Phenomenal Foods

Today's phenomenal food is:

Quinoa!

Quinoa is delicious, and I absolutely love it! It's a grain, like rice, but it's nuttier-tasting than rice and has a different texture to it. I've had yellow and red quinoa, and the red has an excellent nutty taste, but the yellow is good, too! It's a bit expensive, but it lasts for a long time and a half of a cup of dry quinoa is more than enough for one person. Plus, it's super easy to make! You just put in 2 cups of water for every cup of quinoa, bring it to a vigorous boil, then cover and let it simmer on medium-low for 15 minutes and viola! It's good as a hot side dish with some light butter or as a cold breakfast mixed with fruit, honey, and fresh mint (recipe below). I love it any way you can make it!

Quinoa is also a super food because it helps with weight loss! Health.com says, "Another diet-friendly whole grain, quinoa is rich in hunger-fighting protein. You'll stay full longer on fewer calories and avoid overeating at other meals." It's very filling and tastes great! Plus, there are tons of recipes where you can replace pasta or another grainy food with quinoa to make a low-calorie meal (like mac & cheese). So, next time you're at the grocery store, pick up a bag and try it. Don't be afraid! I promise it'll be worth it!

Quinoa Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

2 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!