An Oldie, But Goodie

This post title goes for two things: body pump and quinoa salads.  Both are a frequent on this blog, but they are just too good to pass up!

Yesterday, I joined swanky boyfriend at the gym for a morning body pump

class.  It has been a while since I’ve went to BP and holy moly, I am sore today!!  I plan on putting it back into my weekly routine. 

A recipe that caught my eye from Eat Live Run, put a fun spin on many of the quinoa dishes I make.

The addition of a juicy grapefruit sounded not only refreshing, but unique!  Grapefruits are one of my favorite fruits but I only seem to eat them with breakfast.  It reminds me of being a child and staying at Embassy Suites in San Diego.  They served the best breakfast and the grapefruit had a cherry in the center!  But, I really loved the idea of incorporating it with hearty black beans, zesty cilantro, and sweet corn.

Black Bean Quinoa and Citrus Salad (adapted from Eat Live Run)

Ingredients:

salad:

• 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 red onion, minced
• 2 large grapefruits, divided into segments and chopped
• 2 large red bell peppers, diced
• 3 ears fresh corn, kernels chopped off’
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 large (ripe but firm) avocado, diced
• 1 small bunch cilantro, minced

dressing:

• juice of 3 limes
• 2 teaspoon cumin
• 3 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions:

Bring quinoa to a boil with 2 1/2 cups water with a pinch of salt. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and quinoa is light and fluffy. Remove from stove and let cool while you prepare the rest of the salad. 

Place black beans, red onion, grapefruit, cilantro, bell pepper, avocado and shucked corn kernels in a large bowl.

Add juice of limes, cumin, and a dash of salt.

Toss well and serve.

Salad will keep in sealed containers for up to five days in the fridge, which is just what I did!  This delicious meal has made the best lunch throughout the week.

I tasted it before adding the olive oil and it was delicious without it! 

The grapefruit adds a tart sweetness and combines well with the other flavors.

This recipe is another hit.  An oldie, but goodie!

Other Swanky Scoop:

At work yesterday, we had the opportunity to view the HBO documentary, The Weight Of The Nation, which discusses the obesity epidemic in the US.

Here are some interesting facts about the third movie.

• $1.5 billion per year is spent on food marketing to children. (ex: tv)
• Food marketing is shown to affect children’s food preferences and choices.
• Only 10% of parents seek medical help for their children.
• 40-80% of child’s daily caloric intake is from school meals and snacks.
• 48% sugar consumption is from beverages.

Working with children, this subject really hits home.  It is a great eye opening video and hopefully a step in the right direction for helping to bring more awareness to obesity.  If you are interested in viewing, the videos can be watched online.

What workout or recipe is an oldie, but goodie for you?  Have you seen The Weight of the Nation?

Tagged as: black bean quinoa and citrus salad, body pump, recipe, vegan, vegetarian, weight of the nation