One Hundred Ninety: Superfood Spotlight: Quinoa

Quinoa(pronounced keen-wa)is unquestionably one of the most super of all foods. Quinoa is actually a little seed, but acts and tastes a lot like a grain. It's delicious, a bit nutty and very versatile.

Nutritional benefits? Here we go:

Protein- Quinoa contains all 9 essential amino acids that are required by the body as building blocks for muscles, making it a complete protein.

Magnesium- Magnesium helps relax your muscles and blood vessels and effects blood pressure. Quinoa contains high levels of this vital nutrient.

Manganese and Copper- Quinoa is a good source of these minerals that act as antioxidants in your body to get rid of dangerous cancer and disease-causing substances.

Calcium- A cup of cooked quinoa contains 30 mg of calcium. Calcium builds and maintains bones and teeth, helps regulate the contraction of the heart, and facilitates nerve and muscle function.

Iron- 1 cup of cooked quinoa offers 15 percent of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of iron, which helps to deliver oxygen to the blood, boosting energy and brain power.

Quinoa can act in place of rice or other grains in dishes like veggie stirfrys, burritos, pilaf, and paella. Quinoa is also great as a base for delicious salads or as a side with some salt and lemon.