Spinach, cucumber, olive salad

I have been craving salads lately.  I guess it is from all out of the ordinary choices I have been making lately when it comes to my food and, well an increase in alcohol consumption.  This is a simple salad that has a lot of good for you ingredients, which leaves your feeling energized and full without feeling stuffed.  I used chia seeds for the first time.  These little seeds have been getting quite the press over the past few years.  I was finally urged to try them when I saw Joy McCarthy on the Morning Show talking about five great smoothies.  She put chia seeds in a smoothie, which made me think that these little seeds not only are super nutritious -- omega-3, fiber, and protein-- could be used for a variety of ways.

Spinach, Cucumber, Olive Salad with Tahini Dressing

1/4 of an English Cucumber, cut into slices
1 cup of spinach
1 "chicken" breast, cooked and cut into pieces (I use Gardein's tuscan breast and just throw out the sauce)
1 tbsp of olives

Dressing:
3 tsp of tahini
Splash of lime juice
Dash of garlic powder
1 tsp of oil (safflower, olive, flaxseed)
1 tbsp of chia powder (or seeds)

Place all the salad ingredients into a medium bowl.  In a small bowl combine all the dressing ingredients.  Mix dressing with the salad for a delicious and refreshing bowl of goodness.

Enjoy!

M

Easy Avocado Dip

This is my new obsession. It sounds a bit nutty, but it is beyond delicious! I was skeptically when I found this recipe on VegWeb (a great place to find recipes or inspirations), but I needed a simple appetizer to bring to my boyfriend's mom's on Christmas Eve dinner.  And boy were we surprised how good this turned out to be.  The first time I made it I put mashed avocado into the dip instead on of the cracker, as the recipe suggested.  I also added more garlic because it is so delicious!

Easy Avocado Dip

4 garlic cloves (less or more depending on your preference)
Splash of lemon juice
1 avocado
1 cup Vegenaise (or other vegan mayo)

Mince garlic cloves or use a garlic press and place garlic into a medium bowl.  Cut avocado in half, remove pit and use a knife to remove the flesh of the avocado and place in the medium bowl containing the garlic.  Add the lemon juice and mash the avocado with a fork.  Then add the vegenaise and mix making sure the vegenaise is well incorporated into the avocado mixture.  Eat with your favourite crackers, bread or pitas.

Enjoy!

M