My parents both have diabetes and such have been using as many substitutes for carbohydrates as they can.  They eat Quinoa as a substitute for rice and sometimes make other scrumptious dishes with Quinoa.  Quinoa is actually not a grain!  It is seed and related to the spinach family. When cooked, quinoa is light, fluffy, slightly crunchy and subtly flavored. It actually cooks and tastes like a grain, making it an excellent replacement for grains.

My Mom and I decided to make a healthy lunch today – Tabouleh with Quinoa.  We added chick peas for protein.  It was perfect for a hot summer day – here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• Quinoa – 1 1/2 cups – cooked
• 2 pods Garlic chopped
• 1 Red Pepper chopped
• 1 Cucumber chopped
• 1 carrot chopped
• 1 Red Onion chopped
• 1/2 can chickpeas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• Fresh mint, dill, parsley – chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• toasted almonds (for garnish)
• black olives (for garnish)

Method:

• Combine garlic, red pepper, cucumbers, carrots, red onion, chick peas, mint, dill, and parsley in a bowl
• Add quinoa to mixture
• Add lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and mix well
• Garnish with toated almonds and black olives

I only have 2 more weeks until I run my first 10 mile race – looking forward to going back to Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom race and also see my DC friends.  Since I have been training and now running 8 to 10 miles at least 3 days a week my Mom (who is a dietitian) has recommended a diet to ensure I am getting the proper nutrients daily as needed for a runner.  Today she made and delicious Lentil and Barley salad for me after I got back from my 9 mile run.   I thought I would share the recipe for anyone looking for easy, healthy but slightly different recipes.  This salad is not only refreshing and delicious but also great because it consists of grains and vegetables and covers most nutrients including protein, fiber, magnesium, and Vitamin B/C.  I also love anything with a lemony/spicy zest to it- the lemon/cilantro/green chillies combo is always the way to my heart!  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients: (we didn’t measure this – please use measurements to your discretion)

• Barley
• Lentils
• Chopped cucumber
• Chopped tomato
• Chopped red onion
• Chopped carrots
• Chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 can corn
• Chopped Cilantro
• Dill
• Lemon juice
• Chopped green chillies
• Chopped fresh garlic
• Fresh ground cumin
• Pinch of turmeric
• A dash of olive oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

• Cook barley and lentils in a pot of water on medium heat until well cooked (about 20 to 25 minutes)
• Mix all ingredients well in a bowl

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