Oh, I have a blog.

Apparently I forgot for a few weeks.  Unfortunately, on occasion, I get so busy being a mom, running FIT4MOM Phoenix Scottsdale, and just living, that the planning, the prepping, and even the pouring get forgotten.  In other words, my family is super sick of Chick Fil A and rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.  I am equally sick of existing on chocolate mint builder bars, raw almonds, clementines and gummy bears.   After 5 days on the road, part of my reintroduction to polite society today involved breakfasts and lunches for the next few days.

Spicy Black Bean and Quinoa Salad in a Mason Jar

Salad Ingredients:

• 1 c. quinoa (measured before cooking), prepared according to package (I used a multi-color variety and cooked it in the rice cooker with vegetable broth and some lime juice), cooled
• 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 c. frozen corn, defrosted
• 1 can of rotel, cilantro and lime variety (or you could just use fresh tomatoes and cilantro, but let’s be honest, any of this was a stretch today for me)
• 4-5 sliced green onions
• 1 diced green pepper (or whatever color you want!  I had green)
• 1 large avocado, diced and tossed in lime juice
• 4 cups of shredded romaine

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 TB olive oil (I used a chile lime variety)
• Juice of one lime
• 1-2 tsp of taco seasoning (I used my homemade), depending how much spice you want to add
• 1-2 tsp of honey, depending how much sweet you’d like

Directions:

1. Combine all salad ingredients other than avocado and romaine.
2. Blend salad dressing ingredients together.
3. Toss salad with dressing.
4. Divide among 4 wide-mouthed, quart sized mason jars.
5. Add avocado to jars.
6. Finish with romaine.
7. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.  Immediately before serving, shake to mix, and pour into a bowl or onto a plate.