Quinoa is one of my favorite foods. It can be enjoyed at any meal and is especially nice as a breakfast alternative!

Did you know that Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a seed not a grain? It is harvested from a plant related to beets and spinach.

Indigenous to the Andes, quinoa has been cultivated in Bolivia, Chile and Peru for more than 3,000 years. Capable of thriving in depleted, salty soils, the tall plant shoots up a spike of brightly colored flowers that come in a range of red and pink hues; the seeds that those flowers turn into are what end up in your bowl!

Nutrition-wise, quinoa has awesome benefits. One cup contains 8 grams of protein; in comparison, brown rice has 5. It is a complete protein, gluten free, and has a nutty flavor. Quinoa packs plenty of other nutrients too: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, Vitamin E, Potassium, lysine, iron and fiber.

Here are some amazing Quinoa recipes to enjoy!

http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/vegetarian-recipes/quinoa-recipes.php