Quinoa Or Chocolate?

Well the days of detoxing have ended......that is until next Spring; when the flowers are in full bloom, I shall find myself embarking on another journey of cleansing my organs.

I have to say after this 21 day cleanse, I wasn't craving anything that could possibly be thought of as naughty!

All quite suitable in fact, the type of ingredients that one is proud to crave. Quinoa and Spinach, no Chocolate, no Coffee, no Sugar, OH MY!

With my work, I'm surrounded by one of the world's finest organic fair-trade chocolates and I still don't eat nearly as much as I used to.

I'm constantly surrounded by delicious scents wafting up from the roasting of cocoa beans or the creation of a new confection flavor and if anything this helps with cravings as opposed to feeding into the craving.

In fact during the detox cleanse, I loved (well I always thoroughly enjoy this) but I ABSOLUTELY LOVED brewing coffee for Travis! The dark, earthiness of the coffee beans, the rich intoxicating scent of the hot water hitting the ground beans.....awwwww.

Detox Nibbles

Here is a peek at the dishes I've been creating lately for the Detox.
Recipes will soon follow.

Shredded Chicken & Cabbage Slaw

Chickpea Salad

Lemon Basil Toasted Quinoa & Millet

Welcome To Detoxville

My mom and I are in the middle of a Detox Purification Program. We've created a barter system, I plan all of the menus and cook all allergen-free dishes and she supplies me with the cleansing supplements.

In the real world, outside of Detoxville, I've been put to the test. I've baked several batches of brownies for family and I recently visited a local chocolate store with loads of samples; none of which I even attempted to eat, as I distracted myself with the deliciously scented body lotions and facial cleansers!! This my fellow blog readers is HUGE for me! As I eat chocolate daily!

On my shopping/cooking days I find I don't have a lot of time to feed myself so I stop at our local natural foods market and pick up their Red Lentil Patties with a side of Cilantro Sauce. They are a perfect power snack. They also work beautifully as an appetizer or stack up well served with a spinach salad for a main dish. I've decided to replicate the little delicacies, let me know what you think!

Eat Your Sea Veggies

Arame is what I like to call the Sea's Vermicelli. I bet it would be delicious with a chunky garlic tomato sauce & ribbons of fresh basil. If experimenting with seaweed in the kitchen is new to you, Arame is a great introduction to the palate. It's much more mild than most seaweeds and blends well with other flavors. Plus it's shredded which makes it noodle-like and easier to slurp down!

If I haven't convinced you to play with it yet. Then just keep in mind that it is packed full of minerals and nutrients. A rich source of calcium, iron, iodine, zinc, Vitamin A and cancer fighting Lignans.

My dear friend Diana and I have been making Real Food Daily our nourishing stopover after our Sunday hikes. Founder and Chef, Ann Gentry has a scrumptious Sea Vegetable side. It's perfect paired with Steamed Toasted Millet & Quinoa and steamed leafy greens.

For lunch today I decided to recreate her masterpiece as a side to my Ginger-Lemongrass Steamed Salmon. I simmered both millet & quinoa together, steamed kale, sauteed arame & created a bright tart lemon ginger oil to drizzle over the top of it all!