Buddha Bowl

Serves 2-4 (depending on if being served as a main or side dish)

INGREDIENTS:

• One cup quinoa or brown rice, cooked according to package directions (Tip: cook in vegetable broth instead of water for fuller flavor.)
• 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups cauliflower, chopped
• ½ cup raw shredded beets
• 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced or whole baby carrots
• 1 cup spinach, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup canned chickpeas
• 1 red pepper, chopped (you can use yellow or orange peppers as well, or a mixture)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional but so healthy)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or a mixture
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Sea salt and pepper to taste
• A drizzle of olive oil (or use one of the dressing recipes)
• Dash cayenne (optional if you like a little kick!)
• 6-8 oz diced organic cooked Tofu or Tempeh (optional) or protein of choice
• Sliced avocado

TO PREPARE:

Steam broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower for 5-7 minutes, (depending on your desired tenderness) adding peppers for the last 2-3 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooked quinoa or brown rice, steamed vegetables, spinach, red pepper, and parsley. Add the raw seeds, sliced avocado, and protein choice and drizzle with lemon juice, oil, and salt & pepper to taste. Serve warm or room temperature (For a heavier meal you can also add in a sweet potato, chickpeas etc.)  

All options are available for you to create your own Buddha Bowl! 

Cucumber Avocado Salad

Ingredients

• 2 Avocados cubed (toss with a bit of lemon juice right away to keep from browning)

• Juice from 1/ 2 lemon

• 2 Tbsp. chopped red onion

• 1 seedless English cucumber diced

• ¼ cup of chopped fresh dill (or parsley)

Dressing

• 3 Tbsp. of Olive oil

• 1 Tbsp. of red wine vinegar

• pinch of salt and pepper

• Whisk them together.

• (If you choose an oil free dressing, my Oil Free Dijon is delicious)

To Prepare

• Toss Avocado gently with lemon and then add remaining ingredient.

• Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

White Bean Salad

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz. can organic Cannellini beans or white kidney beans

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 Tbsp. of chopped Spring onions

• ½ tsp. grated lemon zest

• 5 radishes thinly sliced

• 1 cup crunchy fresh snow peas or sugar snap peas

• Sea salt & pepper to taste

• 3 Tbsp. fresh chopped basil ( I also like mint)

• 2-4 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/4 tsp maple syrup

• 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)

To Prepare

• In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, maple syrup.

• Drain beans and toss gently 1/3 of the dressing.

• In a small pot of boiling water, add in snap peas and cook for 1 minute.

• Drain, pat dry and slice thin.

• In a large bowl add in beans and crunchy vegetables, Spring onions and toss with remaining dressing.