Superfood Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

As soon as I saw this recipe on Pinterest I knew I had to make it. Then I saw on WayWay's blog that she made it with raving reviews, so I knew it was gonna be fabulous. This is a quick and easy weeknight meal filled with so many healthy foods. Even the hubs who snubbed it because there was quinoa in it, absolutely loved it. He ate two bowls and then took the rest for lunch the next day. I promise you are going to love this dish. It is filled with so many flavors that mesh together seamlessly. "Try it , You Might Like it." For those of you familiar with Yo Gabba Gabba you know what I am talking about- that song haunts me. Bon Appetit!

(This is the picture from Pinterest, a little prettier than mine)


Superfood Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dry quinoa

1/3 cup red onion, chopped

1 orange, peeled and segments chopped

1 avocado, chopped

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup pomegranate arils (about 1 pomegranate worth)

1 cup frozen corn, thawed

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

salt & pepper

For the Lemon Vinaigrette:

2 lemons, juiced (need 1/4 cup juice)

2 garlic cloves, microplaned or finely minced

dash of sweetener (agave nectar, stevia or white sugar)

salt & pepper

6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

2. For the Lemon Vinaigrette: combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake to combine. Or, add lemon juice, garlic, sweetener, salt and pepper into a small bowl and whisk in oil.

3. Combine cooled quinoa with red onion, orange segments, avocado, beans, pomegranate arils, corn, cilantro, salt and pepper. Pour Lemon Vinaigrette over the salad and stir to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

** I didn't use the pomegranate seeds and also didn't use any sweetener in my dressing. I added sauteed mushrooms per WayWay's recommendation. We marinated the shrimp in olive oil, salt and pepper, and lots of Siracha hot sauce, also WayWay's recommendation. It really gave the shrimp amazing flavor- I highly recommend you marinate them the same way.) **
You can view the original Recipe and print it HERE

Obsessions

THIS DRESS.
I saw it on Pinterest. Someone please tell me where I can find it. When I click on the link it takes me nowhere. I really want this dress for the Summer!

PHILLIP JEFFERIES METALLIC GRASSCLOTH WALLPAPER
I love this wallpaper, like alot. I would love do a silver or gold one in our next nursery (nope not pregnant so don't read into it). This wallpaper comes in 22 different colors that are oh so pretty.

KALE
Yep it's official I am hooked on this superfood. Here are three of my current favorite ways to enjoy it.
{Fresh Pressed Green Juice, Kale Chips, Kale and Lentil Salad}

KARTELL KIDS LOU LOU GHOST CHAIR
I love these chairs in a big way. I am asking for two of the light blue one's for Sterling's birthday gift. I think they will be adorable at his little white table where he sits and colors.

TORY BURCH CLOVER NECKLACE
I love the detail on this necklace. I feel like it could be worn everyday dressed up or down! My girl Tory never disappoints!

Scenes From Our Weekend.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We had another relaxing weekend with no big plans. Sometimes those are the best weekends when you have nothing to do!
We spent a lovely afternoon at the beach near our house.

My little man is obsessed with his rainboats. Seriously, everyday he says "boots, boots" and picks them out to wear that day. He even trys to wear them to bed at night. The boots are by Hatley and I highly recommend them to any of your with kids!

I picked up some Tulips. Tulips are so some of my favorite flowers, so I am always so excited when they are in season and available!

We cooked up some amazing meals.

{Black Bean Tacos and Brie, Apple, and Arugula Quesadilla}
I caught up reading a bunch of my glossy magazines. The perfect way to spend a dreary Sunday.

I found a new TV Show I am obsessed with. It is called Scouted and it comes on E. It follows a modeling agency that scouts girls to be models. This show is good, real good. It is amazing how they transform these plain girls into supermodels. Watch it, you will love it.

I am kind of upset Heidi Klum and Seal are separating. They always seemed so in love and like they had a really good marriage. I guess the Hollywood Marriage curse hits again.

Enjoy your Mondays. We are off to run errands and hit up the playground.

Go Get Your Shop On

For all you locals, please go visit Antiques of South Windermere this weekend. Look at all the goodies I spied there yesterday. I only wish I had a spot for all these beauties in my house, or that the hubs didn't have me on such a tight budget so I could actually buy them. I am especially lusting over the Lucite Bar Cart. Someone please go buy these things and report back to me so I can viciously live through you! And you are welcome for me personally selecting the best items for you!

Thoughts For Friday

This week is restaurant week in Charleston, which means amazing three course meals at great prices. Last night we dined at Fish downtown. We got 3 courses for $20, a real steal!

I enjoyed the Snapper and Butternut Squash Creme Brulee. Both were amazing, I cleaned my plates! I highly recommend this place to any of you locals.

They just announced Emily Maynard is set to be the next Bachelorette and they will be filming in my hometown Charlotte. I have mixed feelings about Emily, she seems sweet but I have heard she is a bit of a gold digger. I do look forward to see what she is wearing. I really liked her wardrobe choices on the Bachelor (word is they were provided by Poole Shop and Capital, two amazing stores in Charlotte). Thoughts on Emily, do you think she was a good choice?

I picked up the most adorable maxi dress at Target this week while stocking up on toiletries and cleaning supplies. Gotta love a shop where you can buy Bleach and a cute dress all in the same spot. The maxi dress has me ready for a tan, summer cocktails, and a day at the beach!

I have been getting super organized around here. I saw this idea on Pinterest and quickly organized all my manuals like this. It is such a genius idea.

I was super excited to get my new Elle in the mail this week featuring Reese Witherspoon. I am a huge fan of her and think she looks gorgeous on the cover.

I found quite possibly the perfect snack combo. In my attempt to eat healthier and cleaner I have started popping my own popcorn and avoiding the chemical filled bags. It tastes so much better when you pop your own. and Target has a whole grain version that is so good, especially drizzled with truffle oil!

Found this amazing quote from one of my favorite Mumford and Sons songs. Love it!

Have a great weekend!

Charleston Hot Spots According to Yours Truly!

I totally forgot to mention this morning in my post that I am also guest posting today over at Natasha's Blog Schue Love.

Her blog is one of my all time favorite reads, filled with good eats, gorgeous interiors, and now pictures of her growing adorable baby bump! Natasha is such a doll so please go check out her blog and show some love.
I am sharing my favorites things to do in Charleston, SC! Here is a sneak peek of one of my favorite meals in town. Now head over HERE to read the rest!

You Like What You See?

We have a new addition to our house. This little beauty. And guess what I painted her! I know, I know, peeps all over the blogasphere are whipping out paintings and it is nothing new to create your own abstract art, but darn it I am proud of myself and want to share it. You see I repainted this canvas three times to finally achieve a painting that I like. Abstract painting ain't as easy as it looks. If only I had captured the ones in between (well maybe not they were pretty bad, bad enough that my mom recommended I take it down). 3 coats of white paint and 4 paintings later I love the end result. This was a true labor of love!




Here are a few paintings that inspired my little masterpiece. All of these artists are insanely talented. I could look at their work all day long. Their paintings are beyond gorgeous and I would love to own any one of these pieces (hint to Matt because my Birthday is coming up)!

{Made By Girl}


{De Kooning}

{Kate Long Stevenson}

{Helen Frankenthaler}

{Joesba Eskubi}

{Sally King Benedict}

{Yolanda Sanchez}
So tell me, do you love abstract art as much as I do? I know it is not everyone's taste but I sure do heart an abstract painting.