Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!!


 Yesterday I went to a family picnic at my sister's new house and as always, we all had such a great time hanging out together. I have 2 sisters and it's a family joke that every family get together is really just about the 3 of us. The close bond that my sister's and I share is always at the core of every gathering, we seem to take center stage whether it's intentional or not. 
There's nothing like the special bond that we sister's share ~ we are so blessed!


                                                      Silly fun with Karen & Sharon ~ xoxo

 Of course food is at the center of any picnic and my choices are never an issue with my family. It's really easy to march to the beat of a different drummer when everyone around you is supportive!
Karen  served a huge green salad she knew I'd love. She had all the yummy trimmings ~ sliced almonds, sprouts galore, sunflower seeds and cranberries. I was in heaven :)
I brought along a veggie platter with a raw spinach dip that was awesome and fruity quinoa salad that everyone enjoyed... (recipes below). I've found that as long as I have healthy, nutritious foods at my fingertips, it doesn't matter what anyone else is eating. After all ~ food is only a small part of any family gathering. Shared laughs and time together is what it's really all about!

                                             

Creamy Spinach Dip

4 cups chopped fresh spinach

1 ripe tomato

1/2 cup raw tahini

1/3 cup chopped onion

3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1/2 Tsp. garlic powder

combine in a food processor until pureed

Enjoy!!

Fruity Quinoa Salad

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

1 Tsp cinnamon

juice of 1 lime

pinch sea salt

1/2 cup cranberries

1 orange ~ sectioned & sliced

1/2 cup walnuts

Add quinoa to 2 cups boiling water 

simmer on low 15 minutes

let sit 5 minutes to absorb rest of water

Add the rest of the ingredients

Enjoy!

Dessert!!

"Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life"

Albert Einstein