Summer Quinoa – An Alkaline Food Superstar

There are many benefits to eating an alkaline diet. Over-acidity in the body can result in chronic health issues, while an alkaline diet can help to prevent these same problems.

Some of the symptoms of an over-acid diet include stubborn weight gain, fatigue and exhaustion, frequent tummy trouble, brain fog, skin problems, gum and teeth problems, a tendency towards getting sick frequently, pain and inflammation, and premature aging.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms problems, most likely you are ACIDIC and incorporating alkaline recipes like the Summer Quinoa into your diet every day is going to help!

What makes it so special?Quinoa (pronounced ‘keen-wah’) is a brilliant food. It is versatile and can be used in to make breakfast porridge, soups, salads, to thicken stir-fries, and is a much better option to rice. In fact, there does not seem to be a limit to this amazing alkaline food that modern researches referring to it as the “super grain”.

Well, quinoa is actually not a grain like most think, but actually a seed from a plant related to spinach, Swiss chard, and beets.

Quinoa comes to us from South America where the ancient Incas and the Indians of the Andes mountains cultivated and revered it, calling it “the mother grain”

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Not only is quinoa higher in protein than other whole grains, but it provides complete protein – meaning all 9 of the essential amino acids we must obtain through our diet, are present.

This is especially helpful to those who are avoiding meat products and need an alternative source of protein. Of the amino acids, quinoa has higher amounts of lysine, cystine, and methionine than other grains. Lysine is important to tissue growth and repair.

Quinoa is a better source of iron than other whole grains, having 4 times the iron as brown rice. Also high in content are calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, E, and B vitamins.

It has another benefit in that it is an alkaline food. This means that it helps the blood to keep a healthy pH level. This is essential for good health.

It is also a complex carbohydrate with a low glycemic index which makes it an excellent food for weight management.

Tips for Eating and Cooking Quinoa:

• Always rinse quinoa. Place quinoa in a strainer, run cold water over it until the entire soapy residue has been washed away. You can taste test a few seeds; if they still have a bitter taste, run more cold water over them. Rubbing the seeds while rinsing with water takes away even more bitterness.
• You may add quinoa to your salad or make Quinoa Morning Porridge(recipe in the Get Off Your Acid 7-Day Cleanse). Also quinoa pudding is a great substitute for brown rice while quinoa flour is a great substitute for your gluten free baking.
• Quinoa can even be popped like popcorn, a treat popular with Peruvian children.
• It is best to store quinoa in an airtight container (will last for 2-3 years) and when cooked, will last in your fridge for 6-7 days.

What many people don’t know about Chickpeas, is that they are rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps stabilize your blood sugar, prevents constipation, and assists in weight loss. They are high in manganese for energy production, and are an excellent source of protein.

Combined with Quinoa, they provide an amount of protein comparable to that of meat or dairy foods without the acidity, high calories, or saturated fats.

Swiss chard is a cousin of kale and packs a nutritional punch by providing over 700% of your daily needs for vitamin K and over 200% of daily vitamin A needs in just one cup. Chard has been known to lower blood pressure, and the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Grab a basket, head to your local farmer’s market, and make this summer favorite for dinner tonight!

Summer Quinoa

Ingredients: (Serves 4)

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups quinoa, rinsed and soaked for 20 minutes
• 4 cloves of garlic minced2 shallots, chopped
• ½ bunch Swiss chard, cut into ribbons
• 1 15oz can of white or garbanzo beans (Eden Organics is a great brand)
• 1 zucchini, grated
• 1 yellow squash, grated
• 1 carrot, grated
• large bunch of basil, cut into ribbons
• ½ cup almond slivers
• zest and juice of one lemon
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

In a pot, combine quinoa, vegetable broth, garlic and shallots. Cook on medium heat for 15 – 20 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy this recipe plus 75 NEW delicious alkaline recipes in my Get Off Your Acid Do-It-Yourself 7-Day Cleanse Program!

Here is what our cleansers are saying:

This program is a game changer in the world of health. If you are in any way “on the fence” about the program, JUMP IN. The recipes are delicious and easy to make. Most of all, Dr. Gioffre is so supportive and accessible. There’s no question that goes unanswered.     –Lisa D.