days of being a blogger. I think know that certain family members have knowledge of my blogs existence. Knowing them, it will be unlikely that they ever would visit after the first time but one never know.

Tons of stuff has been happening.

One is that H was recently diagnosed with Diabetes 2.

Now he is NOT overweight(as often goes hand in hand with this all too prevalent disease) NOR is he unfit.

It could be that stress has been a contributing factor(as I said TONS of stuff on my family’s side has been occurring) or it could be that he eats white rice before(and it is almost top of the high glycemic food list.

The good news is, he and I have totally eliminated all sugar from our diets (hadn’t realized how much sugars there were in certain fruits either)and are eating lots of vegetables and brown basmati rice

(which is delicious)

Image via Wikipedia

and lots more protein(as THAT is a good way of keeping blood sugars balanced.

He doesn’t have to take a pill(hopefully never) and is taking a chinese medicine that will help him balance the sugars as well)

He has a glucometer, and after the first stressful days, now is an old hat at using it, (but he only has to monitor about twice a week)

He and I also walk 6 times a week, for at least 30 to 45 minutes at a good pace.

His levels are ALREADY much lower..they are JUST about norma, so I am happy.

So that is part of the news..

Hope all are well..

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• Outsmart Diabetes with Healthy Habits (lifescript.com)

H has the flu (but is slowly improving)

Yes it seems that is what H’s tummy episode and soreness was, as it was later compounded with a splitting headache and a bit of a temp..

He finally is starting to eat a bit; had rice pudding and kept it down although he is not a huge imbiber of liquids, no matter what enticements I use.

I had gotten him some natural Gravol(it’s just ginger; fantastic for nausea) but he isn’t crazy about ginger so I also got some homeopathic anti nausea tablets which seem to be doing the job..he them twice but hasn’t since so THIS in itself is a good sign.

He and I relaxed this afternoon, he comfy on the couch and me in his lounge chair, and watched old comedies at which he laughed(laughter is also an excellent healer as most of us know)

Now he is snoozing in bed, and will continue to get over this nasty virus even though it might be slowly.

I went to Tai Chi this morning which was a huge success, in that it helps me keep cool at times like this…