Vibrant Quinoa Salad

Vibrant Quinoa Salad

Nourish

I posted this long ago, but it wasn’t under a typical recipe heading. This is a tasty Summer/Spring salad, but it’s great for during any warm weather spell.

Combine the following chopped herbs in food processor with 1/3 cup or more olive oil. Add lemon or vinegar if desired,

  • 1 bunch cilantro
, packed
  • 1/2 cup parsley
, loose
  • 1/4 cup each dill, mint & tarragon

Mix with the following:

  • 2 cups (more/less as desired) cooked quinoa
  • small sautéed onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/2 to 1 serrano pepper, deseeded and chopped
  • 3-4 green onions, sliced
  • generous handful of arugula, chopped
  • salt & pepper to taste; I also added cumin
  • feta, optional

If you don’t like the taste of tarragon, you could skip it or experiment with another herb…basil, sorrel, lemon thyme.

 

 

Cold Season Breakfast Cocktail (Smoothie)

Cold Season Breakfast Cocktail (Smoothie)

Nourish

This has been my go-to breakfast from late fall through the winter. It’s full of vitamins and antioxidants and contains ingredients that help digestion. The ginger and cinnamon invigorate circulation and promote warming. I adjust the amount of ginger depending on my body’s needs and consume it at room temperature. I’m not claiming this will keep the sniffles away, but the big nutritional boost doesn’t hurt. For me, it’s helped break up congestion I’ve experienced, particularly during this damp time of the year.

This makes about 16 oz.

  • ­­­­1 apple
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 carrot
  • Handful of spinach
  • Juice of ½-1 lemon plus piece of fresh rind
  • 1-inch (or more) slice fresh ginger
  • 1-inch piece dried orange peel
  • 1 Tbs almond butter
  • ½ scoop protein power
  • Scoop Greens powder
  • Lots of cinnamon
  • Splash orange juice

Blend and enjoy!

Get Regular Smoothie

Get Regular Smoothie

Nourish

Lemon serves as a tonic for the liver and can aid in daily digestion. That, combined with the fiber in this smoothie can help things get back on track. This also has a good dose of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system.

  • ­­­­2 plums
  • 2 dates
  • Juice of 1 lemon plus zest from ½ of lemon
  • Handful of hazelnuts
  • 1-2 kale leaves
  • 2-3 inch cucumber slice
  • 1 celery stalk
  • Protein power
  • Splash nut milk
  • Water to desired consistency
  • Greens powder (optional)

Blend and enjoy!

Anti-inflammatory Smoothie

Anti-inflammatory Smoothie

Nourish

This anti-inflammatory smoothie (pear, ginger, turmeric, greens, vitamin C) has a slight kick for digestion with the ginger. The cucumber and pear balance the digestive fire and add cooling properties that can be great for warmer weather or after a post-workout sweat.

  • ­­­­½ or more inch slice ginger
  • ¼ – ½ inch slice turmeric (or ½ tsp ground)
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 pear
  • 3-inch cucumber slice
  • Juice of ½ to 1 lemon
  • Small handful of almonds
  • Handful of spinach
  • 7-10 mint leaves
  • Protein power
  • Splash water or orange juice

I like to occasionally add a generous pinch of cardamom or cinnamon. You can add a greens powder to this if you like. If you have issue with the pea-green color, skip the spinach.

Enjoy!

Balanced Breakfast Smoothie

Balanced Breakfast Smoothie

Nourish

This smoothie is good morning post-practice/workout fuel, and it carries me until the end of lunchtime teaching. It’s tridoshic and has a touch of everything: anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories, detoxicants, protein, minerals, fiber and water regulators.

  • ­­­­Handful of spinach
  • 1-2 leaves kale or chard
  • 2 sprigs parsley
  • 5-7 mint leaves
  • 1-inch cucumber slice
  • 1/3 cup blueberries
  • 3 figs
  • Scant cup watermelon
  • 2 Tbs rolled oats
  • Protein power
  • Splash almond milk or water
  • Greens powder (optional)
  • Cinnamon (optional)

Blend and enjoy!