1. Honey Mustard Red Quinoa Salad This recipe uses red quinoa which was once reserved for royalty. Not only is it delicious but it is ideal for those who have celiac disease and eating vegetarian or vegan diets. Quinoa provides lysine unlike most grains making it a complete protein. A fourth of a cup will provide you with 20% of your daily value of fiber, 25% of folate, 20% magnesium 15% riboflavin and 10% of Iron, thiamin, vitamin B6 and phosphorus.  Ingredients:  1 cup Dry Quinoa 2 cups Vegetable Broth 3 Green Onions, chopped 1/2 Red Onion, chopped 1/4 cup Parsley, chopped Optional: Feta Cheese Dressing: 1 Tbsp Raw Honey 2 Tbsp Brown Mustard 1 Lime, juiced 4 Tbsp Rice Vinegar 4 Tbsp Flax Seed oil 2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seeds 2 tsp Salt Instructions:  Add broth and quinoa into a pot and bring to a boil.   Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, till liquid is absorbed. Set aside to cool. In a jar combine honey, mustard, lime juice, rice vinegar, flax seed oil, ground flax seed and salt, shake to mix throughly.  In a large bowl combine quinoa, parsley and onions; drench with dressing. Mix throughly to distribute the dressing.  Chill before serving and top with feta cheese.
  2. Watermelon Smoothie Watermelon is something of a bedroom fruit. Not only is it charming to the taste buds but it nourishes the body with fiber, vitamin A, the B’s and C, along with several other nutrients including lycopene and citrulline.  What is citrulline you ask? Citrulline is an amino acid whose name comes from the Latin word for watermelon, citrullus. That is not the exciting part though. Watermelon is the richest known source for this amazing antioxidant which is used as a natural alternative to Viagra [1]. Watermelon is also rich in the antioxidant lycopene which gives watermelon it’s energetic color [2]. This carotenoids plays a role in the prevention of several diseases including prostate cancer [3], coronary heart disease and aids in the health of our eyes [4]. As an added bonus to this smoothie I like to add maca root. Maca root is a highly nutritious food containing protein and several minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and potassium [5]. This Peruvian staple has been used for centuries to improve libido and fertility [6]. Combined with watermelon, or swap out the maca root and nutritional yeast for a little vodka and you have a recipe for making whoopie. Ingredients: 2 cups Watermelon, cubed & frozen 1 Tbsp Raw Agave Syrup 5 Mint leaves 1 tsp Ginger, minced 1/4 cup Yogurt Optional: 1/2 Tbsp Maca Powder 1/2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast Instructions: I buy a fresh watermelon, chop it up, then place in the freezer for later use. This way you do not need to add ice, and your smoothie does not become too watery. When ready for a smoothie, place all the ingredients in a blender.  Blend till smooth. Serve right away or place in freezer till ready to serve. References: 1. Rimando, A. M., & Perkins-Veazie, P. M. (2005). Determination of citrulline in watermelon rind. Journal of Chromatography , 1078, 196-200. 2. Oms-Oliu, G., Odriozola-Serrano, I., Soliva-Fortuny, R. S., & Martin-Belloso, O. (2009). Effects of high-intensity pulsed electric field processing conditions on lycopene, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity of watermelon juice. Food Chemistry , 115, 1312-1319. 3. Jayaprakasha, G. K., Chidambara, K. N., & Patil, B. S. (2011). Rapid HPLC-UV method for quantification of L-citrulline in watermelon and its potential role on smooth muscle relaxation markers. Food Chemistry , 127, 240-248. 4. Fraser, P. D., & Bramley, P. M. (2004). The biosynthesis and nutritional uses of carotenoids. Progress in lipid research , 43, 228-265. 5. Rondan-Sanabria, G. G., & Finardi-Filho, F. (2009). Physical-chemical and functional properties of maca root starch (Lepidium meyenii Walpers). Food Chemistry , 114 (2), 492-498. 6. Lentz, A., Gravitt, K., Carson, C. C., & Marson, L. (2007). ACute and chronic dosing of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on male rat sexual behavior. THe Journal of Sexual Medicine , 4, 332-340.

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