Apple Walnut Quinoa Salad

Happy New Year!!

Anyone else feel like they need a sugar detox after overindulging over the holidays?  I normally do a complete pantry clean out during the first week of the new year to get rid of all the excess sugar in the house but quite honestly, there isn't a whole lot of sugar left for me to throw away today.  Apparently, I was anxious about the impending sugar pillage because I consumed all of the sugar last month without leaving anything to chance.    Obviously, I'm in need of a sugar detox now more than ever.  It's not going to be easy but I'm ready.  

A few months ago I decided to go cold turkey and completely eliminate sugar from my diet.  It was kind of a disaster.  I was grumpy, irritable and I craved sugar 24/7.  You can ask my family - they'll attest to the fact that I (and consequently everyone else) was miserable.  This time, I'm taking a more reasonable approach.  My plan is to reduce my ridiculous consumption of white sugar and replace it with smaller amounts of more natural sweeteners like maple syrup and molasses.  

My plan is to trick my brain into thinking that I I don't need sugar by eating lots of foods with big, bold flavors.  This Apple Walnut Quinoa Salad is really tasty and the touch of maple syrup in the dressing adds just enough sweetness to satisfy my overactive sweet tooth.  

Apple Walnut Quinoa Salad
Dressing
          1/3 cup olive oil

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced

FOR THE QUINOA SALAD:

• 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups chopped apples 
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Whisk together dressing ingredients.  ​Combine salad ingredients in large bowl.

Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat. 

Did you do a pantry clean out this week?  What things did you throw away?  What did you buy at the grocery store to replace the things that you threw away?  Send me a comment with your thoughts. 

Ciao!

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