Okay—perhaps a semi-cheesy title, but hey—after ya read why quinoa should be your new ladle to your pot—or for those who don’t take a liken’ to the kitchen—bread to your sandwich … you’ll see why…

Quinoa, pronounced keen-wah, is a nutritional powerhouse, according to not just I, but the ancient Incas. In fact, quinoa was so highly revered by those from its motherland—South America—that this lil’ protein, fiber-filled nugget was referred to as “the mother grain.” That’s a pretty gosh darn BIG title, if I don’t say so myself!

Today, dozens of foodie-nutrition blogs, health mags, and popular press tout quinoa’s “mother grain” status and often refer to it as “the super grain of the future.” However, I like to think of quinoa as the super grain of all time—past, present, and future (ya know … just to be clear here). But, before we get ahead of ourselves, I must provide you with the disclaimer that although quinoa presents as a grain … it’s actually the seed of the plant, Chenopodium quinoa. This plant is related to beets, chard, and spinach … who knew?!? Okay, I’ll refrain my inner dorkdum…but, really—isn’t that cool?

A Nutrition Lover’s Ode to Quinoa

What makes quinoa so absolutely fantastic is:

• It’s a WHOLE GRAIN! …okay, a whole seed!
• It contains more protein than any other grain or seed!
• It’s a complete protein! Meaning quinoa contains all the essential amino acids, or building blocks, our bodies need to form new proteins and keep our lean, green, mean, disease-fighting machine system in top-notch!
• It’s splashed with a good dose of gut, heart, and healthy- weight lovin’ fiber
• It’s laced with lysine! No—this is NOT somethin’ to worry about! Lysine is an amino acid essential for tissue growth and repair.
• It’s gluten and wheat free—those with wheat/gluten allergies, rejoice!

A Foodie’s Ode to Quinoa

• Its fluffiness accompanied by crunchiness offers up an escape from the ordinary grain.
• Its delicate nutty flavor tantalizes the palate.
• It’s a pretty cheap tasty health food!
• Although mellow yellow is the most popular variety, quinoa exists in many different colors,  including orange, pink, yellow, purple, and black.  Get lookin’ for it and experiment with color in the kitchen!
• It’s versatile! Quinoa can be used in soups, salads, breads, puddings, breakfast cereal—you name it, and I betcha quinoa can do it!
• Quinoa will adjust to your foodie schedule. It can be cooked in a pinch–in the microwave—or with more time—on the stovetop.

Now, for a lil’ Super Breakfast Bowl Challenge Fun!

Today, we’re eating breakfast and lickin’ up new b-fast duds while we’re at it! The new b-fast food today is—can you guess?!?—quinoa! Now, I usually dig my quinoa ensconced in a smattering of veggies… at dinner time (I tell ya, I’m addicted to my oats), but NOP—not today my friends. See—even I had to challenge myself! Today, I had to get creative … so, I thought of what flavors, textures, and smells jive together. And, by-gosh-by-golly-gee … I think I got a winner!

Cinnamon-Cran Quinoa

Servings per recipe: 1

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup quinoa
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 Tablespoon of Cinnamon
• 1 Light Laughing Original Cow Wedge
• 1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries
• 1 tablespoon of honey or brown sugar

Directions:

• Cook quinoa (microwave for 4-5 minutes in 1/2 cup water. If  heating on stovetop, follow package instructions. Generally, the ratio of quinoa to water is kept to a 1:2 ratio)
• When done cooking and still hot, add the Light Laughing Cow Wedge to the Quinoa and stir until creamy and dissolving
• Add cranberries, cinnamon, and honey or brown sugar to the mix and stir!
• Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts per Serving: 338 calories, 4 grams fat, 70 grams carbohydrate, 10 grams protein, 5 grams fiber

Step Up & Send in Your Quinoa Breakfasty Goodness!

If Ms. Healthy in a Skillet (aka yours truly) can whip something up, you can too! AND—I want to see watcha got! So … send in your quinoa breakfast duds by Wednesday, February 17th  to TheSuperBreakfastBowlChallenge@gmail.com along with a picture of your FAB dish and its recipe! If ya win, not only will YOU be featured on all 5 of our blogs, BUT you’ll get a bunch of Newman’s Own Organics products—everything from delicious, decadent, dark chocolate to dried fruit to super sassy soy crisps!

Looking forward to your Quinoa Recipes!

Happy Healthifying!

Corinne at Green Grapes Blog

So—what’s the dealio with this so called “challenge?”

Okay—here’s the 411.

Five of us nutrition ladies—Jessica at A Fete For Food, Janel at Eat Well with Janel, Elizabeth at Don’t White Sugar Coat It, Lindsey at Healthy Blog Snack, and Corinne at Green Grapes Blog (yours truly), invite YOU to take the Super Breakfast Bowl Challenge! If you accept, you’ll incorporate a food that typically doesn’t make it onto your breakfast plate or into your usual b-fast bowl—or hey, if you’re really in a jam … your hand or napkin. Simply put, as long as ya eat breakfast within an hour of your rise-n-shine time, incorporate the chosen breakfast item, and send us a pic of your b-fast duds along with its recipe within six days of the highlighted item’s post—you’re good to go and eligible for prizes!!!!!!!!!!

Woo-hoo! Yes, we said prizes.

The Deal

But, before we get on to prizes, let’s talk a lot more nitty-gritty, shall we??? I know—details, details, details…

Starting next week—on February 8^th—we’ll each have a day where we’ll post why our ingredient is AWESOME and invite you to use the ingredient in your breakfast within the upcoming week.

