At this particular Baby Cafe, Lisa treated us to a very delicious recipe that she had prepared called Caramelized Onion, Lentil, and Raisin Quinoa. I admit to taking seconds because it was so so yummy!

I just had to share her delicious, ultra-healthy recipe with you:

Caramelized Onion Lentil and Raisin Quinoa

(Makes about 1 cup)
1 tbsp. yellow raisins (I like to use these as opposed to red raisins because of their chewier texture)
1/2 cup warm water

Quinoa
1/4 cup quinoa
1 cup homemade vegetable broth (or water)
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup canned lentils
salt and pepper to taste (optional-I omit these when preparing for my son)

Caramelized Onions
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil (or 1 tbsp. if omitting butter)
1 tsp. butter (optional)
1 tsp. sugar (I used 1 tsp. of brown rice syrup and they turned out just as delicious!)
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

Put raisins and 1/2 cup of warm water in a bowl and let sit for 5-7 minutes. Before adding to the quinoa squeeze out all excess liquid and chop finely.
Add water to a small pan and bring to a boil.  Add quinoa, cumin, and cinnamon then reduce heat to medium-low for 12-15 minutes or until water has evaporated.

When making for myself I cook quinoa “al dente” (just like my pasta!) but when I prepare it for my son I usually cook it a few minutes longer until it is somewhat mushy, which makes it easier for my son to eat.  If the quinoa is still too “al dente” after cooking for 15 minutes just add a few tablespoons of water at a time and cook down until the water evaporates and the quinoa is soft.

In a separate small pan, heat oil and butter on medium heat for about 2 minutes.  Add chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add vinegar and brown rice syrup then reduce heat to simmer. Cook covered, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes or until onions are very soft and translucent.

Stir onions, raisins, and lentils into quinoa.  It’s best served warm but also tastes great at room temperature.  Why not pack on the protein by adding some shredded chicken or beef?! Sprinkle with toasted slivered almonds for added crunch and serve!

For more of Lisa’s delectable recipes, check out her site bitesforbabies.com

Check out these photos courtesy of Michelle Bondy Photography. Can you tell that we had a blast!

It was so exciting to be a finalist and to be a part of this prestigious event! Sweetheart Diapers & More didn’t win the award for Start up of the year, that honour went to Red Piston, but I was very happy to make it as far as the finals! Here is a video clip of me (Margaret) at the awards gala last night:

http://www.twitvid.com/SRCTH

About these awards:

Since 1991, the Annual Business Excellence Awards (BEA) program, which has become the premier business event of the year, recognizes the achievements of successful businesses and people in Windsor and Essex County and the contributions they make to the growth and prosperity of the economy.

In 1996, the Chamber was pleased to introduce the acclaimed ATHENA Award.

The slate of awards for 2012 has been updated includes Start Up of the Year (formerly New Business), Entrepreneur, Business Professional, Small Company (under 15 employees), Mid-Size Company (16-50 employees) and Large Company of the Year (51 employees).  This year we are also presenting three new awards including Taste of Windsor Essex Award, Go Green Award and the Rising Star of the Year Award for an individual under 30 years of age.

This annual business event, the Chamber’s largest, brings together business, government and industry leaders from all over the area to join in celebrating the Chamber’s and business community’s achievements. Every Business Excellence Awards event is an elaborate production. It has extraordinary exposure and prestige attached to it and has become a must attend, sell-out event.

The evening’s program is an exciting and prestigious event that is possible through the many Chamber members who generously contribute to the success of this program through their sponsorship. This is a special evening when our local entrepreneurs are honoured by their peers, as is evident in the past where over 700 Chamber members and guests have gathered to pay tribute to the award recipients. Make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to honour business excellence.

There are some articles in the Windsor Star about omorrow night’s awards gala and you can find them here:

http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Business+Excellence+Awards/6507484/story.html

http://www.windsorstar.com/health/Start+year/6507486/story.html

At our Windsor, Ontario location at Sweetheart Diapers & More we had reporters come to our event from CBC Radio 97.5 FM, AM800 CKLW, and The Windsor Star.

Here are the links to the stories about our event.

(The Windsor Star took a lot of photos, take a look to see if your baby made it onto Windsorstar.com!)

http://www.ourwindsor.ca/2012/04/local-babies-to-be-part-of-world-record-attempt/

http://www.windsorstar.com/life/Windsor+Weekend+Pictures/6502308/story.html

http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Events+ring+Earth/6498050/story.html

This event couldn’t have happened without the help and support from many people, including our volunteers who acted as witnesses for our Guinness World Record submissions, the amazing Sweetheart Diapers & More team, and our generous donors!

Thank you to the following individuals who volunteered their time:

• Percy Hatfield, Windsor city councillor who emceed and was the whistle blower
• Shelley Haggert, Editor/Associate Publisher of Windsor Parent Magazine who acted as our Overall Independent Witness
• Sonia DiNunzio, mother of 2 with a 3rd on the way who acted as our Independent Witness with Cloth Diaper Knowledge
• Michelle Bondy, of Michelle Bondy Photography, who was our official photographer
• Darlene Keller Oickle, who helped with registration

Thank you to all of the businesses and individuals who donated items for our goody bags and door prizes, please support these businesses!

• CLarol the Clown
• Sunflower Organic Cafe
• Monkey Town
• Priced Green
• Leelee Hats
• Sleeperific Children’s Sleep Consultant
• McDonald’s
• Shoppers Drug Mart
• Bummis
• Rockin Green
• Baby’s Best Designs
• Teething Bling
• The Do Good Divas
• Nadine McDowall, Scentsy
• Tiffany Cosgrave, Tupperware
• Sweetheart Diapers & More
• Lunapads
• Jones & Co.

Thank you to the wonderful Sweetheart Diapers & More team for your positive attitudes, friendly smiles, and dedicated work:

• Tina Chittle, Lisa Baillargeon, Brent Deneau

Thank you to the reporters from the local media who came out to help us spread the word about cloth diapering!