Easy Quinoa Salad

Have you noticed that most of my recipes are "Easy" or "Simple"???

I love these beautiful Kiddos!

That's because I enjoy healthy recipes that don't take 20+ingredients and hours to prepare.  This quinoa salad I made last week while I was in California.  My mom has been asking about simple, healthy recipes to make for the family.  AND, this recipe is a great source of vegetarian protein, healthy fiber and it's vegan if you use olive oil.

This recipe is for you Mom!
*Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture so you'll just have to imagine the yummy salad*
Just to tease you, here's a picture of my mom's 14 Karat Cake which is ONLY available in my cookbook
Mary's Real Food Cookbook .  My mom sent me on the plane with a giant piece of cake!

Easy Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups dry quinoa
4 cups water
1 tablespoon butter (or olive oil)

1 can black beans (15-16 oz)
1 can whole kernel corn (small or large)
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 white onion (or red), finely chopped
cherry tomatoes, halved
1 lime, juiced
salt and pepper

Directions:
Start by cooking your quinoa.  Boil water, add quinoa and butter/oil then simmer until fully cooked. Should take about 20-25 minutes.  Let cool.

While your quinoa is cooking prep the remaining ingredients and place in a large bowl.  Drain the beans and the corn before placing in your bowl.  Place the bowl with your ingredients into the refrigerator until your quinoa is cooled.

Add cooled quinoa and mix thoroughly.  Serve cool or cold!

There are several optional additions for this salad: sliced black olives, feta cheese, chopped jalapeno.

ENJOY!  Sharing this delicious creation at the Creative HomeAcre Hop and Tuesdays with a Twist

SELFIE while waiting at the airport!

I'm Lovin Bloglovin!

It's true!  Bloglovin is a great way to catch all of your favorite blogs in one place.

It's easy to use, simple to set up and LOADS of fun!!!

With Google Reader going away at the end of the month, Bloglovin is a GREAT place to be!

Follow Back to the Basics on Bloglovin!

Mary's Kitchen is also on Bloglovin!

I'm just recently back from an amazing trip visiting family in California.  I got in at midnight!
I had meant to have a few posts up for you while I was away but I just didn't get everything ready in time.  This week I have a lot of catching up to do.

Co-Hosting Thursday Favorite Things HOP!!!

Hey there!  I'm away visiting family and absolutely LOVING my time here.  I missed my family so much.  Unfortunately, my husband stayed behind to take care of our office obligations as well as our elderly kitty and our other 2 kitties.

So here we go!!!

Its Time For Thursday Favorite Things! Thursday favorite things is where you can link your favorite post or write a post about your favorite things and share it with old and new followers. You gain visibility for your blog and make bloggy friends too!

Please share the hop with your readers and let Katherine know if you would like to co-host with her. 

Remember to leave her a comment if you are a new follower so she can follow you back 

Thursday favorite things is where you can link your favorite post or write a post about your favorite things You gain visibility for your blog and make bloggy friends too!

Here are the rules, yes there are rules. But just a few: Please DO NOT link and run...visit a few of the wonderful blogs that are sharing at the hop.

• Follow Katherines Corner preferably through Email it’s on her right sidebar (or facebook,  twitter, bloglovin, etc. they are on her sidebar too) And My Blog too
• Visit as many blogs in the list as you can, please leave a comment so they know you stopped by!
• Share the button or a linklback on your post. Grab the hop button code from Katherines button page It’s always nice to have the hop button on your post. It IS NOT mandatory; but a Link back to Katherines Corner is always appreciated 
• No adult content blogs or links directly to your shops please
• Yes you can link giveaways ( they are everyone's favorite thing) Add your giveaways to the Win It Page at Katherines Corner too!

Hubby's Favorite Post-Gym Meal

Normally we hit the gym in the morning between breakfast and lunch.  It's nice being able to set your own schedule!  For several reasons, we eat our largest meal at lunch.  For dinner we have a protein/veggie shake.

Super Charged Post-Gym Meal
for 2 (hubby gets a larger portion)

Ingredients
8 eggs
1 sweet potato or red potato, 
cubed and boiled for 2 minutes
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper
cheese (optional)
whole wheat toast or Bagel

Directions
Start potatoes first since they take the longest.  Once potatoes are boiled, cook in a skillet with olive oil, salt and pepper until browned.
While your potatoes are cooking, scramble eggs (or poach).
Once everything is ready, plate your food and lightly sprinkle cheese over eggs.

This meal is a great source of protein and healthy fats.  I normally use sweet potatoes but  my husband really likes red potatoes.

Happy Sunday!  Enjoy this meatless meal tomorrow for Meatless on Monday!

It Works! Payday!!!

I was so excited this morning when I opened my email and found that PAYDAY came a day EARLY!!

Every day can be payday with It Works!  With parties, private wraps and product bonuses and I thrilled to have found this opportunity when I did.  Actually, my friend Bridigit shared the info and I took it and RAN!

Here's a brief video about USING the "Wrap" and earning INCOME!  
The Business Builder is only $99 to start YOUR OWN BUSINESS!



Check out my website Slim Down With Mary @ It Works

You can call me for more info (954) 654-3501 or you can sign up become an Independant Consultant or to purchase products.

Eggplant Stir Fry the easy way!

Last night we got home late from work and I was hungry!  I had my husband's dinner all set from the previous day but it was meat.  Unfortunately I hadn't planned ahead for myself.  So I rummaged through the fridge and this is what I came up with.

Eggplant Stir fry

Ingredients:

1 small Eggplant
Broccoli slaw, 1 bag
soy sauce
olive oil
garlic
1 egg

Directions:

Chop eggplant into smallish cubes.  Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large frying pan or wok on high.  Add in eggplant, broccoli slaw and garlic and cook approx 5 minutes. 

