Within the last few months I have really been focusing on making my body become more alkaline versus being acidic. Alice wrote a beautiful article a few months back about this and it really informed and motivated me to do so. I have been incorporating a lot more green vegetables into my day, always start my day with a warm cup of water mixed with lemon, and try (key word try) my best to avoid refined sugars and processed foods. I have been feeling a lot more natural energy and am hoping that if I continue to eat mostly alkaline foods throughout my life, I wil put myself in a position to live a long, healthy life and hopefully avoid getting cancer or other diseases while I'm at it.

I could talk a ton more about this because it is so awesome, but today I would just like to share my favorite breakfast with you that I have almost every day. It is so delicious I feel like could never get sick of it. It is full of a lot of different superfoods that are very alkaline rich. Basically it is like a bowl of oatmeal (but now I use red quinoa) with mixed berries, cinnamon, chia seeds, coconut oil, and nut butter. I also make a blender full of green smoothie and share it with everyone in my family so we're getting a great start to our day with tons of nutrients.

I started out making this with oatmeal, but then saw that I had some red quinoa on hand and used that instead one day and have never gone back. The quinoa is another amazing source of carbohydrates but also packs in over 8 grams of protein in one cup and 5 grams of fiber, which leaves me satisfied for a long time. I want to break down what's in this breakfast to show all the amazing things these particular superfoods are doing for your body.

Red Quinoa

- Is a complete protein and conatins all 9 essential amino acids

-Reduces Cholesterol levels

-Promotes digestion and weight loss

-Reduces cravings and keeps you full longer

-Helps control blood sugar

-Reduces the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer and obesity

Coconut Oil

-Balances cholesterol

-Increase metabolism

-Improve bone health

-Reduce abdominal obesity

-Energize the brain

-Prevents infection

-Clear up skin conditions

Nut Butter

(I use Sunbutter (aka sunflower seed butter) but you can absolutely use peanut or almond butter instead.)

• Peanut butter:

· Organic peanuts provlde over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients and are a good source of niacin, folate, fiber, magnesium, vitamin E, manganese and phosphorus.

• Almond Butter:

· Organic almonds are a boost of protein and a helpful dose of the antioxidant Vitamin E

· High levels of magnesium as well as good amounts of potassium, calcium, and fiber.

• Sun Butter:

· Organic sunflower seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber, some amino acids, Vitamin E, B Vitamins and minerals such as copper, manganese, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, calcium and zinc.

Berries

I like to use a big bag of frozen berries I get from Costco, but you can use any berries or combination of berries you have.

• Blackberries:

· Increase collagen production and beatify complexion

• Reduce risk of Alzheimer's Disease
• Blueberries:
• Improve memory and cognitive function.
• Lower bad cholesterol and regulate blood sugar
• Raspberries:

· Prevent yeast infections and irritable bowel syndrome

• Protect against vision loss due to aging
• Strawberries:
• Regulate blood sugar and decrease the risk of Type II Diabetes

Chia Seeds

Just 2 tablespoons of chia seeds have:

• 8 times more omega than salmon
• 5 times more calcium than milk
• 7 times more Vitamin C than oranges
• 20% protein
• They also improve memory, mood and energy
• Boosts hair, skin, and nail health.
• Powerful detoxifier

· Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and aids weight loss

Cinnamon

• Relief from Arthritis
• Lowers Blood Sugars and bad cholesterol
• Headache relief
• Anti-Clotting
• Anti-bacterial properties

Needless to say, there are a LOT of health benefits when you add up all the components of my morning berry breakfast quinoa, so I hope you'll give it a go because even besides all these wonderful benefits it is beyond DELICIOUS! Here's the exact recipe:

Berry Breakfast Quinoa

½ c. cooked red quinoa (if you are male, I recommend 1 full cup) (can also replace with oats)

1 cup fresh or frozen berries

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon nut butter of choice

1 tablespoon chia seeds

Place cooked quinoa in bowl and cover with frozen berries. Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes. You do not need to add water if you are using quinoa, but if you are using oats, I recommend adding ½ cup water. When it is done cooking, add in the the rest of the ingredients, stir, and enjoy!

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