This is a delicious and simple salad that is full of nutrients and flavour. Quinoa is a wonderful super food that is a complete protein and is reffered to as “warrior food”! My wonderful friend Lana shared this recipe with me and I want to share it with all of you! It only takes about 30 minutes to make and can be done in the morning or even the day before you want to eat it. There are some days that I like having something pre-ready to avoid the stress of last minute meal prep. I made this salad this morning when the kids were having a snack and the baby was down for her nap.

Ingredients:

1 cup red quinoa

1 cup white quinoa

3 cups water

4 cups baby spinach

1 cup walnut halves

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 cup blueberries (I used blueberries and strawberries, chopped)

1 red apple & 1 green apple, chopped

1/8 cup balsamic vinegar

1/8 cup maple syrup

Bring 3 cups water to boil, add the quinoa, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. As the quinoa is cooking spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and cover with 3 tbsp maple syrup, pop in the oven at 350F and bake for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool, scraping off the baking sheet so that they don’t stick. In a bowl, add spinach, blueberries (or any kind of berries), and apples. Once quinoa is done, remove from heat and allow to cool. Add cooled quinoa and cooled walnuts to the bowl. Store in fridge until you are ready to eat it. Otherwise, in a seperate container mix the vinegar and maple syrup. Pour over the salad and mix well. Serve immediately! Enjoy!!

May you enjoy the fruit of your labour today!!