LOOKS LIKE AUTUMN, SOUNDS LIKE SPRING

Five p.m.

Friday afternoon...October nearing it’s end...I sit gazing out my window at Technicolor tree-tops in the autumn sky! This year, autumn in the Midwest has been warmer than usual. Gifted with summer-like temps combined with the beauty of the fall landscape, I suddenly love this season!

Often, people say how much they love autumn because of the beauty it brings. Of course, I don’t disagree, but I usually feel sad when summer draws to a close and fall enters in with its shorter days and nippy nights. It’s such a short lived season and I know what is coming next! I’m not a fan of cold weather and empty branches, and when the crisp colorful treetops become bare, I feel like climbing up a giant ladder and pasting the leaves back on! But this year I feel more joyful...can it be that I'm seeing things with a better attitude these days? Or is it just the weather?! :)

As I marvel at the beauty of the surrounding landscape, I ask myself..."why am I sitting here pining for Indian Summer to linger, while neighbors jog by and children play in shirtsleeves!"  
I feel the need to get up and get out there and enjoy every moment… join the others who bask in warm sunshine and robin’s song under autumn skies! but first...

Sounds like spring

                                                                                           

It looks like Autumn, sounds like spring,

Love to hear the robins sing,                                                            

Outside my window leaves are fallin’          

All day long the red breast callin’!

Clear October skies,

Ruby treetops way up high,

Squirrels hiding acorns, storing food

And summer breezes kiss our skin like June …

Beneath the harvest moon!

Cornstalks, pumpkins, bales of hay,

Dressed up scarecrows on display,

This autumn day...

Sunshine sparkles on bronze trees,

Neighbors visit in shirt sleeves,

Children tumble in piles of leaves!

Looks like autumn, Feels like summer….

This year’s fall…a different drummer!

Leaves in gutters not a problem…

No rain yet - a warm, dry autumn!

Laughter echoes through our town,

Accompanied by a springtime sound…

Love to hear the robins sing…

All day long,

As if it’s spring!

(written by Lorraine Brown, copyright 2010)   

                                                



THOSE WHO BRING SUNSHINE TO THE LIVES OF OTHERS CANNOT KEEP IT FROM THEMSELVES! (James Barrie)

A while back, two sweet friends, and fellow bloggers (mangiabella and foodiehouse with Lauren) awarded me with this beautiful sunshine award. I was new to blogging and wasn't sure how to post it or how to pass it along. Well, now that I've learned a bit more (with much more to learn), I finally figured it out!~~ I can now pass this award along, and since I've received it twice, I hope that it's o.k. to pass it on in multiples!


First, in keeping with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to give the Sunshine Award to someone who inspires me daily. This beautiful woman is filled with faith, courage, strength and love. She is the mother of six beautiful blessings... (five boys and one girl)! She is also fighting the good fight right now as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.


Stacy's blog: "His Way Not Mine" is an incredible testimony to the goodness of God. What more can I say?! Stacy is beautiful inside and out and I always learn something after reading her inspirational blog posts. Her faith is grounded and I have un-ending admiration for her strength! In honor of breast cancer awareness month I recommend you stop by and be encouraged...or share encouragement soon! Thank you Stacy, for spreading Sunshine and Shining Light into our world!    http://hiswaynotmine.blogspot.com/


I've witnessed success stories first hand...and if you'll read the post below this, you'll also read about my close friend,Samantha, who beat this disease and is now helping others because of it!


Next:  I would like to introduce to you a new blog:   http://shannonsshanonigins.blogspot.com/
Shannon's blog is brand new and already has a nice following! She combines her many creative talents for a great how to blog for entertaining. Just ask Shannon if you need any suggestions for your next gathering!
Shannon has such a fun sense of humor.  She has a unique way of creating beauty all around her while entertaining us with her fun personality!  Shannon, I'm so glad you are using your creative gifts through your new blog and I'm looking forward to seeing more!


