One Handed Recipes for New Moms– A series of recipes for new moms and other busy folks trying to eat healthy without a lot of effort. Recipe: Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad Recipe
Mama: Annalise, mother of 18 month old John
More than just a blogging friend and walking partner, my friend Annalise is a dear friend who I’ve gotten to journey through the new stages of motherhood with. She told me the the real, raw stories of entering into motherhood. She helped me choose which kind of re-uasable diapers to buy and brought me yummy meals even before Everett arrived. Though her mama foods haven’t always been this perfect looking (she has confessed to popcorn as her lunch with a newborn), she definitely has some great meals now!
New Mom Recipe & Tip: ‘Pre roast vegetables and make a big batch of quinoa to throw on salads. Top with a infused olive oil (like lemon and rosemary) and seeds or nuts. I often times add some cottage cheese to my salads – this came to me when I was feeding John cottage cheese and eating a salad then I snuck a few bites of his cottage cheese which turned out to be a good compliment to my salad. Also, skipping bread at lunch time has helped me to get rid of my extra baby weight.’
What she enjoys most about being a mom: ‘It’s just fun. Sounds like a simple answer but I’m really having fun as a mom.’
What surprised her most becoming a mother: ‘The hands on time surprised me. I had heard about the sleepless nights but it was shocking just how much hands on time being a new mom takes.’
Annalise's Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 bag of lettuce greens
- lemon infused olive oil or your favorite vinaigrette dressing
- roasted vegetables, sweet potatoes and beets etc
- cottage cheese
- sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Toss enough greens for a single serving with a teaspoon of the lemon oil or any salad dressing. Top with quinoa, vegetables, cottage cheese and seeds.
- Or you can layer these in a jar like the picture below.
Another friend of mine mentioned jar salads being great to prepare at the beginning of the week and enjoy for quick lunches all week long. This salads makes for a great jar salad. Layer oil or dressing, seeds, cottage cheese, vegetables, quinoa, then greens. Shake right before eating. Enjoy!
The photos turned out lovely! Thanks so much for sharing this lunch with me and for your kind words. xoxo
Beautiful pictures. I really needed a boost for my meals. I am a widow and cooking for one takes too much effort. I’m off to Trader Joe’s to buy veggies and quinoa into pressure cooker. Blessings for your sharing. Joyce
Joyce, you should try the grain farro with this too! It’s easy to make at the begging of the week and enjoy all week long. It’s a little more substantial than quinoa and has a nice nutty flavor. Also, my super bowls are great to make in a bigger quantity so you have plenty of leftovers all week! Report back, I’d like to hear what you think!