QUINOA BANANA OAT MUFFINS

These tasty whole grain muffins make a healthy breakfast. Freeze them and grab one for a breakfast on the go. They are dense and filling though not very sweet. I was surprised when my husband, after tasting a bite, grabbed the rest of the muffin to eat and said it was "good."

You can find the recipe at "Nutmeg Notebook" blog: Quinoa Banana Oat Muffins

Why does quinoa need to be "pre-washed" or rinsed? Here is the explanation from Ancient Harvest brand (the brand Nutmeg Notebook used in her blog) which sells their quinoa already washed: "Quinoa has a natural coating of saponins, a chemical compound that can be found in many different plant families (including some legumes and yucca.)* These saponins (so named for their ability to foam like soap) may exist to protect the plant against microbes and fungi as well as foraging animals, as their bitter taste deters other organisms from feeding off the plant. However, this bitter taste can also evident to humans – and some people are very sensitive to the flavor saponins impart."

Here's a 16 minute podcast by Dr. Greger called "The Oatmeal Cure" which focuses on using oatmeal to improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes.