Quinoa Soup

When my husband and I decided to begin eating healthier we weren't quite sure how to do so. The grocery stores in our town aren't the greatest (or cheapest!) when it comes to being vegan. They do have an okay selection but it seems so small compared to the huge store. I began to search for health food stores on google and came across a co-op in the nearest city. We decided to check it out.

The second we stepped foot in the store we fell in love! Everyone is so friendly and willing to help, the selection is great, and they have everything you could imagine. The store smells amazing, and they have so many papers of information throughout the store on how to be healthy. We love buying avocados there because we can get an organic avocado for .79 cents each where as the grocery store is $1.25 each on sale, and its not even organic! They have a bulk section that is just... amazing! Brown rice, couscous, quinoa, rolled oats, popcorn, beans, lentils, chocolate chips, coconut shavings, granola, flour, and every spice you could imagine! All at great prices too. Anyways... my husband and I love to pick out new things to try from the bulk section and once we chose quinoa.

Quinoa Soup
1 cup quinoa
4 carrots
4 garlic cloves
olive oil
Vegetable bouillon cube
12 oz bag frozen brocolli
6 oz Italian frozen vegetable mix
Seasonings

Mince the garlic and peel and chop the carrots.

Put it into a pot with a little bit of olive oil on the bottom. Then add 1 cup of quinoa, the carrots and garlic.

You may need to add a little more olive oil if it is still a little dry, add just enough so that everything gets covered. There shouldn't be pools of olive oil.

Saute the quinoa, carrots and garlic until the quinoa is slightly brown (about 5 minutes).

Now add 4 cups of water, a vegetable bouillon cube, and seasoning. This time I used marjoram, ginger, black pepper and basil.

Let it boil for about 10 minutes, then add the frozen vegetables, bring back to a boil and let boil for about 5 minutes more. It is done when the quinoa is transparent.