Make a small "whole" in the veggies (like egg in an eye) and add your egg.  Scramble a bit in the center until cooked.  Add soy sauce and mix thoroughly.  Serve hot!
*Optional: top with Parmesan cheese*

This was a really simple and easy meal to make.  It can be made with just about any veggies from the garden (or fridge).

Sharing this delicious creation HERE.

 

HomeGrown Basil Lemonade!

With Summer upon us I figured I'd share one of my FAVE recipes!  Check out the original post  for an additional sweeter version.

What do you do when life gives you extra Basil?
Make Basil Lemonade!  I didn't use a recipe and I didn't use much sugar.  This is a great recipe to use any extra basil cuttings or even basil flowers.  I'm going to include my instructions plus an additional recipe for something a bit sweeter.

Basil Lemonade

I like things simple!  I have a variety of jars but for this recipe I used large, wide-mouth Ball jars (quart size) and empty Mason jars (24 ounce?) from pasta sauce.
2 jars have Purple Opal Basil and 2 have Fine Verde Basil.

Ingredients:
Basil: 3-5 long sprigs per jar
Lemons: 1/2 a lemon, sliced, per jar
Sugar / Honey: 1-2 tablespoon per jar (or use stevia)
Water

Directions:
Place appropriate amount of water in a large pot and boil.  While you wait, add the Basil, Lemons and Sugar to each jar.

Once your water has boiled, pour into filled jars.  Let the jars cool until you can handle them.  Screw the tops onto your jars and place in the fridge.  Wait about an hour and shake up the jars then put back into the fridge.  Lemonade should be ready in 6-12 hours depending on how strong you like it.

AND...I announced a 2 For 1 Seed Pack special at Mary's Heirloom Seeds so YOU can grow your own! Through June 18th!

Sharing this refreshing post HERE and the Creative HomeAcre Hop.

2 For 1...JUST Announced!!!

This afternoon I sent out a really cool newsletter for Plants to Grow in Full Sun (also posted at Back to the Basics!)

AND...I announced a 2 For 1 Seed Pack special!

Order ANY variety of Tomatoes and get a second for FREE!
Order Genovese Basil and get a second pack FREE!
Jalapeno, Serrano, Cal Wonder, Anaheim Peppers
and Golden Marconi Peppers are also 2 for 1!
**We will be away from our seed office June 19th- 25th**
All orders placed during these days will ship June 26th. 

You might want to read Plant to Grow in Full Sun to catch up...

Here's my Before

 

Here's my After 

The front garden is a bit messy at the moment due to CRAZY Tropical Storm Andrea!

 Stay tuned for more homegrown, homemade recipe!

Welcome to the HOP!!!

WOOHOO!!  I'm so excited to join the hop today!  
Have you ever had one of those days when you say...This is AMAZING!?!  That would be TODAY!  I get to co-host this amazing hop, our new Chiropractic Wellness Center is up and running AND the It Works business is BOOMING!  
Life is GOOD!

Welcome and link up!

Happy Hump Day!!

...and rest assured, because its all down hill from here. In a good way! Welcome Back to a Mid Week Link up where you can link up everything you got, including your giveaways. Make sure they go on the right linkies below.

 EVERYONE WHO LINKS UP WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO CO-HOST!

How does it work? 

Well over the past view months I have randomly emailed people who have linked up on the linky to co-host, but sometimes I get no response. So we are doing something new because I know there are people who link up who want to co-host. So I have created a sign up form.

http://goo.gl/qTpmN

*Please go to the link above to sign up. Make sure it is an email address that you check often. *

Your Hosts this week: 

1. Follow your host  Mommy Only Has Two Hands  and Co-Host This Week: Mary from Back To The Basics

2. Tweet This Hop: Tweet

3. It would be nice if you displayed the button in your post or blog sidebar to help spread the word.

And Most of All, have a Happy Hump Day!
<a href="http://mommyonlyhas2hands.org/search/label/Hump%20Day" target="_blank"><img src="http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll263/Lynhea/Humpdaybloghopbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Its Hump Day!" /></a>

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Our Co-Host This Week Is: Mary From Back To The Basics

Roasted Cauliflower recipe

YUM!  This was another successful veggie recipe.  Even my husband ate it and he's not a big fan of cauliflower.  I've seen a few recipes around so I figured I should try it out.

Mary's Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic

Ingredients:

Olive Oil
1 head of cauliflower
1-2 heads of garlic
cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.

Chop the cauliflower into florets and toss in a bowl with cloves of garlic.  We really like garlic here so I used 2 heads broken up. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.  Toss to coat.

Place on a baking pan/sheet in a single layer.  Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Serve hot!

Served with Simple Pesto Pizza

*The cold leftovers were a great addition to my salad*
Sharing this delicious recipe HERE!

I'm Still Here...

But I've stepped out of the Kitchen for the past week.  We've moved our chiropractic office and it's been a VERY busy time!
Read The Big MOVE and UPDATE on the Big Move.

Even our boy Rocky is tuckered out!

It's been BUSY!
If you like to garden, check out the HUGE Heirloom Seeds Giveaway at Back to the Basics and while you're at it, stop by Tuesdays with a Twist and share your links!!!
Enter to win Mary's Sprouting Kit.

I'll be back tomorrow for another fantastic recipe!

For now, check out a few of my Homemade Herbal Remedies:
 

DIY Herbal Tincture Kits available at May's Basics

Cayenne Tincture
Chamomile Tincture
Fresh Basil Tincture
Allergy Tincture
Feverfew Tincture
Rosemary Tincture