Toasted Quinoa

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Good morning.  Another day, another To-Do List! 🙂

 

I’m going to run 6.0 miles later, but I wanted to start my morning off on the “right foot,” so to speak.  I did a little strength training in my living room:

 

  • 30 push-ups
  • 10 10-second wall squats
  • 100 bicycle crunches

 

One thing I do NOT like about marathon training is that strength training has completely fallen by the wayside!  If you read my blog six  months ago, you’d know I use to do a mini strength routine like this every morning! I miss it and want to re-integrate it into my schedule.

 

Breakfast was delicious!

IMG_3536

Toasted Quinoa

 

Ingredients:

 

  • 1/3 cup dry quinoa
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

 

Directions:

 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Wash quinoa and drain.
  • Mix quinoa with remaining ingredients.
  • Spread quinoa out on baking sheet and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve over yogurt with fruit.

IMG_3543

Such a pretty (and tasty!) breakfast.

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Off to cram for my Anatomy final… I cannot wait for class to be over, truthfully.  🙂

 

Toasted quinoa is being added to the new Recipe page!

 

The first step toward change is acceptance. Once you accept yourself, you open the door to change. That’s all you have to do. Change is not something you do, it’s something you allow. ~Will Garcia

{ 63 comments }

 

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is December 8, 2009, 8:49 am

    I love quinoa, but have never had it toasted. It sounds really good!

  • megan December 8, 2009, 8:55 am

    I did a strength routine this morning too! well, I did level 1 of the 30 day shred, and it basically killed my arms once again. I’ve lost so much strength/endurance…

  • Julie @savvyeats December 8, 2009, 8:57 am

    I’ve had toasted quinoa, but for dinner, not breakfast. It is one of my favorite grains, so I don’t know why I never thought of this idea before. Genious!

  • Amy Reinink December 8, 2009, 8:58 am

    Looks delish! I keep meaning to give quinoa — I tried it once, but didn’t really add anything to it, making it seem sort of bland (duh …). Thanks for the recipe!

  • Katie December 8, 2009, 9:05 am

    awesome. you should probably market and sell your toasted couscous as vegan gluten-free granola…

  • Katie December 8, 2009, 9:06 am

    iiiiiii mean quinoa

  • Jessie (Vegan-minded) December 8, 2009, 9:06 am

    I have never had quinoa for breakfast but I am going to give it a try now. I like the idea of toasting it in the oven, it looks delicious that way!

  • Carolyn December 8, 2009, 9:08 am

    Havea good run!!

  • Brie (The Fit Bride) December 8, 2009, 9:09 am

    Good luck on your test!

  • Lori (Finding Radiance) December 8, 2009, 9:19 am

    What a great idea! I have some quinoa and that would be so good on yogurt instead of granola!

  • Susan December 8, 2009, 9:19 am

    Good luck on your test and run!
    You’ve inspired me to do some strength training in the morning now too. It’s so quick, and it beats trekking through the snow to the gym.

  • Laura December 8, 2009, 9:21 am

    Operation Beautiful on FitSugar: http://www.fitsugar.com/5988826

  • Chari December 8, 2009, 9:23 am

    One thing I’ve learned is that strength training really helps with endurance. Nothing like having well-developed legs and skinny sticks for arms! 😉

  • jds December 8, 2009, 9:25 am

    this might be a silly question… but do you have to cook the quinoa first?

    • caitlin December 8, 2009, 9:25 am

      nope, just rinse!

  • Rose December 8, 2009, 9:27 am

    Love that quote.

  • Madeline @ GreensAndJeans December 8, 2009, 9:28 am

    I love quinoa. I try to make up a bunch on Sunday so I can toss it into dishes all week!

  • Karen December 8, 2009, 9:30 am

    I love quinoa! I will have to try it toasted.

    FYI Fitsugar (www.fitsugar.com) did a story on Operation Beautiful today!

  • Karla December 8, 2009, 9:33 am

    Yum!! I’m making quinoa today for a pot luck! The recipe should be on my blog in a few hours 🙂

  • VeggieGirl December 8, 2009, 9:38 am

    LOVE that quote at the end.

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers December 8, 2009, 9:38 am

    i still haven’t tried regular quinoa & now i gotta try your baked kind too! it’s on my own “to do” list. 😉

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg December 8, 2009, 9:40 am

    That was one of the only things I hated about training for that half-maratahon– my strength training basically went down the toilet.

    Have a great day! That quinoa looks awesome.

  • Britt - Runnerbelle December 8, 2009, 9:42 am

    I made sure that with my fall marathon I kept my strength training up and it really does help. I did scale back the week or so before the race though. I aim for at least 2-3 days per week.

  • Evan Thomas December 8, 2009, 9:44 am

    Great quote

  • alli December 8, 2009, 9:48 am

    oh that looks so GOOD!
    i like to squeeze in extra strength stuff while im watching tv. do a different exercise through each commercial. it’s fun to do especially when im watching the biggest loser 🙂 {cant WAIT for the FINALE!!!!}

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) December 8, 2009, 9:48 am

    LOVING your morning quinoa concoctions! Must try one soon 😉

  • Erin December 8, 2009, 9:51 am

    I like that quote — and you’re inspiring me to (maybe) try quinoa from breakfast. 😀

  • Anne Marie@ New Weigh of Life December 8, 2009, 9:54 am

    Good luck on your final! Anatomy class was never one of my favorites!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite December 8, 2009, 10:00 am

    I’ve never had quinoa before! I need to try it!

  • Nicci@NiftyEats December 8, 2009, 10:17 am

    I like this quote, I’m posting it to my FB wall today! Great breakfast as usual!

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner? December 8, 2009, 10:18 am

    I have a huge bag of quinoa in my freezer that I keep forgetting about. Maybe I’ll make some of this to use some up!