Of course, I've come to love so many wonderful blogs out there...and if it wasn't for my dear Mangiabella, I just might not be blogging today! :) Mangiabella combines her love for food with her love for life; she sets a mood of comfort and peace and spices it up with an added ingredient of humor here and there. Delightfully written. Do visit this blog and "taste life"! http://mangia-bella.blogspot.com/  


And Foodiehouse with Lauren never ceases to inspire and entertain. Foodiehouse with Lauren is a colorfully written, entertaining food blog, which always brings a smile to my face. I always love stopping by to see what she is up to next! http://foodiehouse.blogspot.com/


The sun shines brighter because of their beauty!  Girls, since it was you that originally gifted me with this sunshine award, and some time has passed, I think it's time for you to receive it once again!
Bless you both for your love and generosity! 


Once again....this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  Please don't forget about all the wonderful women who are fighting the good fight.  They need our support and prayers!  To all of you who continue to inspire us...MAY SUNSHINE AND GLADNESS BE YOURS!

TOP THIS~ a worthy cause!

"You probably know someone who has had breast cancer. The disease will strike one in eight women. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month we are sharing inspiring stories of local survivors. First, we meet one Austin survivor who just opened a one of a kind salon, Top This, in North Austin that caters to cancer patients." (from weareaustin.com)


“I kept thinking we need to have one place where men and women can come in and get all their services done at one time,” Bernacky said.

Above are excerpts from a news article about my dear friend Samantha.
Also, please click on the link below to see her amazing story and new business serving breast cancer patients! 

Some of you know about her story as you were faithful to join me in prayer on her behalf as she experienced the shocking diagnosis and treatment for stage two breast cancer. We watched in amazement as she attacked it head on with unwavering courage and faith. She never ceases to amaze me. She is one of the busiest people I know! She owns and runs a demanding but successful business; lives on and runs a beautiful ranch with her husband and son; and now add to her “bucket list”…. beat breast cancer and using the experience to help others!

Samantha is an idea person....but the difference between Sam and many others is that she puts her ideas into action!

"For Samantha, during chemo, three surgeries and 33 treatments of radiation, she found it nearly impossible to find time between work, family and all those treatments to take care of how she felt on the outside. So, she took matters into her own hands and opened Top This less than a month ago."


Top This offers everything from wigs and massages to hair replacement and skin therapy to caps and turbans, all to help people with the pervasive disease, feel good about themselves.


It’s a salon that offers help, hope, hair and happiness."

While going through treatments Samantha thought about how God might use this experience in her life to help others who are going through treatment. She immediately decided to open yet another business so that she could help others dealing with breast cancer. I admire my dear friend and applaud her for being a beautiful person inside and out and for using something like this as an opportunity to do something wonderful for others. She repeated to me in our frequent conversations that she believed her cancer to be a gift from God….and now she needed to find a way to use this gift for His glory….well, take a look at how she is doing just that!

Here is a link from her local t.v. news channel doing a feature on her new business (ministry actually), “Top This”….

http://weareaustin.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=95335

Reflections ~

I looked in the mirror and what did I see?!

As I begin to settle in to Autumn, I reflect on a light hearted summer!
During the summer months, I was on a writing frenzy! One of the things I love to do is sit on the patio, enjoying a summer breeze as I become inspired by nature surrounding me….and write, write, write!


Back in July, I received such an honor from Highland Park Poetry, when my poem, “Cheaters” was awarded first place in their “Funniest Poetry Contest”! I was thrilled to see (no pun intended) that my poem about the dreaded need for reading glasses had amused so many (and some who are obviously dealing with the same issues in life that I am)! It’s so nice to know I’m not alone! :)


From there, we (the winners) were invited to appear on a local television program “Poetry Today”, where we shared our poems and discussed our love for writing.


In August, I received another honor and was once again dancing with delight when I was notified that my poem “What my momma said” was one of the winning poems in the Chicago Poetry Contest and was going to be published in the noteworthy “Cram 9” Poetry Journal ~  (Cram evolved from live poetry “cram sessions” and became a fast growing journal which has turned into one of the most desirable places in which to be published). This is now it’s ninth season...and cram’s ninth edition…thus the name, “Cram 9, Poetry in the First!" We were all invited to attend a celebration and a live reading of our poetry at their August release party!


