Oatless Breakfast Quinoa

I'm going to get a little personal here, and talk about gas. At some point in the last two years by body has decided that it will no longer tolerate oatmeal. I used to eat oatmeal for breakfast multiple times a week and used it in many recipes in place of flour. Now, I can't even eat more than a few bites before I spend the rest of the day hiding my flatulence and feeling bloated! So, I might have an intolerance, I'm open to suggestions but avoidance is working well. Anyway, I needed an alternative and when I heard of someone dressing quinoa up like oatmeal for breakfast, I was hooked! I have since added hemp seeds and chia to my breakfast quinoa for extra nutrients and protein. I have listed the basic recipe below as well as a few of my favorite ways to dress it up! Note: at first bite, the quinoa is not the same as oatmeal, but keep eating it and you will be hooked too! 

Breakfast Quinoa: 
1/2 C dried quinoa (rinse if it's not pre-rinsed)
1 C water (maybe a little more)
3 Tbsp chia seeds
3 Tbsp hemp seeds

Another amazing thing I learned about quinoa is that you can cook it in the microwave! Totally life changing! Put quinoa in a glass microwaveable bowl with a lid or cover placed lightly on top, not locked on so steam can escape. Microwave for 10 minutes, then let it sit in the microwave for a few minutes. Check it to make sure the quinoa doesn't have the little white dots in the middle, if they do or look too dry, add water and microwave for a few more minutes. You will know it is done when it is fluffy. If you want to use the old fashion way on the stove, that works too. When the quinoa is done, mix in the chia and the hemp. I add a little coconut milk or yogurt to make it a little creamy. 

Three of my favorite ways to "dress" it up: 
Pumpkin spice: Add a 1/4 C pumpkin puree, 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup, sprinkle pumpkin pie spice
Cherry Walnut: handful of dried cherries, 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup, 1/4 C vanilla yogurt, chopped walnuts.
Apple Pie: Saute sliced peeled apples in a little butter or coconut oil in a skillet and sprinkle with cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg. Mostly cinnamon. Cook till soft. Add 1-2 Tbsp of maple syrup, and 1/4 vanilla yogurt to quinoa and top with apples. This is my favorite!