Home for the Holidays Quinoa Salad

Hi guys!  I made this for my brother, mom, and myself to eat for Christmas dinner.  My Papa tried it and thought it was tasty too!  I've been spending a lot of time with my family and I'm learning how to play Bridge with my brother from our Grandmama.  I'm also getting to see my oldest, best friend Sellers and some other friends from elementary and middle school.  I've had a great break!!!  


Home for the Holidays Quinoa Salad:
Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free

  • 1 package of Garden Vegetable Quinoa
  • 2/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup almonds, chopped 
  • 1/3 cup cranberry pear vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp honey or agave 
  • 3 green apples
  • 1 lemon
Directions:  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Place chopped almonds on a line pan and toast for 12-15 minutes.  Cook quinoa according to package directions and set aside to cool.  Core and chop apples, then squeeze lemon over.  (This adds flavor and prevents browning.)  Whisk olive oil, vinegar, and honey together for your dressing.  Combine quinoa, almonds, cranberries, apples, and dressing in a beautiful bowl.  Serve warm.  Serves:  4-6.


This is absolutely delicious!  Classic vegan fair with fruits and nuts to satisfy you at any party.  I'm pairing it with chopped veggies, pita chips, and hummus at this potluck.  It'll be perfect!

Quinoa salad tower!


My cousins came over today and we had a great workout!  Here's the routine-
Family Fun Run:
My ten-year-old cousin came up with this name.  My eleven-year-old cousin said it should be called, "Family Pain Run!"  You can take your pick ;D
  • Warm up with some dancing
  • Run 1/2 mile
  • In a meadow (or other safe, roomy place) do a quick routine:
    • 16 Diagonal Knee Tucks each side
    • 10 Squats
    • 30 Squat Pulses
    • 10 Burpees
    • 10 Exploding Jumping Jacks
    • 16 Duck Squats
  • Run 1/2 mile
  • ABS:
    • 20 second Plank
    • 30 Crunches (10 reg, 10 bent knee, 10 straight leg)
    • 10 Leg Lifts
    • 100 Russian Twists
    • 20 second Side Plank on each side
    • 20 second Earth Quake x3
To make it more fun, we each said one number until we got to 20 (it took our mind off of the moves).  We all had a great time and got a great workout!  After we finished stretching, I had burned more than 600 calories- but it was so fun I didn't even realize an hour had passed!


What's your favorite holiday food?

I'm enjoying my vacation- I'm rereading Mockingjay and really happy that I can read until midnight and not have to worry about school the next day.  I hope you're having a great week!

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