This year’s journal was even more personal for me because the cover of the journal shows a little girl pondering her reflection in a mirror! It just seemed so appropriate that my poem “What my momma said” be included in this year’s journal. It felt like more than a coincidence to me!


As I reflect on the words of my mother and echo her instruction, I look forward to more personal discoveries… not only through my writing, but also as I continue to examine the core of my being and strive to mirror the essence of character my momma so beautifully modeled! ~


What my momma said                     

 written by Lorraine Brown © 2006


Pretty is as pretty does is what she always said,
Don’t ignore me; listen to me,
One day you’ll be glad you did.

What’s inside your heart is what will shine right thru your eyes,
If it’s truth you tell I’ll know it, but I’ll also know if it’s a lie.
So keep in mind that though you may have secrets to keep,
What’s inside can’t always hide no matter how dark or deep.


Pretty’s on the inside darlin’ - it’s where it all begins,
Not lipstick or a pretty dress; not sparkles or sequins,
Your future lies in choices; it all depends on you,
You can choose what’s right or do what’s wrong,
The consequence you can’t un-do.


If beauty lies within your heart then beauty we will see,
Attitudes and actions show the world what lies beneath.
It’s what you do and what you say,
It’s how you laugh and how you play,
It’s how you live, its how you love,
It’s how you treat the world today.


Pretty is as pretty does is what she always said,
I didn’t know how glad I’d be that I listened to her then,
And even though her voice is just a memory in my mind,
It speaks so clearly to me still, so soft and sweet and kind.


Every day she showed me just what pretty does,
‘Cuz pretty is as pretty does is what SHE always was!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annie's Shadow

I'm thinking of my dear mother today, on her birthday....this would have been her 86th!  Hard to believe she's been gone for six years now...it doesn't feel like that long ago.  She was taken home to be with the Lord on Christmas Eve, 2004 ~ a bittersweet remembrance!  On one hand, it makes Christmas's a bit more unique when I gather with my family and the presence of each of my parents is missed ...add to it the vivid memory of my mom's last breath which remains etched in my mind and deep within my heart.  Yet, there is something extremely powerful about her going home to heaven on Christ's birthday...as if she had a personal invitation to the party!  I could imagine the angels, greeting her as she entered heaven's door and the  inexplicable joy she experienced  when she saw the face of God!  Despite our bittersweet remembrance, I am certain I will see her again! I'll see my wonderful dad as well....and all those who went before me!  It doesn't make me miss them any less, however.


I feel very fortunate to have had a beautiful relationship with my parents...and my mother was not only a great role model for me, but also a friend, encourager, comforter, and my personal hero! As a child, like "Mary's little lamb", I would follow her everywhere...always by her side. We'd go "visiting" on a regular basis. She had seven brothers and she was the youngest of eight...the only girl. Imagine that!  She said she was very happy to finally have another female in her life...but I wonder if she ever tired of my attachment to her hip?!  As we would make our regular visits to one of her seven brother's homes, they would see us approaching and say..."here comes Annie and her shadow!"  :)  It's o.k... there is no-one I'd rather be the shadow of!  Her fun sense of humor never failed to amuse us...laughter filled our home...and I still feel her positive influence daily! She taught me so much...and I feel her teaching me still...as her presence remains in my heart!  So...Happy Birthday to my mom who's spirit lives on!



Annie's Shadow


They called me Annie's Shadow,
As I clung to her so tight,
And glued myself right to her hip,
So she wouldn't leave my sight,

The love she gave was without measure,
A wellspring...a priceless treasure!
Loving memories will never fade...never escape my mind...
So much of her will always by right here by my side!


Yes, they called me Annie's shadow,
As I clung to her so tight,
I miss her more than words can possibly describe,
Though she's no longer here to touch or see,
Her spirit lingers vibrantly!


