Quinoa For Breakfast?

Quinoa is an amino acid-rich (protein) seed that has a fluffy, creamy, slightly crunchy texture and a somewhat nutty flavor when cooked. Most commonly considered a grain, quinoa is actually a relative of leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard.

It is a recently rediscovered ancient "grain" native to South America, quinoa was once called "the gold of the Incas," who recognized its value in increasing the stamina of their warriors. Not only is quinoa high in protein, but the protein it supplies is complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. Not only is quinoa's amino acid profile well balanced, making it a good choice for vegans concerned about adequate protein intake, but quinoa is especially well-endowed with the amino acid lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair. In addition to protein, quinoa features a host of other health-building nutrients. Because quinoa is a very good source of manganese as well as a good source of magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus, this "grain" may be especially valuable for persons with migraine headaches, diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Go here to learn more!

Pumpkin Breakfast Quinoa

1/4 cup quinoa

1/2 almond milk (sub. coconut milk or cows milk)

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1 tbsp Mila (or Chia Seeds or Ground Flax)

1 tsp. maple syrup

Dash of cinnamon

Soak quinoa for 5 minutes in water, drain and add to pot with milk. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cover. Let cook for 10-15 minutes or until the milk is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Stir in the remaining ingredients and transfer to serving bowl. Add toppings, then eat!

Toppings:

chunky apple sauce (recipe here)

chopped walnuts

splash of almond milk

Goodbye for a month, but we will be back!

As the fall semester comes to a close, all of us at Food Justice Alliance are studiously ace-ing our finals : ) Please excuse the scarcity of posts in the last few days and the rest of this week! While this final exam buildup makes the winter break that much sweeter, some of the Food Justice members are taking a different path. Instead of chillin at home with mom and dad, we are doing something called WWOOF. For those of you unfamiliar with the acronym, it stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms...or Willing Workers On Organic Farms. Either way, through WWOOF, you can travel to any country in the world and work for your stay on an organic farm. The idea is to learn and spread knowledge of organic farming because it transcends cultural differences. We all need to eat and most of what we eat has origins in the ground, thus, connecting everyone on this very basic level.
Erin McCluskey and I are going to Panama for the winter break to work on a farm that focuses on organic permaculture. Permaculture is an ancient practice of farming in harmony with nature that is making a comeback these days. Ellie Smith will be WWOOFing in Puerto Rico on a GW Alternative Winter Break Program.
WWOOFing is an excellent affordable way to travel as it is just airfare that you are responsible for. In addition, you get to learn about organic farming and connect with a family or community anywhere in the world. Stay tuned to hear about our experiences and see photos of our trips!

Free Store Event

Reduce with Reuse

Recycling is great, but reusing and reducing is better.
Reuse matters because tons of trash (and dollars) can really add up. Each time
you choose used over new, you’re helping to redirect materials from landfills, and
you’re extending the life cycles of natural resources already in circulation.

Freecycling
One person’s trash is another’s treasure. Take part in the Free Store Event this
Friday December 10th 12-4pm in the Fishbowl, sponsored by The Food Justice
Alliance and GW Roots & Shoots.

As you’re thinking of packing up for home, maybe you are studying abroad,
or you just can’t find your textbooks under all the clutter… this is your chance
to purge some of the items you no longer need or want. Bring your gently
used clothing, household items, books or any other odds and ends and give
someone else a change to enjoy them rather than throwing them out. You can
drop off what you don’t want or need and pick up any items that catch your eye!
Everything is FREE!

All leftover items will be donated. Contact foodjusticealliance@gmail.com with
any questions.

Screening of Fresh the film!

Fresh is a film that explores the re-invention of America's food system by featuring farmers, activists, and business people. It's a beautiful and exciting celebration of the change we can make!

Join the Food Justice Alliance to watch this great movie!

Wednesday December 8th at 8pm

Elliot School Building Room B 117

Check out more info on the movie here: http://www.freshthemovie.com/about/

Enter: Hand

Peter Krsko, of Albus Cavus Mural Painters, chose the GroW Community Garden as a host to a sculpture of a hand as a part of the Give Me a Vote Campaign. Check out the campaign here and thanks Albus Cavus for thinking of us!

Shout out to Leticia Banful for being an awesome volunteer and baring the cold with us too!

Food Safety Modernization Act

The Food Safety Modernization Act, or S.510, passed the Senate yesterday. The bill will attempt to force food manufacturers to stop food safety issues (such as the egg, spinach and peanut butter recalls we've had) before they occur by requiring the manufactures to have a "food safety plan" and by empowering the FDA, reports the New York Times and Food Safety News.

Senator Coburn (R-Oklahoma) opposes the bill fiercely, arguing that it would increase the price of food. The foodie world has been buzzing about this bill, with many afraid it would put overwhelming pressures on small farms. But Senator Tester (D- Montana) was able to tack on an amendment that allows producers that sell under $500,000 annually and sell most produce locally to be exempt from the legislation. Famous foodies Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser backed the amendment, saying it would make the bill "even more effective". (The rest of the amendments to make up the Senate approved Manager's amendment can be found here.)

The bill is now floundering in the House due to an error over a "set of fees" that are technically taxes and thus must originate in the House, not the Senate. Follow updates of the bill on Food Safety New's twitter.

Update: Click here for a great video explaining more about the bill, thanks to one of our readers!