Thursday, April 18, 2013

Barefootin' It! ~ "Undaunted Courage"




 
I'm Barefootin' It!
with 
over at 
American Expedition!

Where conservation begins!









A resource to help you plan conservation projects with kids!


"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair.-Kahlil Gibran


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Quinoa and Kale Cuties


*I Cook Barefooted!*


I won't lie.
If my mother had tossed one of these babies onto my plate when I was a kid
it would have gone missing, along with the Brussel sprouts and liver,
to that place where all "good for you" food goes when you're a kid.

Yes, that's right... 
It would have gone to "Good For You" Food Heaven!
You might be pleased to know that my taste buds eventually matured,
and I readily stumbled into the land of grownups.  
  It was there that I found these little guys!

Last week I shared with y'all the ABC's of Quinoa;
a wonderfully healthy, light, miraculous little seed.
    These Quinoa and Kale patties are absolutely delicious!

"It's the truth. It's actual. Everything is satisfactual!"
 
I love my berries and bananas for breakfast, believe me I do.
But these are the best treat for a fast and healthy breakfast!
 Try' em! You'll Love' em!
  
***
Quinoa and Kale Cuties!
1 cup quinoa
1 cup chicken broth
4 eggs, whisked
1/3 cup parmesan
3 green onions, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 cup steamed kale, chopped small
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 tsp. olive oil
Caesar dressing

Cook quinoa according to package directions,
using chicken stock instead of water.

In a large bowl, 
mix cooked quinoa with all other ingredients (except olive oil).
Heat olive oil in skillet over med-low heat.
Cover and cook approx. 8-10 minutes,
until a deep rich brown.
Flip.
Cook other side.
Cool.

Dip lightly in Caesar dressing.
Enjoy! 
 



You want reviews?
    How 'bout, 

  Eat Your Vegetables! ヅ






 How 'bout You?
Have a recipe you want to share on 
*I Cook Barefooted!*?
Show some Barefoot Love and...

Send it here:  scarlettcolleen@yahoo.com 
Want to include a photo? Fun!

What's on your table?






“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions.
All life is an experiment.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 *Barefoot Love*Airbrush By, Colleen 
2012

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Quintessential Quirky Quinoa


*I Cook Barefooted!*




The Quinoa Alphabet

Antiseptic: 
The saponins in quinoa are used as an antiseptic in South America.

 Benefits:  
Quinoa is an ancient grain-like seed with many health benefits, 
making it a "superfood".

Carbs
Quinoa is a complex carbohydrate with a low glycemic index, 
so it won't spike your blood sugar. 
    
 Delicious:
Quinoa is a delicious whole grain alternative! Try it... You'll love it!

Edible:
Quinoa leaves are edible, tasting something like Chard.

Funny:
Quinoa has a funny pronunciation: 'keen-wah'. 
Go ahead... Impress and annoy your friends!

Gluten:
Quinoa is gluten-free!

Healthfood:
Today quinoa can be found both IN and OUT of the healthfood aisle!

the letter I:
Quinoa is Intriguing, Inspiring, and Idyllic.

Jars:
Quinoa looks pretty on your counter top in a glass jar.

the letter K:
The 'Q' sounds like a 'K'... kay?

Lower:   
Quinoa is the whitest and the sweetest tasting when grown above 12,500 feet.  
Grown at lower elevations, it is more bittersweet in taste.

Mountainous:
More than 200,000 pounds are grown each year in the Rocky Mountains.

Nutritious:
Quionoa is HIGHLY nutritious,
and has more protein than rice, millet or wheat!

Only 172 calories:
  ...per 1/4 cup dry  quinoa!
That's 24 calories from protein 
only 12 from sugars, 
and the rest are complex carbohydrates, fiber and healthy fats.

Powerfood:
Quinoa is a real powerfood!

Quinoa:
...of course!

Riboflavin:
Riboflavin has been shown to help reduce the frequency of migraines,
and is critical to the breakdown of carbs, fats and proteins into energy.

Saponin:
Quinoa, though highly nutritious, is coated with saponin, which is toxic when injested.
Bob's (Organic) Red Mill Quinoa is the brand I trust.
Their product has been 
"thoroughly rinsed and air dried to remove the naturally occurring bitter saponins".

Tasty:
What are you waiting for?
Trust me... it's good.

Ubiquitous:
Good news travels fast!  What's a few centuries?
The Incans knew to eat the quinoa seeds for more stamina and a quicker recovery time.
Today, quinoa is sold in most grocery stores.

Variety:
Quinoa comes in light yellow, red or black variety.
The taste is said to be a subtle difference between them.
The darker the seed, the earthier the taste.

Wonderful:
What else can I say?

Xanadu:
Oh yes! 
I said, Xanadu.

Years:
...5,000 to be exact. 
That's how many years those Incans in South America
grew quinoa up in the high altitude of the Andes.

Zombie:
I don't know...
Don't be the walking dead.
Eat Quinoa!


Scarlett's 'Keen-wah' Delish

3 uncooked chicken breasts, cut into small strips
3 cups of mixed vegetables (I used Birdseye Normandy Blend)
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2Tbsp. Coconut Oil
2 tsp. Garlic Salt
2 tsp. Table Salt
1 cup of uncooked Quinoa
2 oz. Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 tsp. Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning Blend

Stir-fry your veggies in the coconut oil, 1 tsp. table salt
 and the Mrs. Dash to desired tenderness.
Cut thawed chicken into small strips and stir-fry in the olive oil and garlic salt till no longer pink.
Prepare the Quinoa according to package directions.
(I use Bob's Red Mill Organic Quinoa... pre-rinsed.)
After it's cooked, add parmesan and 1 tsp. table salt to the quinoa.
 Combine veggies, chicken, and quinoa.
Enjoy!

***  
 
   

You want reviews?
    How 'bout, 
  "Keen-wah, Baby! ヅ






 How 'bout You?
Have a recipe you want to share on 
*I Cook Barefooted!*?
Show some Barefoot Love and...

Send it here:  scarlettcolleen@yahoo.com 
Want to include a photo? Fun!

What's on your table?




“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions.
All life is an experiment.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 *Barefoot Love*Airbrush By, Colleen 
2012