Orange Quinoa Salad

Quinoa pronounced "keen-waah" was one of the first new foods I tried when I started eating a clean whole foods diet. Now that I follow a gluten free diet it sits center stage as a go to grain and side for several meals a week. Most brand's require you to pre-rinse in cold water and drain your quinoa before cooking to rid it of its bitter taste. I use Nature's Earthly Choice  Organic Quinoa which I purchase at Costco and it requires no rinsing. This little seed was a staple to the ancient Incas and was called the "mother grain." 

Sweet Potato Stuffed Acorn Squash ( gluten free,dairy free)

Photo by Rich

My local Publix Greenwise Market makes this delicious stuffed acorn squash and inspired today's recipe. This recipe maybe a little too involved for your typical weeknight dinner, but it would make a great dish to impress company or addition to your next holiday meal!

Sweet Potato Stuffed Acorn Squash         

Photo by Rich

• 1 acorn squash
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• honey for drizzling
• 2 TBS almond milk
• 3 TBS turbinado or rapadura sugar
• 1 large sweet potato baked & peeled
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash acorn squash and cut in half long ways then scoop out seeds and discard. Place squash cut side up in a glass rimmed baking dish and fill with 1/4" of water. Sprinkle each half of squash with 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and drizzle honey on top. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour until tender. Meanwhile beat sweet potato with remaining 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 TBS sugar, and milk until smooth. In separate bowl beat egg whites, vanilla extract,  tartar, and 2 TBS of sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold egg whites into sweet potato mixture. Line a rimmed baking dish (that can be placed under broiler) with parchment paper and place cooked acorn squash cut sides facing up. Stuff sweet potato mixture into acorn squash ( I used my pampered chef Easy Accent Decorator to get the pretty swirl.) Broil until sweet potato is set and golden. Watch to make sure it doesn't burn.

Today's Workout Blip:

Today I totally trashed my shoulders. One exercise I did today to work my shoulders and lats was single arm dumbbell rows with 30 lbs for 3 sets of 12 reps per arm (yikes!) Today I again did my Get in Shape Girl Bikini Plan  step mill workout. I have to confess I enjoyed it and am falling in love with the step mill!

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Until next time stay strong and carry on!

Brooklynn