Before cooking the quinoa you’ll need to rinse it (it may have a coating on it). Place the quinoa in a fine strainer and hold it under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well. To prepare it, use 2 parts liquid to 1 part quinoa and cook it like you would cook rice. Bring the liquid to a boil, add the quinoa, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover it, and cook until the water is absorbed (about 5 minutes).

Even though quinoa can be substituted for rice in most recipes, I like to add ½ part quinoa to 1 part rice in recipes. Quinoa can be found in health stores and at Trader Joe’s. Some examples of recipes with quinoa are: Quinoa Breakfast Cereal, Quinoa Pilaf, Quinoa Corn Chowder, Quinoa Mango Salad, and Quinoa Cookies.

Nutrition chart:

If you are not eating some kind of greens every day, try doing this for 2 weeks and see how you feel. Better yet, increase the amount of whole foods (fresh fruit and vegetables) for two weeks and see how you feel. I bet you will have more energy. The closer a food is to its natural state, the better it is for you. Also, try to use local produce (grow your own, go to the farmer’s markets, or local fruit stands).

While you are increasing the amount of whole foods, try decreasing the amount of processed foods (foods with sugar, flour, fat, etc) and see how you feel. Try drinking more water and less juice and soda.

Here is a list of some of the foods I consider healthy:

• Dark leafy greens and lettuce
• Fresh fruits and berries
• Lean chicken and turkey
• Nuts (raw), and unsweetened dried fruits
• Olive oil for cooking
• Low-fat milk, rice milk, or almond milk
• Seeds (such as raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds) and legumes

Eat a variety of healthy foods. Expand your range of healthy choices by trying something new each week. Do what works for you. What makes you feel better? I’m here to support you.

Let me know how I can be of service.

In Health,