The legacy she leaves behind,
Is one of kindness and delight,
She loved the life she lived,
And she lived it right!


So when I see a shadow,
Dancing in the wind,
I remember Annie's spirit,
And the joyful life she lived!


Yes, they called me Annie's shadow,
As I clung to her so tight,
No regrets, no need to blush,
I wear the name with pride!


(written by Lorraine  Brown, copyright 2008)

Do you have a bucket list?

Would you share your list with me?

Is there something great you want to do...

Something grand you'd like to see?

Grab your list of great ta da's...step out of your comfort zone,

Keep a record of accomplishments regardless of their size,

You'll be amazed at how you've grown...

You'll see the world through new eyes!

Did you make a "ta da list" for your life...things to check off one by one?

Until your done?

Until you've learned so much, reached for the stars, gasped in wonder at a sight unseen?

Just what is your biggest dream?

Will you share that wish with me?

Lorraine Brown (copyright 2010)

Recently, I had a fun conversation with a dear friend regarding some of the things we would like to do...our "bucket lists", if you will.   What fun it is to hear what others want to do...what plans, hopes, dreams, goals they have!  I was amazed to see that my friend and I had many of the same items on our lists!  I'm hoping we can check back...re-visit our lists eventually...finding that we've checked off many of the items with a big "TA DA"!!!  My list is rather long...so long that, at times, I believe if I want to get everything checked off, there won't be time to sleep. Well then...

I’ll sleep when I die                           

Time doesn’t stand still,
So why should I,
Got too much to do,
I’ll sleep when I die.


Gotta live, work & play,
Before the sun sets,
Gotta live for today,
Don’t want regrets.


Want to travel the world by air land and sea,
Read lots of books, lounge on the beach,
Ski the black diamond, fly an airplane,
Sail a catamaran in the south of Spain,


Learn a few new languages, write book or two,
Become the best gourmet cook you ever knew!
Learn to play the guitar, write a country song,
About a life well lived…Get the world to sing along…
My list is soooo long!


Yep, time doesn’t stand still,
So why should I,
Got so much to do,
I’ll sleep when I die.


Wanna dance like Ginger Rogers & Fred Astair,
Live every single day with out a care!
Laughin’, learnin’, breathin’ it all in,
Oh, how I wish this was just the beginnin’!


Hey maybe I’ll invent a way,
To make time slow down and lengthen the day,
‘Cuz time goes too fast to live, work AND play!


Then if I sleep till noon,
There’ll still be time,
And I won’t feel as if sleep is a crime.


But for now…
Time won’t stand still,
So why should I,
There’s too much to do, I’ll sleep when I die!

(written by Lorraine Brown copyright 2007)

:)  Did I mention that I want to learn Italian?!   :)

I'd love to visit Tuscany! 

("È una bella città.")

~~

Do you have a "TA DA" list?

If you do...

Just what is your biggest dream?

Will you share that wish with me?

School Buses and Comfort Food!

While I realize it's still summer...and I want to hang on to every last moment of this season...and it is not "officially" over until September 22nd...I'm beginning to feel a bit of fall in the air. The nights are suddenly much cooler now and sleeping with the windows open is a welcome relief to the constant night-time hum of the air conditioning during our long heat wave. 

As much as I will miss my favorite season, seeing school buses forces me to prepare myself to say goodbye to the freedom summer brings.  I don't look forward to wearing coats again...and  I'll miss the liberty my feet experience from May through September in my open shoes, sandals and flip flops as I look down at my pedicured toes.  I won't say goodbye easily.  My heart belongs to summer.  Yet there is something beautiful about autumn's colors; the smell of crisp air; and curling up in front of the fire wrapped in a warm "snuggy" on a chilly night. 

Oddly enough, today I was craving my "not so traditional" Smokey Chicken Paprikash!  I usually don't think about it in the summer.  It's definitely a chilly weather dish and somewhat of a comfort food for me. It is a lighter version of an old favorite, transformed by using skinless, boneless breasts of chicken along with low fat cream cheese.  I love adding "smoked" paprika to give it a unique autumn-like flavor. The cream cheese adds a smooth and creamy texture without becoming heavy. 

