Gluten-Free Quinoa Summer Salad

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all staying well and enjoying the spring(ish) weather. I am so looking forward to seeing your faces in the near future. In the meantime, I wanted to share with you this delicious salad recipe. It’s fresh and light, a great alternative to pasta or potato salad. It’s also gluten free and dairy free, with lots of healthy ingredients, so perfect for most everyone! Enjoy!

-Maura

Gluten Free Quinoa Summer Salad

Ingredients:

• ½ cup uncooked quinoa, tri-colored or regular

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes

• 1 medium cucumber

• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice from about ½ lemon

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

• ½ teaspoon salt, or more if desired

• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Rinse the quinoa and add it to a small saucepan with 1 cup of water. Cover and cook quinoa over medium heat until water has evaporated, 15-20 minutes.

While quinoa is cooking, cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add to a large bowl. Slice cucumber in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Cut cucumber into ½-inch chunks and add to the bowl. Next add the chickpeas, dill and garlic.

Add the cooked quinoa to the bowl along with the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Stir until everything is combined. Salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Strengthen Your Vagal Tone with Michelle Becz

Our At Home Self-Care Series was created as a way to continue to support our wellness community during these days of quarantine. It is a conglomeration of blogs and videos chock full of information to help lift your spirits and decrease your stress and anxiety. It is intended to help you stay healthy in body, mind & spirit, while feeling connected to the very same people that help you feel happier and better in your bodies.

Below, Reflexologist, Michelle Becz, gives us 10 (easy) ways to strengthen our Vagal Tone. The vagus nerve is the largest cranial nerve in the entire body and is an integral part of activating the parasympathetic nervous system - where healing takes place. The vagal tone indicates the ability for the vagus nerve to activate itself. Like a muscle, the more we trigger the vagus nerve, the stronger it gets and therefore, your body is more readily able to trigger a relaxation response.

Oil Swishing for Better Health with J

Our At Home Self-Care Series was created as a way to continue to support our wellness community during these days of quarantine. It is a conglomeration of blogs and videos chock full of information to help lift your spirits and decrease your stress and anxiety. It is intended to help you stay healthy in body, mind & spirit, while feeling connected to the very same people that help you feel happier and better in your bodies.

Below, J Harker, LMT gives us all the scoop on the ancient Ayurvedic technique of oil pulling. A simple and incredibly effective self-care tip you can start to incorporate today! Check it out:

Pranayama Breathing with Mattie

Our At Home Self-Care Series was created as a way to continue to support our wellness community during these days of quarantine. It is a conglomeration of blogs and videos chock full of information to help lift your spirits and decrease your stress and anxiety. It is intended to help you stay healthy in body, mind & spirit, while feeling connected to the very same people that help you feel happier and better in your bodies.

Below, Mattie Gunnery-Fay, LMT, guides us through several Pranayama Breathing Techniques. Pranayama is yogic breathing exercises that have the ability to release stress, improve our mental clarity, and increase our energy. Stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system and ground into your body with these breathing exercises.

DIY At-Home Facial with Esthetician, Vanessa Everett

This is an easy 3 step DIY facial that you can do right in your own kitchen! Remove dead cells and moisturize your skin with some simple pantry items. It’s a great little self-care pick me up for when you can’t get in to see your favorite Esthetician. Always remember that what goes on your body, goes in your body, so don’t use any ingredients that you may have a reaction to.

A couple things to have ready:  

• A few towels

• Cleanser and toner (A toner is used to rebalance the skins pH and allow for better product absorption, but you can still do the facial without it.  Witch hazel can also be used as a facial toner.)

• Large pot of freshly boiled water (few drops of essential oil or flower essence optional)

Homemade Facial Exfoliating Scrub:

• ½ tablespoon cornmeal

• 1 tablespoon raw honey

• 1-2 drops essential oil (optional)

*Distilled water can be added to improve consistency.  Finely ground sugar can be substituted for cornmeal and some kitchen oils like coconut or grapeseed can be used instead of honey.  It’s important not to use anything abrasive.

Homemade Facial Mask:

• 1 tablespoon finely ground oats (you can use a mortar and pestle or a food processor)

• 1 tablespoon plain yogurt (0% Greek yogurt works well)

• 1-2 drops essential oil (optional)

Step 1:  Cleanse.  To begin your facial, give your skin a thorough double cleanse with your favorite cleansers.  The first cleanse is to remove any makeup or debris from the skin.  The second cleanse is to really get in there and cleanse the skin.  Pat skin dry with a towel and tone.

Step 2:  Exfoliate.  After cleansing, steam the face to open your pores and increase circulation.  Simply placing your face over a pot of freshly boiled water will do the trick.  I like to drape a towel over my head as well to trap the steam, but it’s not essential.  After 1-2 minutes, apply your homemade facial scrub using your fingertips in gentle, circular motions.  Gently massage for at least 30 seconds.  Return your face to the steam for 3-5 minutes.  Remove scrub with warm water.  Pat skin dry with a towel and tone.

Step 3:  Mask:  Apply your homemade mask using your fingertips.  Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes and remove with lukewarm water and a washcloth.  Pat skin dry and apply your favorite serums and/or moisturizer.

*Remember the Wellness Shop is open, so if you’re running low on your favorite skin care product, we are offering at home deliveries or curbside pick-up.

I hope this serves you well and I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

-Vanessa