Ingredients: 3 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained (can substitute brown rice or basmati rice) Sea salt and black pepper, to taste Dressing: 1. Prepare quinoa according to package directions. While it is cooking, prepare the remaining ingredients. 4. Peel & dice sweet potatoes. Add to quinoa or rice during last 5 minutes of cook time. 6. Fluff quinoa or rice with fork. Add bean/tomato/cilantro mixture. Add lime juice and zest. Season with sea salt & pepper, then toss to combine. Top each serving with avocado pieces and optional grilled chicken, shrimp or fish. Top with dressing, as desired. Quinoa Nutrition FactsQuinoa is often called a super-grain, even thought it isn’t really a grain at all! Quinoa is an ancient seed that has recently become popular again. It is considered a complete protein, meaning that it contains all eight of the essential amino acids that the body is unable to produce on its own. Quinoa contains an abundance of lysine, which is needed for growth and repair of all body tissues. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has compared the nutritional profile of quinoa to that dried whole milk. It’s nutrient-packed, but also gluten-free and wheat-free, making it an almost perfect food for people with wheat allergies. The protein in quinoa is easy to digest and the slow-release carbs help you keep blood sugars level – you’ll burn fat faster and stay fuller longer. Quinoa has no cholesterol or trans-fats, and almost 9 grams of protein per cup. Bonus: Quinoa is a great way to get some extra iron, and is full of calcium, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, B vitamins, B6, Niacin and Thiamine. |