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie December 8, 2009, 10:20 am

    I seem to forget about strength training alot. I’m going to try to do at least 20 minutes a day!

    Toasted quinoa! Genius!

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels December 8, 2009, 10:28 am

    Ever since you first posted that toasted quinoa recipe I’ve been meaning to try it, maybe I will give it a go today!

  • Tammy (Defining Wellness) December 8, 2009, 10:39 am

    You know, I’ve been meaning to try quinoa for breakfast for months now — thanks for reminding me! It’s such an awesome grain, especially for vegetarians. Thanks for reminding me — I love your recipe idea!

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing December 8, 2009, 10:40 am

    I’ve never tried toasted quinoa, but it looks really good! Interesting idea to use it for breakfast – I would have always thought of it as more of a lunch/dinner item.

  • Emily Eats and Exercises December 8, 2009, 10:44 am

    Dumb questions: how do you rinse the quinoa? I mean what do you drain it in – all my strainers have holes that are too big, I think the quinoa would just go through.
    I do cook with quinoa and I know you’re supposed to rinse it first, but I never understand…

    • caitlin December 8, 2009, 10:45 am

      i just put the quinoa in the bottom of a dish and fill with water and then slowly pour off the majority of the water and repeat. some quinoa escapes but not a lot.

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat December 8, 2009, 10:52 am

    Yummy breakfast! Good luck on your final 🙂

  • Christie @ Honoring Health December 8, 2009, 10:54 am

    I use a mesh strainer instead and it works really well for tiny things like this.

    Anywho, maybe I should try the toasted quinoa since I don’t like the way it looks cooked.

  • Jenna December 8, 2009, 10:57 am

    your toasted quinoa looks so great!
    jenna

  • Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) December 8, 2009, 11:02 am

    That quote is so true. I need to keep reminding myself of it. When I do, things go better for me (losing weight etc etc) even though it seems counter intuitive.

    Love toasted quinoa, but only have ever pan-toasted it then cooked it as usual in water- gets a nuttier flavor. Will need to try the baking version.

  • brandi December 8, 2009, 11:14 am

    hope you have a good run! I love quinoa, but have never tried it toasted like this.

  • Nancy December 8, 2009, 11:18 am

    Aww! Your breakfast really DOES look pretty in that leaf-bowl thing!

  • Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn December 8, 2009, 11:27 am

    that looks awesome. i have to say, it reminds of millet seed– i used to feed it to my parakeets as a treat (when i was say, 8 years old?). funny. i’d probably eat millet myself now.

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) December 8, 2009, 11:34 am

    I really like that quote!!! Have a great day!

  • Sana December 8, 2009, 11:35 am

    Good luck on your finalll! Rock it out!!!

  • Katie - Life Discombobulated December 8, 2009, 11:38 am

    I love that quote! Thanks! : )

  • Janna (Just Flourishing) December 8, 2009, 11:39 am

    I love love love quinoa. It’s my favorite.

    Never tried it toasted… or for breakfast. There’s always a time for firsts!

  • muffy December 8, 2009, 11:41 am

    ugghhh i have my anatomy lab practical tonight so i feel your pain!

  • Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama December 8, 2009, 11:47 am

    I like the new recipe page!

  • Ellen December 8, 2009, 12:12 pm

    I agree, strength training always makes you feel good, but it’s hard to fit into your routine. Especially when you’re running so much! Your breakfast looks delicious–as always. Here’s what I had this am: http://firednfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/12/whats-your-breakfast-of-champions.html

  • Chrysta December 8, 2009, 12:29 pm

    wow! what a cool idea! Thanks so much. That looks delish!

  • Erin December 8, 2009, 1:14 pm

    ooo, i really needed that quote this morning

  • Meredith December 8, 2009, 1:16 pm

    Caitlin, regarding one of your earlier posts, I’m sorry to say they don’t allow drinking on the Tube anymore! Starting June 1, 2008 the mayor banned it. The day before that there was a huge party on the Tube all day and night and everyone just drank and rode around and around. You can read about it here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/borisjohnson/2060924/Carnage-during-Tube-alcohol-party.html. Either way I love the Tube too!

  • Elizabeth December 8, 2009, 1:26 pm

    I worked at McDonald’s for my first job at 16. 🙂

  • Paige December 8, 2009, 5:24 pm

    I helped out at my Dad’s office in 7th grade. I filed and made copies. Exciting times!

  • Theorist December 8, 2009, 5:47 pm

    recipe page? YAY!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 8, 2009, 10:21 pm

    I am so glad you started a recipe page! Saves me from having to search for your baked tofu and other recipes whenever I need them!

  • Katie December 9, 2009, 1:41 am

    I’ve gotta tell you, I work at a great restaurant…fine dining and expensive! I couldn’t resist having a breakfast for dinner moment and making this at work! So after running around all night, I made this (sort of!) the grinder was full of pepper, so I just used whole flax (I know it doesn’t have the same culinary properties, but hey, healthy!) and wasout of maple, so I hit the bar up for some agave.

    Well, I mushed all of the deliciousness in a hurry, as I was starving, and thank goodness it was delish! Everyone who tried it lived it. We have an open kitchen, and I even had 3 guys ask if they could try it. They all said, “I want this for breakfast!” success!

    Thanks so much for posting thi. Fellow cooks, foodies, and super healthy servers loved it alike!

  • Lana December 10, 2009, 11:20 pm

    I made this today and it was delicious!!! Warm and comforting…what any great breakfast should be!!! Thanks for the quinoa inspiration. Tomorrow I will be making toasted quinoa and can’t wait!!

  • Lana December 10, 2009, 11:21 pm

    Opps..^^meant to post that on the ‘Breakfast Quinoa’ page^^

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