Sharing my lunch meal prep this week. This is an easy, one-pot recipe that combines the flavors of spices like cumin and chili powder with fresh herbs like for almost a Fajita-style taste.

RECIPE TIP: If you aren't feeling those flavors you can always season to your tastes and swap out the spices. If you would like an Italian version you can swap out the cumin, chili powder, cilantro and lime juice for Italian seasoning with Parsley and Lemon juice. Asian flavors could be infused with a little bit of curry powder, chili powder and a garnish of sliced green onions and lime juice.

Benefits of Quinoa

Quinoa definitely has a unique texture and is a good addition to your arsenal of carbs. It is gluten-free, high in protein with twice the protein content of rice or barley, and one of the few plant foods that contains all nine essential amino acids. Along with being high in fiber, making it great for lunches and meal preps to keep you fuller longer.

Fun fact: NASA scientists have been studying quinoa as a suitable crop to be grown in outer space, due to it's nutritional value, ease of use, versatility in preparation and potential for increased yields.

Well, if it's good enough for NASA, it's good enough for me.

Healthy Shrimp with Quinoa 

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray
• 1 lb Large Shrimp, raw, deveined, shells removed
• 1/2 tsp Cumin
• 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
• 1/2 Large Onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of Garlic, minced
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1 Orange or Red Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1 cup Organic Quinoa
• 1 - 14.5 oz can of Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1/8 cup Cilantro, chopped
• Lime juice, squeezed over the top (optional)

Directions

1. Heat pan over medium high heat and add olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Add shrimp, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.
3. Saute shrimp until fully cooked and shrimp has turned pink in color.
4. Remove from pan and set aside.
5. Saute onions for 3-4 minutes over medium high heat until cooked.
6. Add in minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
7. Stir in the cup of quinoa and saute until the quinoa has turned a slight golden brown color.
8. Add chicken broth, making sure all of the quinoa is submerged.
9. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is nice and fluffy.
10. Garnish with cilantro and lime juice.