Why Superfoods are Super

Oh, wow, it's been a long time since I've written...the summer is halfway spent, and well, life is good but crazy. On to our topic of the day.


What are superfoods?


Superfoods are nutrient-dense foods whose nutrients benefit multiple systems of the body. Their high concentrations of a wide variety of nutrients make them extremely important for boosting the immune system, the metabolism and other systems of the body. It's like eating a multivitamin, but tastes way better than the aftertaste pills have.


Take quinoa for example....which is one of my favorite superfoods.
Quinoa is the only plant-based source of protein that contains all eight essential amino acids. It also is a complex carbohydrate that is better for your metabolism, and prevent spikes in insulin. Long story short, this superfood meets a lot nutritional needs in one, thus the nickname.

A list of other superfoods include:


kale - Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and iron
pomegranates - Vitamins B6, C, and Potassium
apples - Fiber, Vitamin B6 and C, and Potassium
spinach - Vitamins A, B6, C, Iron, Magnesium, and Potassium and Vitamin K
kiwi - Vitamins C, K, Potassium,
brussel sprouts - Vitamins C, K, fiber, folate


These are just a few of the myriad of superfoods that can benefit your diet. Pomegranates are a personal favorite of mine. They have so much vitamin C and potassium, which is great for immunity and stress. Plus, they taste amazing! 
Looking for a way to get more superfoods into your diet?
 Enjoy this great salad from my Cheap, Clean Recipe Collection!

Greens or Greek Salad

 What you need:

• 4 c. of baby kale, organic if possible
• 4 c. mixed greens, organic if possible
• 1/2 c balsamic vinegar 
• 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil
• 1.5 c. crumbled feta cheese
• 1 c. sliced almonds
• 1 c dried cranberries

Instructions:

Combine oil and vinegar in a container. This will be the salad dressing.  Toss all other ingredients together in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss. Enjoy!

 

Quinoa: What is It? A Recipe Roundup

Quinoa (pronounced "keen-wah) is one of my favorite healthy foods....unfortunately, most of my friends don't even know how to pronounce it or how delicious it is. #fitpeopleproblems  Maybe some of them will read this post and decide to give quinoa

a chance. I was glad I did. Micah and I eat quinoa several times a week, and it's a great healthy staple for your kitchen, especially if you're on a tight budget or trying to reduce how much meat you consume. 

So, what is quinoa? Quinoa is a seed that comes from South America. It is also the only plant based protein with a complete amino acid profile. This is super important for vegetarians. So in this really tiny package, come a lot of nutritional benefits. Quinoa is also a great source of iron and fiber as well, and it is a complex carbohydrate, so this means, it will help stabilize blood sugar levels....just make sure you eat proper portions.

How to cook quinoa:

Rinse desired amount of quinoa, then boil 1.5 cups of water for every cup of dry quinoa. I like to sub a half cup of water for chicken stock, as the quinoa absorbs flavor really well. Stir and cook until liquid is absorbed. I like to fluff up the grains with a fork. Serve on the side or as a main dish.
If you'd like to buy quinoa, here is where I've bought it...(in order of where you can find the best deal.)

- Costco
-WalMart
-Aldi
-Grocery Stores
-Whole Foods/Health Food Stores

Here's some quinoa recipes for you to try too!

Lime Cilantro Quinoa Salad (Sarah Jane, The Fit Cookie)

                                                  

Quinoa Pizza Bake (Amy, Running Escapades

Cheesy Tuna Quinoa (Amy, Running Escapades

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bowl (Sarah Jane, The Fit Cookie)


No-Bake Trail Mix Cookies (Sarah Jane, The Fit Cookie)


Thank you to my fellow #girlsgonesporty , who provided these delicious recipes!

Now it's your turn! What's your favorite quinoa recipe! If you haven't tried quinoa, you should!

Did you try one of these recipes? Let me know! 

Bon appetit!

Julie