Spinach_quinoa_saladI’ve just fallen in love!

For some reason, I can’t say I have ever fallen in love with quinoa – except for now. I think that some of the quinoa dishes I’ve had were made up of too much quinoa and in and of itself it’s not the most amazing tasting food. It really needs something. 

But yesterday, after a perfect yoga class, I shared a salad with my girlfriend and it was equally perfect! So when I got home, I checked to see if I still had the quinoa I bought forever ago at Trader Joe’s. Sure enough, it was still there. I happened to have all the ingredients that were in the salad I ate yesterday, except there are some minor differences. 

Here’s what I put together, and I will bet if you do this combo, you will love it. I am going to start adding quinoa to my salads from now on because it’s such a great and healthy protein. So here is my recipe:

Spinach or Spring Mix – about 2 cup fulls

Quina – about 1/4 cup or more to your liking

Chopped red onion

Chopped red pepper

Cucumber, sliced thin and chopped

Chopped tomatoes 

Garbanzo beans – just a small handful

Feta cheese – 1/8 cup

Slivered or sliced almonds (small handful, quick toasted on a fry pan)

Avocado (1/2 cut up)

Olive oil (a swirl) and balsamic vinegar (another swirl)

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (be light with this)

Cayenne pepper (a few shakes – I like it hot)

Everything is optional and of course, you can add other items as well

Toss in a big bowl and consume!  This is some healthy food!