Quick and Healthy Breakfast:
Quinoa Oatmeal with Banana, Cranberries, and Almonds

Quinoa (pronounced: keen-wah) is a great easy healthy breakfast option. Once considered 'mother of all grains' by the ancient Incas, it's especially high in protein and contains all essential amino acids making it a terrific grain for vegetarians.

Quinoa has a light, fluffy texture and slightly nutty flavor when cooked, making it a perfect high protein alternative to oatmeal.

Quinoa Oatmeal Recipe Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups milk or soy milk or 1 cup milk and 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon honey, pure maple syrup, or agave syrup
• 1 banana, slice
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• Extra milk for serving

Quinoa Oatmeal Recipe Instructions
Place the quinoa in a sieve and rinse well under cold running water. Scrape the rinsed quinoa into a saucepan and add the milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the dried cranberries and cinnamon and simmer for 8-10 minutes more, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the sweetener of your choice.

Serve in small bowls with banana slices, a dollop of yogurt, a sprinkle of sliced almonds and a little more milk, if desired.

Servings: 4

Variation
Add 1 cup fresh or frozen diced peaches with the dried cranberries. Top with a sprinkle of ground flaxseed and 2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts instead of the bananas and almonds.