Slice of Life Day 2: Quinoa Crunch Salad

I love really good food! And if I can brag a little, I’m usually a pretty good cook. I grew up in a family that loved to cook and try new foods, so it’s not a surprise that all of my siblings and I can hold our own in the kitchen. Some of enjoy cooking more than others – but we all can cook.

For the past few years, my partner and I have started focusing on creating a more healthy eating habit. We tend to eat at least three vegetarian meals a week. We haven’t given up meat completely, but I try to choose more environmentally-friendly and animal-friendly options instead. And I have found that I’m more full, feel better, and typically have more energy when I’m eating healthier.

Quinoa Crunch Salad

Last night for dinner we had the Quinoa Crunch Salad from the Pinch of Yum website. Pinch of Yum has some amazingly delicious meals on the site and I love finding new favorites. This one was so tasty and so filling without any meat at all.

Full of protein and fiber, quinoa is the base of the salad, but then you get to fill your bowl with all sorts of yummy veggies – edamame, bell pepper, carrots, cabbage, and cucumber. Plus, when you throw in a little mango and the heat of Chili Lime Cashews (from Aldi’s) it’s like a party in your mouth!

Peanut Dressing

What I love best is that by creating the salad dressing at home (super easy!) you know exactly what’s in it. I did reduce the sesame oil to 1 Tablespoon and subbed in just regular canola oil for 3 Tablespoons to reach the 1/4 measure and it was perfect! Sesame oil can be really overpowering and this worked really well for me.

My partner worked late last night so he was so hungry when he got home. He always ends up liking the vegetarian meals I prepare, but he’ll often ask what type of protein is in the dish first. I gave him a pretty big helping and he kept mentioning that he was going to heat up a bowl of leftover chili after he finished his salad. Well, surprise, surprise, there was no chili being reheated last night. The Quinoa Crunch Salad filled him up!

This is my third year participating in the Slice of Life Challenge. I’ll be sharing brief posts that show a glimpse of my life in story-format. I hope you enjoy just a slice of my life as a librarian, book lover, and blogger!