Turkey Quinoa Taco Dinner

We are a TACO TUESDAY family, but lately I have been craving change and wanting to try something new. This weeks recipe was just the change I was looking for. I call it Turkey Quinoa Tacos. The protein from the turkey as well as the quinoa was super filling. I wish I could say I could got my son to eat this one, but it was a mom and dad kind of dinner. There was just too much in this mixture for him to be a fan. I used corn flour tortillas because I eat gluten free, but any kind would work well. May be something fun to make for Cinco De Mayo in the coming days! Enjoy. 
Ingredients 

• 1 pound lean ground turkey (I use 99% lean)
• 1 yellow onion, diced

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 4 ounce can diced green chiles

• 2 teaspoons chili powder

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• Black pepper to taste

• 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

• 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes

• 1/2 cup frozen corn

• 1/4 cup salsa

• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions 

1. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.
2. When the skillet is hot add in the diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes until it starts to soften.
3. Add in the ground turkey and minced garlic and cook until the meat is almost cooked through, breaking it up into crumbles with a spoon as it cooks.
4. Stir in all the spices and the diced green chiles, cooking for another minute.
5. Add in the black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, salsa and quinoa, stirring until everything is combined.
6. When the mixture starts to bubble add in the water, cover the skillet with a lid and lower the heat to medium-low.
7. Simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked, it should still have a slight bite to it, but not be hard and crunchy.
8. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top and cover with the lid cooking until the cheese is melted.
9. Serve as is, in tortillas for tacos

This recipe is awesome as left overs too or you could freeze any extras that you may have. 

Quinoa Chicken Burrito Bowls

A Killer Way To Cook Quinoa

Ingredients
3 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon of butter
Extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 large onion diced
1 red pepper diced
2 cups of yellow corn
Shredded taco cheese
Diced avocado
Cooked Quinoa (I boiled mine in chicken broth for additional flavor)
Salt
Pepper
Cumin
Chilli Powder
2 limes

Directions 
In a separate pan cook quinoa according to the package. Again, I used chicken broth instead of water.
Cut chicken breast into bite size pieces. Add in butter and olive oil and brown chicken.
Season with salt, pepper, cumin and chilli powder. I didn't measure, I just made sure I coated the chicken.
Add in minced garlic. Flip until brown.
Add in the diced onions and peppers. Cook until softened.
Add in cooked corn then quinoa once it has absorbed all of the chicken broth.
Stir, re-season again to your liking and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Squeeze 1 fresh lime over the mixture.
Once you serve the mixture top with taco cheese and diced avocados and enjoy! Garnish with a lime.

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Not Your Momma's Oatmeal....

With my new Hashimoto's diagnosis, I have decided to take the plunge into going gluten free. My doctor is encouraging me to give it a solid three months and see how I feel. After reading the book "The Root Cause." I really began to feel more strongly about this decision. It seems like it should help me to feel significantly better. I have made a commitment to "go all in" for these next three months and then decide afterwards if I plan to continue it. I am keeping a food journal and paying careful attention to how I am feeling after I eat different foods. 

While I already eat pretty clean and low carb, I still would have pasta here and there and enjoyed a warm slice of fresh bread every once in awhile. I realize I am further ahead than many would be when it comes to going gluten free, but I still have my work cut out for me. 

When I was doing my meal plan for this coming week, I wanted to try some new recipes and this breakfast bowl was one of the first ones I went after. Here is how I made it: 

Ingredients 

Plain quinoa 

Pure maple syrup 

1/2 ripe banana 

Small handful of organic blackberries 

Natural peanut butter 

1 teaspoon of chia seeds 

Organic cinnamon 

Directions

Cook quinoa according to the package 

Once the water is absorbed add in 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter and 1 teaspoon of pure organic maple syrup. 

Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon into the mixture then stir 

Once you place the quinoa mixture into the bowl top with bananas, blackberries and chia seeds 

Drizzle natural peanut butter over the top and enjoy! 

If you would like to learn more about the health benefits of quinoa you can also check out this awesome article about the 7 benefits from including quinoa into your diet. Check here to check it out! 

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