With the transition from summer to fall...nature's brush stroke of autumn colors...cooler air...and back to school routines, comes the realization that the changing seasons bring a refreshing variety to life...so for this reason, I'll embrace the new season as I re-arrange my closets, bring out my sweaters and closed toed shoes...put a log on the fire and cook a comforting meal. 

Smokey Chicken Paprikash

Prep time: 10 minutes |Cook time: 20 minutes |Total time: 30 minutes |Servings: 4

Ingredients:

4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tbsp. of Olive oil (approx.)
2 Cloves Garlic  (crushed or pressed)
1 Large white onion (chopped or sliced)
1/2 cup(s) of Chicken broth
1/4 cup(s) of White wine (approx.)
1 eight oz. pkg, Cream Cheese (1/3 less fat)
1 tbsp. of Smoked paprika
1/8 tsp. of Finely ground black pepper (approx.)
1 Pkg. egg noodles (or any other noodle or rice)
2 quart(s) of Boiling water (for noodles)
1/2 tsp. of Salt (for boiling water)

Steps:
*Place a large pot of water with 1/2 tsp. salt over medium heat and bring to boil for the noodles.
*In a large skillet or sauté pan, drizzle olive oil and add garlic.
*Add chicken to pan and sprinkle with black pepper. Begin to cook over medium high heat.
*As chicken begins to brown, add onion and continue to sauté until onions appear translucent and
  chicken is cooked through.
*Add white wine while scraping the browned bits from the bottom of pan.
*Stir in chicken broth and cream cheese until blended.
*Stir in smoked paprika.
*Cover and simmer for approx. 5 - 10 minutes.
*Add noodles to boiling water. Boil according to pkg. directions (approx. 8-10 minutes) and drain.
*Spoon noodles into serving dish and top with Smokey Chicken Paprikash.
*Garnish with a few sprigs of snipped parsley and serve immediately with a side salad or your favorite
  vegetable.  I love cool, crisp cucumbers with this dish!
* Enjoy the smokey flavor and the creamy consistency of this not so traditional paprikash!

Truffles, Crème Brule & Soul Mates

On this date, seventeen years ago... A Summer, Sunday evening, I married Greg, the love of my life!
It was a magical day, as it should be. The weather was picture perfect from beginning to end. Friends and family were coming from near and far to witness this occasion at... the Chicago Historical Society! At first, we were apprehensive about choosing this location because we wanted to make sure that we were not having our wedding in a place which honored the accomplishments of man rather than in the house of God. Our pastor quickly put our minds at ease when he reminded us that it is not the building which matters because God is all-present, all-knowing...He knows our hearts and He who designed marriage will bless us as we choose to honor Him as we become one. What a relief it was to hear this reminder! So...we planned our day according to our desires, but in dedication to God as we asked Him to lead us and bless us along the way.


Interestingly, the Historical Society is located directly across the street from our church. Before we became engaged, we toured the building on a Sunday afternoon in May. I had remarked that this would make a great place for a wedding, not thinking it would ever be my own and not knowing that the following week we would be engaged! Yes, the following week, my husband took me to one of the most elegant French restaurants in the city for my birthday. We had a fabulous dinner and then...dessert...my favorite part of the meal, especially at this restaurant.


