Turkey Confetti Quinoa- E

I've been looking back through some of my recipes here and I realize that most fall into the quick and easy category.  This seems odd to me as it feels like I spend a decent portion of my day making meals.
I do not consider myself a purist when it comes to food, but I do usually cook meals and don't take shortcuts on a daily basis.
This recipe takes a bit more preparation, and the actual recipe is pretty short and to the point.  Yes, there are ways to make it quicker and all that, but I figured instead of giving the convenience way, I'd show the homecook way.

This recipe is a version of a quinoa dish I used to make when I was a vegetarian.  Confetti Quinoa was featured in The New Laurel's Kitchen.  It's a great book if you just want to learn about cooking whole foods or bread, but this recipe needed a little something else to make it special and more of a meal.
I also realize that turkey leftovers will soon be here, and I thought, what better than to turkey-fy this vegan version?
I  found a couple of naturally lean turkey breasts on clearance at my store, and cooked them with a bit of water in the slow-cooker.  This was good not just for the meat which was pulled from the bone and cut  into small pieces, but it also gave me stock to use as well.
After the turkey cooked for a few hours till done, I strained the leftover liquid to use as turkey stock.  I just put it in the fridge for a bit so that any fat can be removed.  Now it can go in a variety of recipes (and if your stock congeals like gelatin when cold, then congratulations!  This just means that it contains collagen and is even more nutritious than you thought).  Homemade stock doesn't have to be hard or contain a bunch of ingredients.  It can be simple, but is still healthy and nutritious.

The first step involves cooking the quinoa.  It can be bitter so you want to make sure you rinse it well before cooking.  About 1 cup uncooked will yield 3 cups cooked.  You may use just water to cook the quinoa, but the turkey stock will add a better flavor (and more nutrition) to the final dish.







Turkey Confetti Quinoa-E

Makes 4 very generous servings with each having: Cal 276, carbs 41 grams, fat 7 grams, protein 15 grams.  6 servings and a side salad would also be a good E choice with a low-fat dressing. 

1 cup quinoa
3 cups turkey stock or water (or a combination of both)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup water chestnuts (one small can), diced
12 oz cooked turkey, diced

• Bring stock/water to a boil and add rinsed quinoa and salt.
• Turn to a simmer and allow to cook over med-low heat  for about 15-20 minutes.  Stir and check as needed so that it doesn't cook dry (like you would with rice).  
• In a large skillet, heat oil over med-high heat and saute onions, red and green bell peppers, and garlic until softened (but not mushy) for about 5-10 minutes.
• Add the cooked quinoa, cooked turkey, and water chestnuts and stir over low heat until warmed through.  
• Taste to check seasoning and add more salt if needed.

This post is shared with Gwen's Nest for Trim, Healthy Tuesday  and Stacy Makes Cents for Centsibly Sugar and Grain Free

Morning Sunshine!-FP

You know I love smoothies, both green and pink, but some times I'll admit that I have a hard time making myself just have one.
You see, I'm not a natural veggie or fruit eater.
Many people know me as the person who is always on them about getting in those vegetables, but in truth, it is mainly because I know I need to hear those words myself.  It's easy to focus so much on protein and grains and treats, but vegetables really should be the core to most eating plans in my opinion.  They are what make you feel full and have so much nutrition.
But making sure I get them daily is many times a struggle.

So I'll admit that I've been in a veggie funk lately.  Nothing seems good, everything tastes the same or I've eaten it a million times.
Smoothies even seem kind of old and tired.

And then I saw a new Trim, Healthy Mama drink on the facebook page.  I started to read the directions and they were soooo long and seemed to have so many steps......
Sorry, but this just isn't my style.
I need quick and to the point.

But the drink did inspire me.
Why not take a drink idea and make a smoothie?
Lemons?  No need to peel and cut and slice.  Cut it in half and throw it in is how it do it.  The seeds and peel and pith all have their value and that's part of why I have a Blendtec.
I will add that my Ninja handled whole citrus quite well too.

I also opened up my copy of the Green Smoothie Girl's book with a bunch of recipes and inspiration.
Inspiration is always a good thing, but I really just wanted simple with a little sour and a little bitter and a touch of sweet to take the edge off.

