Tags
appreciation, Beetroot, Beets, busy, Chomp, cnm, feta, happiness, Healthy, job, life, pear, Pinenuts, Quinoa, Raw, salad, study, Tasty, thanks, toasted, toasted nuts, walnuts, warm, work, yoga
Helloo!
It’s only Wednesday and it’s already been a busy week 🙂 but busy is good. This is something I am starting to realise that busy makes you feel alive. The past couple of months have been very slow paced for me with a lot a lot of self-motivation being needed to get through the day. This has been tricky as some days there is not a whole lot to get up out of bed for. But I have realised that has been my challenge sent to me for a while. It’s the universe’s way of saying ‘ Joanna – we want you to learn some self-motivation’ and I have.
Well I have to some extent. I still have those days when all I want to do is stay in bed and have long bubble baths (like today)
However I now have more exciting things to get me up in the morning. And it’s important to appreciate and acknowledge them so here I go…
- My CNM course! It is bloody difficult! and I have an exam a week on Saturday which I have not done nearly enough revision for – the cyto – skeletal – muscular systems all in 20 minutes! BUT that has given me something to work towards!
- My food, my cooking and my blog! It’s like a release coming on here and typing away. Its been my saviour!
- Getting back into my hot yoga with Feelhotyoga and being welcomed back with such open arms.
- Being given a chance to work on the production side of Raw Ecstasy! Had my first shift yesterday and it was great fun!
- My friends. Soppy I know, but they are great, Im having a new appreciation of how luck I am to have them around and to talk to.
- My family – especially mum, dad and brother. They are definitely my biggest supporters and believers. (this will make them very happy as they read this religiously!)
- My wonderful fella 😀 he takes a lot of crap when things go wrong – but is still here!
and you know what this has made me smile because actually the list could go on and that is something really important to realise – all the things that keep you going.
Anyway these are all the reasons Ive had a busy week and aren’t they great reasons 🙂
SO I should get to the foodie bit !! Earlier on in the week I made this amazing salad. It’s great for this time of year because it’s warm and toasty which is just what you need in the UK at the moment with the weather turning grey.
I got the recipe from a great new blog i’ve been following called ‘Love and Lemons’ it was one of their tasty suggestions for vegetarian thanksgiving options.
I slightly added my own additions but on the whole followed this recipe to the word and thought it was absolutely fantastic!! It was also so so easy to do!
So here we go… Roasted Beetroot with pear and toasted walnuts – and more!
Ingredients
- 3 medium sized beets, any variety (I just did 2 large beets and added 3 small red onions to roast with them)
- a small drizzle of olive oil, for roasting the beets (and onions)
- 1 ripe pear, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted ( I added a sprinkle of pine nuts to toast too)
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (or more)
- a few handfuls of salad greens of your choice (I recommend spinach or rocket)
- 1/4-1/2 cup cooked quinoa (optional, for a heartier salad)
- micro sprouts, for garnish (also optional)
- 1-2 tablespoons walnut oil
- a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
- a drizzle of honey
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Cut the beets and red onions into wedges and roast by drizzling them with a bit of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and some salt and pepper they should take from 30 – 40 minutes depending on the sizes you cut them to. When they are fork-tender they are done. Chop into smaller cubes and set them aside to cool completely. (or use whilst warm for a toasty salad!)
- (optional step) Take the already-cooked quinoa and toast it a little, by tossing it in a small hot skillet/pan for a couple of minutes. Drizzle a little walnut oil and some salt on it, and remove from the heat and set aside.
- Assemble all salad ingredients on a platter. Drizzle with a liberal amount of walnut oil, a bit of balsamic vinegar, a little honey, and some salt and pepper.
Happy chomping!!