Dessert always arrived under a silver dome and the presentation was the most dramatic, elegant, and somewhat decadent. I had ordered their renowned crème brule. The waiter announced my dessert, removed the dome as only he could, and presented me with...something other than crème brule....a small gold foil bag with beautiful foil wrapping inside which surrounded a chocolate truffle. I knew this was a truffle before opening the wrapping because I had given this exact same gift to Greg a while back. So...he either didn't like it and was returning it to me as a "gag gift", or loved it so much that he wanted to buy one for me also???  I set the bag aside as the waiter then presented me with dome number two....my crème brule. Now we were talking...I would get to the bag later...I needed to eat this creation...immediately! Greg asked “don't you want to see what is in the bag?” I said, "Sure, after dessert, if that's o.k. with you." I noticed by the look on his face that it wasn't what he had planned, so I decided to humor him and open the bag. As I lifted the shiny gold wrapping from the foil lined bag, I noticed that is was a bit more sparkly than I had remembered. As I looked closer, I saw that around the foil, perched atop the truffle, was the most beautiful diamond ring I'd ever seen! I can't remember if I said anything...I think I just gasped as I tried to remove the ring from the foil wrapping, my hands shaking like a leaf! Greg was on one knee, ready to make his romantic proposal which I'm sure he had rehearsed to perfection. He told me that I am the love of his life and that he had waited all his life for me and asked "will you marry me"! Ahhh...those words! The power of those four amazing words! My heart must have stopped for a moment or two as I was overcome with emotion. I said "Of Course", "Of Course"! We hugged, We kissed, We laughed... then I grabbed the ring and shoved it onto my finger! Fortunately, by this time, he knew me all too well and he was able to offer his commentary on my impulsive action in the same way he always did and still does, allowing me to see the humor in my quirky self, bringing me to laughter! I immediately pulled the ring off, handed it to him (not thinking that he might be worried that I had changed my mind) – then I asked him, " will you please place it on my finger?"  As we left the restaurant, a horse and carriage was waiting to take us through the city. The entire time it felt as though we were floating on a cloud. I was touched even further the next day when I called my parents to tell them "I'm engaged".  My mom said, “I know darling. He was here a few days ago to ask for our blessing. It has been so hard to keep it a secret!"


Three months later...wedding day!  A whirlwind! We had known each other for several years, first as acquaintances and then as friends, so although we only started dating in January, were engaged in May, and married in August....we knew that this was right!

What a thrill it was to have our wedding at the Historical Society! There was a specific area of the building that we sectioned off for our wedding. A large curved staircase descended from the upper level. I had always dreamed of walking down a grand staircase and meeting my groom at the alter. We had a small alter at which the pastor and my husband- to- be stood waiting. My father waited at the bottom of the staircase as I took his arm and he walked me the remainder of the way to the alter and gave his blessing to each of us as the ceremony began.

Four of our very talented friends blessed us as they sang a few of our favorite songs during the ceremony. Afterwards we had an hors d’oeuvre reception, and several champagne toasts, danced our first dance and then before we knew...the evening was drawing to a close. I tossed the bouquet as my husband whisked me away to the limousine waiting to take us to the airport....we would be in Hawaii the very next day! Oh what a dream come true!

Seventeen years later and I still have goosebumps when we reminisce about our day...a day only the two of us can appreciate in the same way and share with the same emotion. A day that two became one in the presence of God and many witnesses. We continue on the journey now, hand in hand, with God in the center.