So often smoothie means greens or berries to people, but this one is a lovely, zingy gold.  Like a cup of sunshine.
I kept it Fuel Pull-FP but it might hint at Energizing-E due to the grapefruit, but 1/2 of a grapefruit makes an S-helper so I translate 1/4 as within parameters.  I also left out any protein as I wanted to make a large container to sip on for several hours and to have pre- and post- workout for electrolyte and mineral replacement.  Feel free to use it with or as a meal with the added protein.
I've also been craving bitter and sour lately, and my husband who loves smoothies, thought this was a little too sour for his tastes.  Adjust the seasonings for yours.

Morning Sunshine-FP

1/2 lemon, cut in half
1/4 grapefruit, cut in a few pieces (I do NOT peel my citrus or remove seeds before using as there is a lot of nutrition present, but feel free to do so if you like!)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
generous dash of Redmond RealSalt
1/2-1 tsp coconut oil
Dash of NuNaturals Pure, or a comparable stevia
1 quart filtered water
1 cup ice

Combine all in your Blendtec, or other high powered blender, and mix on Whole Juice setting or until liquified.


This smoothie is the perfect base for customizing.  Add in berries or other fruits and veggies as you have them around.
My favorite is to add in a handful of blueberries, but while you'd think yellow+blue = green, this makes a nice rosy-pink drink.

This post is shared at Stacy Makes Cents and Gwen's Nest for Trim, Healthy Tuesday.  Check her out for more great THM links!

Elderberry Elixer

There are few areas where you find experts in a field, that you don't also find larger than life egos.  One place I that I think that is the exception is the herbal community.
There are people who are so knowledgeable, yet they don't have pretenses that they know it all or that their way is the only one.  They seem to have a respect for different points of view that modern medicine is seriously lacking.

I almost went off on the growing divide between the medical establishment and the herbal community, but there's no real need.  As someone who was in medicine, I actually prefer the view from the herbal side at this point in my life.   

  
What I love the most about the herbal community is the fact that so many practicing herbalists are giving and have a real desire to see health and healing.  But they are open to the definition of what healing can be.

Herbalists offer an alternative approach that often puts the burden of discovery partially upon the person seeking healing.  
I love the fact that in her book,  New Menopausal Years : The Wise Woman Way, Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90 , Susun Weed has a potential first step of action is to do nothing, if that is your choice.  She gets that just because things aren't perfect, doesn't mean it requires repair.  I think that doctors feel pressure to 'do something' when you go to them, and I know that many patients feel cheated if they don't get a pill or a MRI with each visit.
But to do nothing is sometimes good.

I also feel respected as a person by most herbalists.  I don't feel talked down to or belittled for my point of view or lack of skills.  I feel encouraged and empowered by them.  I might not be given the simple answer, but I will be directed so that I can learn and grow.  They often see life more as a process, not as just the black or white, that there aren't limited choices.

What I often find the most surprising is that most herbalist are so open to sharing what they have learned.  There's not a lot of secrecy regarding remedies and even if they have items for sale that they have written, very often they will put it online for you to freely use.  I have a lot of respect for people who are just wanting to help, educate and heal.

Elderberries combined with elder flowers and honey 

That is also why I do try to buy as many books and publications that I can from those herbalists who I've learned so much from.  I think that what you put into the world is very important, and it's important to remember to be giving.

So today I'm wanting to share a wonderful site that has a ton of articles to stimulate your mind.

With all of our rain in Georgia, my elderberries are ripe and ready to pick.  I got almost a quart of them yesterday and decided to try Kiva Rose's recipe for Elder Mother Immune Elixer.
She has a great site and also offers a subscription to Plant Healer Magazine with a free trial issue also available for download.

Sitting in a cool, shady place to steep.

I've used her recipe for my elderberries.  You can see the elder flowers I harvested a few months ago floating in there as well.  I used some local, raw honey to top and a clear rum in place of brandy.
Now I just have to wait a month or so to use.

Please check out Kiva Rose's website for the specifics, and enjoy looking through the wealth of knowledge and information that she has to share.