In order to set us up properly for the day, it’s important to nourish ourselves in the morning. If we begin our day with an imbalanced meal, this leads to blood sugar imbalances for the rest of the day. This will result in cravings, mood swings and anxiety, caused by blood sugar spiking and crashing. Skipping breakfast sets the body into starvation mode so that it stores everything as fat the next time we eat.
Quinoa is one of the best sources of nutrition around. It is loaded with fibre, protein, minerals and vitamins. It is excellent for providing us with energy for the day and is also great for those who are intolerant to gluten and dairy.
Most conventional cereals are loaded with chemicals, colourings and other artificial ingredients. These are toxic to our body and lead to many chronic ailments over the years. Unfortunately, even the cereals that look healthy are often laden with “fake” food that has been made in a lab. As a test, start to read ingredient lists more often. Avoid the statement on the front of the box that may say “High in Fibre” or “Low in Sugar”. Instead, go straight to the ingredient list. Avoid anything you can’t imagine in front of you – gelatin, modified milk ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, potassium chloride and caramel colouring. Even “natural flavours” don’t necessarily mean that they are natural. These are marketing words that the companies use to sound healthier than they are.
Breakfast Quinoa Recipe
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp nutmeg
1 apple, chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup gogi berries
1/8 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
These ingredients are approximate so feel free to add more or less, depending on your taste.
Rinse the quinoa well with water. If you have the time, soak it before to increase digestibility. Add the quinoa and water to a pot and turn to high heat. Once it boils, cover and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg halfway through. Once the quinoa in finished, add it to a baking dish and sprinkle with chopped apple, sesame seeds, dried cranberries and gogi berries. Add more cinnamon and nutmeg if desired. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes. Add the pumpkin seeds after because they have a high omega-3 content and are sensitive to heat. Enjoy with a dollop of organic plain yogurt or drizzled with raw honey.
