By Claire Diab and Dennis Boyle
You may have seen the new Bud Light commercial that references quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), but despite the commercial likening it to a loofa, the food is actually tasty and nutritious! Quinoa is a grain-like seed that can be easily cooked into a variety of dishes. The seed can be added to soup, pasta, and salad. You can also eat it by itself with a few of your favorite seasonings. In fact, because of its versatility, it was a popular dish among the Incans, who believed that the food gave its warriors power and stamina. They referred to quinoa as the mother of all grains, and it continues to be a popular dish among marathon runners. Although it was believed to be a grain, it is actually a seed of a goosefoot plant, named after the goose-foot-shaped leaves. The seed has a slight nutty flavor and is less bitter when it is washed thoroughly before eating. Quinoa is unique because it is the only plant-based source that contains all of the essential amino acids and is also high in protein and lysine.
Cooking Quinoa Instructions:
- Place quinoa in a saucepan and rinse it.
- Add cold water (use 2 cups for every cup of quinoa).
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Take out of the saucepan and either eat it by itself or add to a dish of your choice.
- Enjoy!
Claire Diab is an internationally recognized Yoga therapist. She is the director of the Yoga Program for the Chopra Center founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. She is an adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University. She is the author of several books and DVDs on Yoga including “Yoga For Firefighters.”
Dennis Boyle is a retired fire director and acting chief with the West Orange (NJ) Fire Department. He was the recipient of the 1999 New Jersey Deputy Fire Chiefs “Fire Officer of the Year” award.
