Quinoa with kale, zucchini, pepper, tomatoes, feta and so much more!

Quinoa is one of my favorite grains.  It is also gluten free and full of protein.  You can buy it in a box at Kroger or Walmart and use it as you would use rice.  Quinoa is a very good source of manganese, a mineral that serve as a cofactor for the superoxide dismutase enzyme. Superoxide dismutase is an antioxidant that helps to protect the mitochondria from oxidative damage created during energy production as well as guard other cells, such as red blood cells, from injury caused by free radicals.

Quinoa has a low glycemic index which means it will make you feel full longer!  This next recipe really is just throwing things together and can have about every ingredient.  I was craving something "Asian" so this is my version of Quinoa. 

Chop up the following

Half bell pepper

Half Zucchini

1 cup celery

1 small onion

1 cup kale

Make Quinoa according to package directions and have handy to add all other ingredients at the end.

Saute all ingredients in sauce pan with 3 tablespoons of olive oil.  Sprinkle sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and parsley to taste.

Add can of salt free diced tomatoes and saute until all veggies are tender.  I also added about 1/2 tablespoon of reduced sodium soy sauce. 

All veggies to quinoa and toss!  Look how beautiful this is!

I also added some chopped avocados, diced red onions and cucumbers at the end.  Oh how can I forget the feta cheese.

Here is the end result!  So tasty

For those of you who like tofu (ME) I also added some baked tofu.   Cut up tofu in cubes, sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder and bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.

Here are the nutrition benefits!

Celery - natural detoxifier.  It contains a group of chemicals called coumarins which are the same compounds that fill the smell of freshly mowed grass.  It is also high in magnesium which helps with muscle contraction.

Onions - Onions have a rich source of the antioxidant called quercetin.  They also believed to have potent anti-inflammatory components especially to relieve joint pain. 

Tomatoes - are very rich in a powerful antioxident called lycopene which can help prevent prostate cancer and protect the skin against sun damage.