Warm Quinoa Salad

Lunch time around here is usually left overs, but lately I've been making smaller portions at dinner to control how much we eat at night. It's time to lose the last of this baby weight. It's been long enough and I'd like to finally *GASP* wear adorable jeans again. This is a quick and healthy warm salad that I've been making for lunch. It's high in fiber and whole grains and you get a good dose of veggies. Quinoa is a cute little grain similar to brown rice or couscous with a little bit of a nutty flavor. Even the husband likes it, which is surprising. He did add the caveat that he'd need "a lot of ranch," but I'll take what I can get.

This is what you'll need:

1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup spinach
Avocado
Cucumber
Tomato
Red Onion
2 tb olive oil
2 tb lemon juice
feta cheese
salt, to taste

While the quinoa is cooking, (according to the directions on your package, which is usually a 1:2 water ratio like rice) cut up your spinach and veggies. I originally got this recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook but have added cucumber and upped all the amounts of veggies that the recipe originally calls for. Add as much or as little as you like.

Pretty, right? Then, add your quinoa. Make a light dressing with your olive oil and lemon juice, adding a little salt, and mix it into your salad.

Now, finish with a little feta cheese and you've got a greek style salad that perfect for summer.