Getting strong and healthy is critical to your success in life.  Without your health, it is almost impossible to create excellence in other areas of your life.  Most of us are much more positive and productive when we are feeling good.  One way to ensure your health is by watching your diet.  Eating clean is one of the most important things that you can do to ensure that you enjoy a long and healthy life!

One of my favorite clean foods is quinoa.  I first learned about quinoa from Tosca Reno in her Eat Clean Diet and Eat Clean Diet Cookbooks.  At first I thought it must be some crazy healthy food that tasted terrible, but the quinoa recipe was fairly simple so I thought I would give it a try.  After just one time of cooking quinoa I was hooked.  Even better, so were my husband and kids!

It makes me feel great to have them eating such a healthy food.  These tiny seeds are nutritional powerhouses!  They are loaded with low-glycemic carbohydrates as well as an abundance of protein.  Unlike grains, the protein content in quinoa is considered complete.  This means that all eight of the essential amino acids are present in quinoa.  A one cup serving has only 220 calories and 8 grams of protein.  It also provides your body with 5 grams of fiber.  Team your quinoa with a black bean recipe and you have met your daily fiber needs!

Quinoa is an extremely versatile food that can be enjoyed at any meal of the day.  It is great paired with your morning oatmeal but also works well in a quinoa soup or salad.  I love to add in quinoa when I make stir fry!  You can substitute it anywhere that you would normally use rice or couscous.  Why not add quinoa to your healthy diet today?

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