The Five Super Breakfast Bowl Challenge Ingredients, Revealed

1. Avocado – Monday, February 8^th

• Pics and recipes needed Sunday, February 14^th

2. Flax Seed – Tuesday, February 9^th

• Pics and recipes needed Monday, February 15^th

3. Lentils – Wednesday, February 10^th

• Pics and recipes needed Tuesday, February 16^th

4. Quinoa – Thursday, February 11^th

• Pics and recipes needed Wednesday, February 17^th

5. Walnuts – Friday, February 12^th

• Pics and recipes needed Thursday, February 18^th

Now, to get clout and be eligible to receive a FAB prize—you’ll need to send a pic of your breakfast item along with its recipe to thesuperbreakfastbowlchallenge@gmail.com within six days of the ingredient’s post date (noted above).

For example, if Lindsey writes about avocado’s awesomeness next Monday, then you’ll have until Sunday to send in a pic of your avocado breakfast goodness! AND—if you win, on Monday, the picture of your breakfast along with its recipe will be posted on ALL of our blogs!

So … Basically …

Each “ingredient post” will appear on each of our 5 blogs and each person who sends in a breakfast pic with the chosen ingredient AND recipe will be eligible for a prize! But … wait, there’s more! The winner—chosen by a random number generator—will be featured on ALL of our blogs along with your name and blog/website name, if ya got one.

Don’t ya love it?!? Cooking experience, health, creativity, great prizes, and free publicity all in one!

So, if ya use all five ingredients and submit a pic each time, you’ll have FIVE opportunities to win some pretty fabulous items—if I don’t say so myself! Plus, get publicity across the blogosphere!

PRIZE TIME!

Now, what you’ve all been waiting for!

Below are the items you could nab if you enter each Super Breakfast Bowl Challenge!

1. Avocado: The Chef’n Vibe Avocado Slicer courtesy of Kitchen Stuff Plus, lots of Newman’s Own Organics fun, and an avocado gift pack courtesy of Avocados from Mexico!
2. Flax Seed: Fantastic Vega Products and Purely Elizabeth’s Perfect Pancake Mix and A wonderful Mighty Leaf Tea Top Brew Mug!
3. Lentils: A truly terrific text, Thrive—The Vegan Nutrition Guide. You can ALSO win the book 101 Optimal Life Foods by Registered Dietitian (aka Gu-a-titian) Dave Grotto.
4. Quinoa: Newman’s Own Organics loot—everything from delicious, decadent, dark chocolate to dried fruit!
5. Walnuts: Mollie Katzen’s get cooking. cookbook and a jar of walnut butter and a jar of chocolate walnut butter courtesy of Futters Nut Butters

GO ON—Challenge yourself to a Super Breakfast Bowl!

There’s never a time like the present! Send us your Super Breakfast Bowl Challenge pics with their recipe—come on now, you must share the health—and you could win some good loot in addition to some good ol’ blogger fun!

Looking forward to your breakfast creations!!!

Jessica at A Fete For Food

Janel at Eat Well with Janel

Elizabeth at Don’t White Sugar Coat It

Lindsey at Healthy Blog Snack

Corinne at Green Grapes Blog

PS there will be no GGB Challenge during February

I have a spring in my curl, pep in my step, and grin on my face. I am absolutely honored to announce that lil’ Green Grapes Blog aka GGB received an “Over the Top Award!” The lovely Jessica over at A Fete For Food granted Green Green Grapes Blog this delightful mark of distinction. Jessica–THANK YOU!

According to the rules of the award, I must provide GGB readers the answers to the below 35 questions. I also must THANK my award giver (one more time now–THANKS Jessica!) AND grant 6 of my FAVORITE BLOGGERS this award. Then, give them the heads-up that they have been nominated by yours truly. And, out of pure blogger goodness, my nominees must follow suit!  Oh yea … I must answer all questions in ONE WORD … Here I go …

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk
2. Your hair? Curlicious
3. Your mother? Strong
4. Your father? Funny
5. Your favorite food? Grapes!
6. Your dream last night? Nothing
7. Your favorite drink? Coffee
8. Your dream/goal? Spokeswoman
9. What room are you in? Bedroom
10. Your hobby? Reading
11. Your fear? Death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? San Francisco
13. Where were you last night? Gym
14. Something that you aren’t? Lazy
15. Muffins? Corn
16. Wish list item? Massage
17. Where did you grow up? California
18. Last thing you did? Write
19. What are you wearing? Sweaterdress
20. Your TV? A Rarity
21. Your pets? Fabulous!
22. Friends? Loving
23. Your life? Busy
24. Your mood? Spunky
25. Missing someone? Yes
26. Vehicle? None
27. Something you’re not wearing? Glasses
28. Your favorite store? Nordstorm
29. Your favorite color? Turquoise
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday
32. Your best friend? Sassy
33. One place that I go to over and over? Gym
34. One person who emails me regularly? Lindsey
35. Favorite place to eat? Genki Ya

NOW MY NOMINEES!!!

• My blogger guru & good friend: Janel at Dine Dish Delish
• One of my favorite RD bloggers: Robin at RobinPlotkin.com
• My go-to RD foodie blogger: Wendy at Edible Nutrition
• My fav RD & cPT with an awesome website & blog: Marci at Marci R.D.Nutrition Counseling
• One of the best Mommy Bloggers out there with fab recipes: Tina at Mommy’s Kitchen
• A fellow nutrition junkie & food fiend: Amber at Chocolate Broccoli

Alright ladies–hop to it! And, enjoy spreading the blogger fun!

On a closing  note–If there is anything you want to see on GGB OR you’d just like to share some GGB love, simply drop a comment & share your thoughts! I’d be honored!

Happy Healthifying!