Spring salad bowl

Now that Spring has arrived, farmers markets are beginning to open, and bursts of vibrant colors are surfacing after a dull, grey, winter. Dark leafy greens are in abundance, which for me is like being a kid in a candy store. With so many varieties of kale, chard, and lettuce to chose from, I was inspired to make this quinoa salad bowl for a quick, light, and refreshing meal.

Red quinoa salad bowl with garlic herb vinaigrette

Serves 4 

Salad

4 cups red quinoa, cooked

1 head green kale, stems removed, roughly chopped

1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

2 cups carrots, shredded

1/4 cup raw pistachios, chopped

1/4 cup chives, minced

1 tablespoon expeller-pressed olive oil

2 teaspoons lemon juice, fresh-squeezed

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Dressing

1 cup basil, stems removed, tightly packed

1/2 cup fresh parsley, curly or flat leaf, tightly packed

1/2 cup expeller-pressed olive oil

1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar

3 medium cloves garlic, peeled

2 tablespoons fresh oregano, stems removed

1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh-squeezed

1/2 teaspoon raw light agave

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Make dressing

1. In high-speed blender add basil, parsley, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, oregano, lemon juice, agave, and salt and pepper.  Blend on medium for about 30 seconds until herbs are broken down and sauce is almost smooth. 

Salad bowl

1. While quinoa is cooking, chop kale and massage in olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper for a few minutes until kale is evenly coated and starts to soften. 

2. Place 1 cup cooked quinoa in each bowl.  Divide equal parts kale and shredded carrots over quinoa and sprinkle on pistachios and chives. Top each bowl with sliced avocado and  drizzle with a generous amount of dressing.  Enjoy!

Cabbage carrot parsley juice

Day #16 of the juice challenge brings you a straight-up vegetable juice blend that is wonderful for the digestive system is an anti-inflammatory and is loaded with phytochemicals and antioxidants.  It may not look that pretty but it tastes delicious and you're body with thank you.

Day #16

Cabbage carrot parsley juice
Makes about 16 ounces

1 small head green cabbage
1 pound carrots
1/2 bunch fresh parsley

1.  In juicer of choice, juice all ingredients.  Serve immediately.

Fresh carrot tangerine juice

Although we gained an hour of sleep in the morning with daylight savings this weekend, I feel like I'm still playing catch up and getting into the groove of a new week.  Here in Washington, its now beginning to get dark at 4:30pm and the days seem to slip into darkness before I can fully embrace the light.

I have been working around the clock on my kickstarter campaign, reaching out to fellow bloggers, publications, social media outlets and attending various local events within the community to spread the word.  I can't believe I only have 18 days left of the campaign!  I am currently 35% funded and still need $9,963 in order to send my recipe book into print.  I have a ways to go but I'm staying positive and will continue to do everything I can to see this kickstarter campaign is successful and my first recipe book Wild Plate is able to go into print.  Thank you to all that have checked out my page and supported my dream of completing this book.  If you haven't had the chance to see my campaign here's the link http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/436582840/wild-plate-is-a-creative-culinary-adventure-in-the

Now that it's cold and flu season, I'm taking lots of preventative measures and loading my body up with a variety of nutritionally dense foods as well as fresh green smoothies and juices to stay healthy and keep my immune system strong.  

Today's recipe is an immune boosting juice with a sweet blend of organic carrots and juicy tangerines.  Both are in season and at their peak, which means vibrant colors, strong flavors and extra amounts of vitamins and minerals.  Both carrots and tangerines have vitamins A and C which are awesome for boosting immunity and a long list of other health benefits.  

One of the advantages of juicing is it's quick, easy, nutritious and when consumed alone gives your digestive system a rest from breaking down food while still absorbing loads of nutrition.  Your body will then be able to use all this extra energy for healing instead of digestion.  I love juicing and try to do it every day.  I will eventually do a whole post dedicated to juicing alone since there is so much information to share.  In the meantime enjoy this in season brilliant orange cocktail and drink to health. 

SWEET CARROT TANGERINE JUICE

Makes 32 ounces (serves 4)

2 pounds organic carrots, tops removes, un-peeled
2 pounds organic tangerines, peeled

Directions

1.  In juicer of choice add carrots and tangerines.  Pour juice into pitcher and stir.  Serve immediately