You know who is having the best summer ever?
This guy:
He loves hanging out with us in the backyard while we garden and laze in lawn chairs. The nice thing about Lex is he doesn’t run away or leave the yard like most cats do. He’s a grounded guy, and sticks to us like velcro.
A recent summer lunch that was enjoyed in the backyard:
Quinoa-Brown Rice (Protein Power) Bowls
Serves 3-4
A clean-eating lunch to fuel a busy (or laid back) afternoon. It’ll keep you feeling ‘light’ and energized!
Ingredients/Directions
3/4 cup quinoa, cooked according to directions
1 cup brown rice, cooked according to directions
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 small zucchini, quartered
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 sweet red onion, diced
1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1 tbsp turmeric
4 cups loosely packed fresh spinach, set aside
salt & pepper, to taste
opt: dash of chili seasoning
cooking oil: extra virgin olive or coconut (about 1/2-1 tbsp)
After the brown rice and quinoa are finished cooking, fluff with a fork and combine the two in a large bowl. Set aside to cool.
In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, and onion. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes, then add bell pepper, zucchini and chickpeas. Season with turmeric and pepper. Cook for approximately 8 minutes, then add the tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Once done, season with salt, adjust turmeric and pepper if needed.
Combine the sauteed veggies with the quinoa and rice, then stir in fresh spinach leaves. Serve immediately.
Summer in a bowl.
I’m going to join Lex in the backyard for some of this:
We are lazy.
)
