A new product

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Well I was the recipient of a free Oatmeal sample. In return I have promised to provide feedback on what I think about the new product. It contains oats, quinoa and flax seed. You have to add milk up to the line specified on the container,refrigerate overnight, then have it in the morning. It cost $4.79 at the drugstore, but it might be less expensive at the grocery store. 

So it was a granola type cereal, slightly sweet. It has a lot of calories as granola does, while being nutritious. I will share the other container with my friend S who lives on stuff like this. It is not really what I enjoy personally.

In an update to my post on touchscreen running gloves, son K says they work perfectly, he is very happy with them. It was as if he wasn't wearing any gloves, the phone was very responsive.

Apple harvest time

I was debating whether this was a crabapple tree then realized it must be an apple tree, as crabapples are much smaller, silly me. They are starting to fall off a neighbourhood tree, harvest time is from August to November from what I can google.

Daughter L convinced me to start watching 'The Voice' auditions, which has been airing on TV the past 2 nights. It has been very entertaining. It is going to be hard to find a winner with all the talent I have been hearing. I don't watch a lot of TV beyond news, FoodTV and HGTV. Although I am going to try to remember to watch the Amazing Race Canada finale tonight. The show has been renewed for a 4th season. It is fantastic actually.

I am also looking into quinoa recipes, it is a wonder grain, low on the glycemic index and happens to be a complete protein as well.

Quinoa Recipe

I located a box of Quinoa at the grocery store:

Then I found a great recipe to try it out with.  It's called 'Hearty Quinoa and Bean Soup' from Chatelaine. I forgot to get spinach for the recipe, so here is what mine looked like:

It was absolutely delicious, and I can't wait to try quinoa in another way.  Don't forget to wash it first, before using it as it says on the box.  I didn't remember, but everything turned out ok.

Orange Chocolate Quinoa Cake

A friend sent me this recipe because she heard it was quite good. I've never used quinoa but some of you might be interested in trying this one. It sounds healthy.
I googled the frosting ingredient Xocai Activ and they sell in on Amazon if you are that keen on trying this ingredient.

Another interesting fact (especially for vegetarians) is that Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah or KEE-nuh-wah) is a complete protein as well as a whole grain staple food. It can be used in pilafs, salads, desserts. I think I'm going to have to try this one of these days.


Use organic ingredients whenever possible for better taste and greater health.
Ingredients:
• ¾ cup (185 ml) butter, melted
and cooled
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) rinsed quinoa
• 1 ½ cups (375 ml) cane sugar
• 1 1/3 cups (330 ml) water
• 1 cup (250 ml) unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/3 cup (80 ml) milk
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) orange zest
• 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) baking powder

•2 tsp (10 ml) pure orange extract
or 4 drops of orange essential oil
• ½ tsp (2 ml) baking soda

• ½ tsp (2 ml) sea salt

1. Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and leave

the covered saucepan on the burner for another 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow the quinoa to cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 350° F (180°C). Lightly grease 8-inch (20 cm) round or square cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment

paper.
3. Combine the milk, eggs, orange extract (or orange essential oil) , and vanilla in a blender or food processor. Add 2 cups (500 ml) of
cooked quinoa and the butter and continue to blend until smooth.
4. Whisk together the sugar, cocoa, orange zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the contents of the blender
and mix well. Bake on the center oven rake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the
cake from the oven and cool in the pan before serving.
5. Frost if desired (see other side of this card).

Combine 1 tablespoon of Xocai Activ with one drop of orange essential oil and pour over a slice of the cake.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Quinoa: Good source of dietary fiber and protein
Eggs: Source of vitamin A, C, iron, calcium, and fibre.
Orange: Good source of dietary fiber and protein.
Butter: Good source of protein, unsaturated fats, Vitamin E.
Cocoa: One of the highest antioxident foods, good source of proteins and nutrients.
Sea salt: Good source of minerals and vitamins, assists in creating HCI for digestion.
Xocai Activ: Highest antioxidant combination of cold processed chocolate, blueberry, and acai berry