Sweet Apple Quinoa & Cucumber Avocado Salad

Quinoa is one of my favorite grains to cook with! It's filled with protein, magnesium, iron and so much more. I love it because it can be eaten hot or cold. You can use it like a rice or a salad. Today I decided to make more of a sweet salad quinoa. Sometimes I make a large amount of this salad and use the leftovers as much lunch for the week. This time I used it as a side for my early dinner! Check it out below.

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Ingredients: 

• 1 cup of Quinoa 
• 2 cups water
• 1 apple 
• 1 or 2 handfuls of dried cranberry 
• Coconut oil 
• Olive oil 
• Salt 
• Raspberry or balsamic vinaigrette (optional)

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Instructions: 

1. In a medium sized pot bring 2 cups of water and about a table spoon of salt to a boil.
2. Add 1 cup of quinoa to boiling water, also add a small amount of olive oil to the water at this time
3. Let the quinoa sit in the boiling water for about 3-5 minutes then lower heat and cover the pot until quinoa is soft, fluffy, and the water has evaporated.
4. Turn off heat, stir, and add coconut oil to the quinoa (maybe a spoonful or 2, as much as you feel necessary.)
5. add a dash of salt to the quinoa, then put the quinoa into a bowl after it has cooled off, put the bowl of quinoa into the fridge and let it chill for about 15- 20 minutes.
6. After the quinoa has chilled add more coconut oil, chopped apples, and dried cranberries to the mix and serve!

Note: The coconut oil is easier to use if it is in liquid form, either buy liquid coconut oil or place your coconut oil near something hot so it will melt and you can easily mix it into your quinoa.

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Chopped Cucumber Avocado Salad 

Cucumber Avocado Salad

This is a cool 10 minute recipe. I get super lazy sometimes and I don't feel like cooking or creating some super fantastic meal. So I think this salad is perfect for those moments. I normally put it in an enormous bowl and eat until I can no more!! :) haha That probably isn't good advice but hey a little cucumber avocado never hurt any one..I hope lol  any who the simple recipe is below.

Recipe:

• Chopped Cucumbers 
• 1 Avocado
• Chopped Tomato 
• Sesame Seeds 
• Salt
• Pepper 
• Balsamic Vinegar

Add your own flavor, Enjoy!

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Blackberry Everything Smoothie

The darker the berry, the more antioxidants it's packed with! Blackberrys are wonderful way to promote beautiful and glowing skin and a healthy immune system. Enjoy this frothy smoothie as soon as you wake up, or right after a work out. The recipe is below.

Recipe:

• 1 or 2 handfuls of frozen blaackberries
• 1 handful of frozen blueberries 
• 4 or 5 baby carrots 
• 1 handful of spinach 
• 1 spoonful of honey (optional)
• Small amount of Almond Milk
• Capful of Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Protein Powder

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I made this deliciousness with my Vitamix, get free shipping on yours by using

this free shipping code: 06-009932

LA Hot Spot: The Melrose Trading Post

Shoplooksy

Last Sunday a few friends and I, hit the town! We painted that sucker green y'all …lol well, not really. Our version of getting wild was spending the day  LA Famous "Melrose Trading Post." Have you been here!!? I love this place, It's a pinterest obsessed girls dream! If your new to LA or visiting or just have some spare time on a Sunday between 10am-5pm lol, you have to go here.  Me and my roommate are in love with any piece of furniture that involves reclaimed wood. The Trading Post is like where cool reclaimed wood pieces are born!  They have everything from art, to old mannequins, and vintage clothing and furniture. If your not into shopping they also have music and food, there is pretty much always a reason to go there. :) 

Shoplooksy bus @ Melrose Trading Post

Most of the products at the post are pretty affordable, some furniture pieces are a little over priced but hey, you win some you lose some right? The clothes and accessories are super trendy, unique, and sometimes one of a kind/ handmade. It gets hard for me to control my shopping impulses, I definitely have an addiction! I love cute new things lol!

Anyways there is really no point to this post other than to share my "Sunday Funday" with you and show you a cool new place to visit when your apartment or wardrobe needs a little pick me up.  

What are your favorite hidden gems to visit?

Chopped Cucumber Cranberry Salad

I love to make super simple salads for lunch and dinner. It doesn't look like much but honey let me tell you it is surprisingly delicious. The real secret is adding a little bit of coconut oil for a hint of buttery sweetness (minus the butter lol) .Top it with dried cranberries and you have an amazing 5 minute salad for lunch. Make as much or as little as you please!

Recipe 

• Chopped Romaine Lettuce 
• 1 handful Dried Cranberries 
• 1 Chopped Cucumber 
• 1 half avocado 
• Drizzle coconut oil ( not too much)
• Drizzle Balsamic Vinegar
• Dash of salt  

Voila!

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Raspberry Delight Smoothie

This is a great "post workout snack!" It's packed with protein and fabulousness. It takes less then 10 minutes to prepare and makes a great breakfast, when you get a late start on those early mornings. It's better to have something rather than nothing, right? So grab your blender and get cooking good looking! :)

Recipe: 

• 1 handful frozen raspberries 
• 1 handful frozen strawberries 
• 2 handfuls spinach 
• 1 banana 
• 1 handful chia seeds 
• 1/2 cup almond milk 
• spoonful of honey 

Side Note: make sure you have a powerful blender that can crush the chia seeds and frozen fruit. I am currently using the Vitamix on the highest setting for about 15-20 seconds.

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