The Vegetarian Tree: The Fruit is Good!: California Quinoa Salad

Mormon Moms for Vegetarian, Vegan and Raw Cooking!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

California Quinoa Salad

Two summers ago my children and I had the wonderful experience of spending a month of our summer with my dear friend, Sarah, in Riverside, California. Her husband was on the road with his work. Mine was in school and working full time. Sarah and I took advantage of the lack of husbands and took on the care and feeding of six children together. It was a month full of trips to the beaches, mountains, and deserts of southern California. While we were on the go alot, a favorite destination for me was our trips to the farmer's market each week. Everything was bursting with fresh amazing flavor. I felt like a greedy kid on Christmas morning. I wasn't able to stop and enjoy one purchase. I was too busy rushing to the next stand to see what was there. I came home each trip with mounds of beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables. The blueberries were especially amazing, and I had to find something perfect for them. This is how my California Quinoa Salad was born. It made it's red, white, and blue debut on the fourth of July for our dinner by the backyard pool while fireworks lit up the night. I hope you can find a time that will be as memorable to share it with friends and family members. I will warn you even without emotional ties it is addicting. Don't come crying to me when all you want to eat is Quinoa and blueberries.

California Quinoa Salad
1 1/2 cups Quinoa soaked/drained/cooked
4 Tbs Rice Vinegar
1 Tbs Olive Oil
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 dropper fulls of liquid stevia, or 2 tsp powdered stevia, or 2 tsp agave, or other sweetner of choice
1 pint blueberries
1/2 cup craisins
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green onions (or red onions if that is what you have)
1/2 cup slivered almonds (or cashews are great too)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

In small bowl mix together vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and sweetner of choice

In large bowl, combine quinoa, blueberries, craisins, celery, onions, almonds, and cilantro. Pour dressing over and combine well. Make early and refrigerate for that perfect chilled taste on a hot summer day, or dig right in warm. You will love it either way. If you feel like sneaking in some more yummy vegetables go for it. I have added, cucumbers and peppers before with much success. If you add more quinoa just keep making more dressing to cover it nicely.

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Doctrine and Covenants 89:10-16

"I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—Every herb (plant) in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth. And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." (emphasis added)

John A. Widstoe

"It was shown in the history of plant science that plants contain all the necessary food substances: proteins, fats, starches and the carbohydrates, minerals...water {and} vitamins. The Great builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children. Countless varieties of edible plants, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts are yielded by Mother Nature for man's daily food. If one uses meat it must be used sparingly and in winter or famine only...They who wish to be well and gain the promised reward stated in the Word of Wisdom must obey all of the law, not just part of it as suits their whim or their appetite, or their notion of its meaning." (The Word of Wisdom, a Modern Interpretation, 1950)

Doctrine and Covenants 59:16-21

"...the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth; Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for rainment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion. And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." (emphasis added)

Ezra Taft Benson

"There is no question that the health of the body affects the spirit, or the Lord would never have revealed the Word of Wisdom...Disease, fever and unexpected deaths are some of the consequences directly related to disobedience...To a great extent, we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom...but what need additional emphasis are the positive aspects - the need for vegetables, fruits, and grain, particularly wheat. We need a generation of people who eat in a healthier manner." (Ensign, September 1988, p. 5)

Ezra Taft Benson