Vegan Chopped Spinach Salad

I hope your new year is off to a great start. Most of us start off eating more greens and set goals for fitness and regular exercise. I am no different. It seems that at the beginning of every year I really try to watch my eating habits and try to make more salads and healthier dishes. Even my kids who are 17 and 13 are really into eating healthy. I love it! It makes my job as head chef much easier when I don't have to make five things for dinner. They love quinoa, and especially love eating it in salads. I like the tiny slightly crunchy feeling it makes in my mouth when I eat it. Quinoa is a super food and it is awesome in salad because it adds extra protein. My daughter is still mostly trying to eat vegan so I always add some meat on the side for my son. I am also watching how much meat I eat, because I am always trying to reduce the waist line (it goes hand in hand when you are over 50.) For this spinach salad I added some fun things like hearts of palm, and Greek Kalamata olives which are awesome in a salad. This spinach salad was so satisfying and filling. I served it with a tasty lemon herb vinaigrette. See the link below for that recipe. In my opinion what makes a salad great is the dressing. Well that and fresh greens. I don’t like wilty greens. This salad was made using organic baby spinach but you could use any lettuce of your choice. Mix it up and don't be afraid of getting creative in the kitchen. I love, love, love hearing from you . . . as always thank you for your continued feedback. It always brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. Happy New Year - Cecelia