Our day in history...our journey...our love...our life together...Happy Anniversary to my dear, loving husband...the love of my life.

~~~~ I almost forgot to mention :)  ~~~~

After we became engaged, Greg reminded me of our very first meeting.  It was at the grand opening of an establishment in the city seven years earlier. I was invited by a date.  Greg was there for his job.  We were introduced, and went our separate ways.  He said, when I walked away, he turned and silently prayed "God, that is the type of girl I want to marry...someone just like her."  Five years passed before we would see each other again. We bumped into each other at church and over the next couple of years, we would occasionally socialize within the same circle of friends. Finally, we ended up at a dear friend's New Year's Day party where it all began. January first, 1993...Engaged in May...Married in August.  Little did Greg know that his prayer would be answered...maybe on a different time schedule than his own, but it was answered.  I probably don't have to tell you that I often remind him that I am the answer to his prayers! :)  ~Just saying! ~

Of course, although I may not have prayed such a specific prayer myself, I can say that those I did pray were also answered and as each year passes, I can see God's wisdom in the timing of it all!




~ When I was just a girl ~                      (written by Lorraine Brown/copyright 2006)

When I was just a girl I wrote a poem a bout a soul mate,
Didn’t know exactly what it meant,
But I had a feeling deep inside my heart,
That something good would be heaven sent.


Wrote about love even thought I didn’t know it,
Realizing that this feeling would be years away,
Even then I knew that something good existed,
Never knowing how I’d feel today.


And now I know that a soul is deep,
And it’s filled with a love I can’t explain,
A true and a pure love that will keep,
And it’s constant through the laughter and the pain.


A love so big I wrote about it in a poem,
And something told me even then that it would be,
The fullness and the joy of coming home,
The comfort and the peace inside of me.


When I was just a girl I wrote a poem about a soul mate,
Didn’t know exactly what it meant,
But I had a feeling deep inside my heart,
That something good would be heaven sent.

***(So, I guess, unknowingly, I prayed for you even then, Greg! And it was so worth the wait!)***

Quinoa, "the gold of the Incas"!



I think my first experience with Quinoa was approximately ten years ago. I've always been a fan of healthy cooking and constantly in search of unique ideas to add more nutrients and less fat and sodium to our meals. Quinoa is actually a seed which is related to spinach, beets and swiss chard...although it has an appearance of a grain. It has a light fluffy texture with a bit of a crunch and a mild nutty flavor.

It can be creamy and it makes a great substitute for rice or other grains...and it is gluten free!



Quinoa is rich in nutrients such as manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus, and is a high protein food...rich in all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein!

You can find it in your supermarket in pre-packaged boxes near the other grains and rice.  It is also available in bulk as well as larger bags in some stores and is easy to find in most health food stores or natural supermarkets. I prefer the smaller pre-packaged boxes because sometimes bulk bins can harbor moisture or bacteria. It will keep longer if kept in the refrigerator but a cool, dry location is also good.


When cooking Quinoa, I prefer making it like rice...with two parts of liquid to one part of Quinoa according to package directions. It takes approximately 15 minutes to cook and when ready, it will fluff up nicely with a fork. It makes a tasty and satisfying accompaniment to many dishes.


Quinoa is also great for breakfast, with fruits and nuts and a touch of honey, maple syrup or brown sugar and cinnamon. I recently found Quinoa flakes, available as a breakfast food, but I prefer the traditional whole Quinoa for taste as well as texture.  In addition to the traditional, there are several varieties, including red. 

With the many uses for Quinoa, as well as its delightful flavor and texture, I can see why this nutrient packed  seed we use as a grain was once considered
"the gold of the Incas."

I was craving this following dish all day, so I thought I'd share with you something that I've been making for a long time...I call it "Mediterranean Chicken with Quinoa".  It's another easy one...here goes!


Mediterranean Chicken with Quinoa

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces

Approx. 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil

3 cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 (14 ounce) cans organic diced tomatoes

approx. 1 cup green olives (sliced into thirds)

approx. 1/4 cup white wine
1/2 tsp. oregano

1/8 - 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric (according to your taste preference)

dash black pepper

2 cups Quinoa and 4 cups water, prepared according to pkg. directions.....(basically, place both in saucepan, bring to boil, cover and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from heat for a few minutes and fluff with fork and serve)

In large skillet with olive oil, sauté garlic, onion and chicken until no pink remains and chicken begins to brown.

Sprinkle with black pepper.

Add white wine while scraping browned bits from pan.

Stir in tomatoes, olives, oregano and turmeric. Cover and
simmer on low heat (with the lid vented slightly) for approx. 15 minutes.

When Quinoa is ready, spoon into serving bowls and top with chicken mixture and serve immediately.

If desired sprinkle a little asiago or parmesan cheese on top. 
It's great accompanied with a green salad or a side of steamed broccoli (or both)  ;)

This dish is full of flavor! Every time I make this, my husband says "it smells like Sunday"! ...cozy, comforting and home!

Enjoy! (4-6 servings - depending on who you are feeding :) -  prep time: 15 min; cook time: 15 min; total time: 30 minutes).

* (great the next day, as the flavors intensify!)