“Organic Quinoa Italian Salad”

Here is a tasty salad that’s very filling and full of great nutrition. Similar to a Greek salad but with Italian seasoning. Organic quinoa contains lots of protein making a very important for building muscle. And all the veggies are full of live enzymes to boost up your immune system. And this salad only takes a few minutes to put together. Plus this salad is full of powerful anti-inflammatory compounds.

Ingredients for Salad:

2 - Cups of Cooked Organic Quinoa

2 - Large Organic Tomatoes - Chopped

2 - Medium Organic Cucumbers - Chopped

2 - Cups of Organic Celery - Chopped

2 - Cups of Cooked Organic Carrots - Chopped

1 - Cup of Organic Cauliflower - Chopped

2 - Cups of Organic Kale - Chopped

2 - Large Organic Red Bell Peppers - Chopped

1 - Large Organic Portobello Mushroom - Chopped

(Optional) - 1 - Cup of Organic Black Olives - Chopped

(Optional) - A Little Hot Pepper Sauce

Ingredients for dressing:

2 - Tablespoons of Organic Italian Seasoning

1/2 - Cup of Filtered Water

1/3 - Teaspoon or so of Xanthan Gum Powder

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Take the quinoa and the chopped veggies and mix well, then take the Italian seasoning, filtered water, salt and pepper, and xanthan gum and mix them in a blender until it starts to thicken just a bit. Then pour over the salad.

That’s It!

Serves 12 People

Health Benefits of Organic Quinoa

Pronounced as “Keen – Wah” it’s a highly nutritious seed.

Organic – Almost all quinoa is organic even the big box stores now have organic quinoa and it’s a very versatile.

Non-GMO – All quinoa is non-GMO… and I hope it stays that way.

Quick Cooking – Quinoa is so simple to cook, just add your quinoa to your sauce pan and then add water to cover and bring to a boil. When the water gets down to the level of the quinoa turn off the heat and cover and let set for 20 minutes… then fluff with a fork. Just about all quinoa is now pre-rinsed to remove the sticky saponins that are bitter.

Relatively Low Glycemic Index – Quinoa has a low glycemic index.

Good Weight Loss Food – Quinoa has lots of fiber and it also helps to boost up your metabolism making it a good weight loss food. But it also has carbs so eat quinoa in moderation.

Fiber – quinoa contains about twice as much fiber when compared to all the other grains. Thus making it a good way to boost up fiber intake and create a good environment for the growth of probiotic bacteria… thus boosting up your immune system.

Protein – Quinoa contains 8 grams per cup of protein which very good for a grain… thus making it a high protein. It also has the amino acids “lysine and isoleucine” which most grains don’t contain. Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids making it a complete food because it also has carbs… making it a good source of protein and energy for vegetarians.

High in Antioxidants – Quinoa is higher in powerful antioxidants and flavonoids than almost all the grains, thus it helps to prevent disease, slow the aging process, prevents and repairs DNA damage. Quinoa helps to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and other diseases. And quinoa contains kaempferol and quercetin which are powerful flavonoids.

Omega Oils – Quinoa contains omega 3 fatty acids which are great for inflammation and heart health.

Lowers Cholesterol – Studies show that Quinoa lowers LDL or bad cholesterol while maintaining good or HDL cholesterol levels… also, helps to lower triglycerides.

Anti-Inflammatory – Quinoa contains a good amount of anti-inflammatory compounds compared to other grains thus making it a healthy choice if you have inflammation going on.

Allergenic – Quinoa is one of the best alte
atives for those who suffer from food allergies. Not many people have any problem with quinoa. But quinoa does contain some oxalates.

Alkalizing – Quinoa helps to alkalize the body and thus stave off disease. Acid in the body is one of the first things that happens to cause inflammation and disease.

Diabetes – Quinoa significantly lowers blood sugar levels compared other grains like rice and wheat.

Contains – Iron and copper for anemia, zinc to help fight off colds and flues, calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, potassium for water regulation and heart health, magnesium to help you relax, manganese for enzyme production, plus B vitamins for good mood and vitality, Vitamin E for sexual health and inflammation… and Vitamin C which is a great antioxidant.

Gluten Free – Like many other grains and seeds, quinoa is gluten free which is great for those who have celiac disease or have gluten sensitivity.

Taste – I love the nutty crunchy flavor of quinoa. My wife likes quinoa more than any other grain on the market… and that’s saying a lot.

Versatile – Quinoa can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can spice it up with cinnamon for breakfast, add Southweste
spices for lunch, and add Italian spices for dinner. Instead of rice use quinoa… it works great for just about any dish and it’s very quick and simple to cook.

Also, you can add quinoa to soups, stews, casseroles, it can be made into pasta and you can find quinoa pasta in stores. Quinoa can even be popped, makes a good alte
ative to popcorn. Google “Quinoa Recipes” and lots of great tasting recipes will come up.

Enjoy this delicious salad!

Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist