Quinoa Salad ON THE GO



Get inspired by your local restaurants and save some money.  This was my idea recently when I popped into a particular new hummus restaurant by my office in Murray Hill.  On the menu was a dish called "Quinoa Salad." I thought, I can make this...don't spend $8.99 on the one dish. So, instead, I bought the ingredients for about $10 and had lunch for a week.  A delicious (and healthy) lunch that is :)

Quinoa Salad

1 Cup cooked quinoa
Chopped red onion
Chopped red pepper
Cranberries
Raisins
Chopped Walnuts
Splash of olive oil (abt 2 TBSP)

** Use about 1/2 to 3/4 of the red onion and the entire red pepper.  Use as many cranberries, raisins and walnuts as you please.  

Eat your quinoa salad however you wish.  I ate it on a bed of mixed greens and experimented with honey mustard dressing (still looking for a tasty dressing to go with -- might be good with a raspberry vinegrette). The salad is delicious on its own but would also make a really nice side dish for say, a light fish. ENJOY!

Potassium & Protein Refresher...



I just got back from vacation in California where the weather was mild and the air was dry.  Already one day in NYC and I wish I was back in sunny CA.  In New York it's hot and humid...and the jet lag sure isn't helping. Walking home from work I developed a craving and there was no way I was going to ignore it. My body was clearly telling me that I needed something...something that could only be found in a COLD banana smoothie.

So I made one...and unfortunately fell a little short of the ingredients I planned to use, but I sufficed with what I had and it was delicious and sooo chillingly refreshing.   

One banana (chopped in chunks)
About 1/4 to 1/2 C of OJ
Ice cubes
Squirt of agave nectar
About a TBSP of chia seeds
....blend away....

In my mind I had envisioned possibly using Greek yogurt and some vanilla along with my bananas...or maybe a wad of peanut butter...OR freshly chopped peanuts.  Then I got to thinking...a dash of coconut oil... I was just dreaming up the possibilities.  Unfortunately, I was missing most of those ingredients.  I made due, and couldn't have been more satisfied. I just needed a little umbrella to bring me back to the "vacation mind-set."

What do you like with your bananas in a smoothie??? 

About Me

Christine
New York City
Welcome! My name is Christine and I have landed here to share my love of healthy living and eating. I live in NYC where I am currently enrolled in the School of Integrative Nutrition. I am already certified as a holistic health coach and I have started seeing clients to help them reach their wellness goals. I started hot mama health to share the idea that it is fun to be healthy! Health is an adventure with endless foods to taste, exercises to explore, and challenges to meet! If you do not already feel this way, I hope that I can bring you into the light or at least stir a little inspiration here and there.
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