Celebrating one of the world’s finest food plants; Quinoa.
2013
Welcome to the International Year of Quinoa. I kid you not. Who would have thought?
The UN deemed 2013 the “International Year of Quinoa.” Yep, Agenda Item 25 in the 66th session of the UN General Assembly suggests that everyone everywhere “focus world attention on the role that quinoa biodiversity can play, owing to the nutritional value of quinoa, in providing food security and nutrition and in the eradication of poverty.”
Known to Andean natives and and many throughout South and Middle America as ‘chisaya mama’ (Mother Grain) and ‘golden grain of the Incas,’ the quinoa plant sprouted from high altitude vistas in the thin air of the Andes where it has been a prolific and reliable staple for over 4,000 years.
Quinoa plant
Spanish invaders tried to eradicate the ‘sacred Mother Food’ of the advanced Incan people. But Quinoa was born in a harsh environment; it’s a survivor, and it survived. Thank goodness!
The U.N. IYQ (International Year of Quinoa) statement includes the heartfelt following: “in recognition of the indigenous peoples of the Andes, who have maintained, controlled, protected and preserved quinoa as a food for present and future generations thanks to their traditional knowledge and living practices which are in harmony with nature and Mother Earth”.
Around here, we’ve been enjoying Quinoa (pronounced KEE-no-ah) for over 30 years. NASA scientists, searching decades ago for an ideal food for long-term human space missions, discovered quinoa and stated that it “is unrivaled in the plant or animal kingdom for its life-sustaining nutrients”.
I credit, at least in part, Gabriel Howearth who founded the original ‘Seeds of Change’ with saving this venerable plant from extinction or at least from slipping into obscurity as the world and her human societies become ever more ‘modern’ and less appreciative of authentic gifts, such as real/whole food.
Seeds of Change was originally all about preserving biodiversity and promoting the use of sustainable organic agricultural practices. Seeds of Change, of course, is now owned by M&M Mars. Weird ha…
Package of Quinoa
Anyway, The Mother Grain (technically not a grain, but the seed of a leafy green) is here to stay. Well, undoubtedly The Monsantos are trying to wipe it out, but it is a supreme survivor. Excuse me for using the ‘M’ word, but concentrating on the positive, let’s just say that Quinoa is doing well. She is available ‘round the world and nourishing folks like few foods can, and far better than most anything used in the SAD (standard American Diet).
Find it (any natural food store, many standard grocery outlets, even Costco), prepare it (endless possibilities), enjoy it, and share it.
You're in good hands with Quinoa
Celebrate the International Year of Quinoa.
A search for ‘Quinoa’ will flood your results with quinoa recipes.
Check out ‘Easy Vegan Eating’ for lots of recipes, information and support on eating well and living well.
http://www.therealfoodchannel.com/videos/healthy-foods/quinoa—superfood.html
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