Live Long Naturally ©2012

Here a grain, there a grain, everywhere a grain grain! Actually, this high-protein grain is a seed. Whatever category it falls under, it packs a mighty nutritional punch! Legend has it that Incan armies used quinoa mixed with fat to make what they called “war balls.” I for one happen to love it for it’s protein content and taste. It’s higher in magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorous and zinc than barley, corn and wheat. A great alternative to rice!

Note** this year I have decided to fast one day a week. This past week, towards the evening of my fast I found myself getting extremely tired! I decided to mix 1/2 cup quinoa with 5 cups water and simmer for 20 minutes. I blended and drank some. Within a half hours time I felt so great I decided to run 3 miles.

Other ways I love to prepare quinoa include: cooking it with garlic and onions and enough water to leave juice. I season lightly with kosher salt, Himalayan salt, or liquid aminos… then melt in some REAL butter when done. I also like to add pieces of kale last minute and top with seaweed – SIMPLY DIVINE!!!

Forget the processed “protein” bars – try quinoa instead!

“If the clothes fit, who cares what the scale says.” This is something I’ve had to tell several of my clients. They literally drive themselves crazy in trying to stay a certain weight day in and day out. So what if you are a pound or two heavier! It could be any number of reasons…

• what you are eating
• water retention
• are regular bowel movements a problem?
• have you begun working out? Muscle is heavier than fat.

It is possible to eat more and weight less. Anyone can lose weight on fewer calories and you don’t need to pay a celebrity endorsed diet program to tell you so!

In the book, The China Study, Dr. Campbell compares the caloric intake of the least active Chinese to that of average Americans. He found the Chinese caloric intake to be 30% higher, yet their body weight was 20% lower than that of the Americans. He came to the conclusion that the “secret” to their optimal weight was that Chinese office workers travel on bicycle and their diet consists of low fat and low-protein. Diets high in fat and protein transfer calories from conversion to storage. Whereas, a low fat and protein diet allow the calories to be lost as heat. This is known as Thermogenesis – the production of body heat during metabolism.

Bicycle riding aside… vegetarians also experience this benefit. They have a higher metabolism at rest – the calories are released via body heat rather than being deposited as body fat. Calories aside… weight gain from excess animal protein is the least of your worries.

I have heard one doctor call high-protein, high-fat, low carbohydrate diets “make yourself sick” diets, and I think that’s an appropriate moniker. You can also lose weight by undergoing chemotherapy or starting a heroine addiction, but I wouldn’t recommend those, either. T. Colin Campbell, PhD