Quinoa

http://ranchogordo.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451fd1569e20111685ecc79970c-400wi

I've known about quinoa for quite a while but I've never actually eaten it until recently when I thought I'd try some for the heck of it. At first the smell of it threw me off while it was boiling, but I guarantee you it tastes much better than it smells. It has a slight fluffy and subtle crunch to it.

Quinoa is an an ancient grain thought to originate from South America and considered "the gold of the Incas". Apart from being a great source of manganese, magnesium, iron and copper, what sets this grain apart is its complete amino acid profile comprised of all 9 essential amino acids, making it a great choice for vegetarians and vegans. Its high content of the amino acid lysine makes it very effective at tissue growth and repair.

Quinoa has been shown to help reduce migraines thanks to its high levels of magnesium which aid in relaxing blood vessels.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=142&tname=foodspice

It's very easy to cook and really versatile.

Add a cup of quinoa to a boiling pot and fill it with water till the quinoa is just covered and bring to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid or plate and once it starts boiling reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes. It can be added to salads, oatmeal, anything really. I usually add some tuna and veggies to a cup of quinoa and have that for lunch. Either way, experiment and if you have come up with any good recipes let me hear them!