Strawberry Goat Cheese Quinoa and Arugula Salad With Balsamic Dressing

Well, hello beauty! Okay, it’s been super difficult to stop strawberries from sneaking into my cart every time I’m at the grocery store. I can’t help it! There they are all snuggled between my regular apples and my impulse potato chips. It’s been a while since strawberries have looked this good and therefore I had to make a Strawberry Goat Cheese Quinoa and Arugula Salad With Balsamic Dressing.

There are other reasons too. I’ve decided that I am no longer going to be a slave to calories. That’s it, we have broken up. I already have to count every (and I do mean every single) carbohydrate that dares to cross my plate. It’s just becoming too hard to worry about calories when sugar regularly saves my life. That’s the rub! It feels like I’ve failed every time I have low blood sugar. I know it’s confusing. Type One is so different from Type Two but that’s my reality: carbohydrates will kill, and sugar will save.

But! I cannot give up on my health. So, even though I’m forgetting about counting calories, I’m going to focus on only putting the best things in my body. So fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, and whole foods are my priority. And while this is easy for me because I love myself a good carrot, I have to be a lot more intentional about keeping my fridge stocked with good stuff. It’s not my favorite thing in the world to have to wash my veggies, cut them up, and properly store them right after a long and arduous trip to the grocery store. However, It’s so very worth it. I’ve already started to feel so much better. There is a pep in my step that just wasn’t there when I was worried about the wrong things.

So, this salad, right? Okay, it’s an absolute lifesaver! I love it! It’s a great way to eat your fruits and vegetables and not compromise on taste. The whole salad just kind of dances together for the best flavors and textures. I’m also a sucker for arugula. I love the peppery taste. It is always always always on my grocery list. It’s not Daniel’s favorite, so I sub it with spinach for him, so feel free to do the same if you don’t like it. But, really, how could you not?

Also, can we agree that Strawberry Goat Cheese Quinoa and Arugula Salad With Balsamic Dressing is a literal mouthful? It’s a really long title but it works. This salad is all about the way the strawberries and the goat cheese work together with that creamy and lemon-y tart flavor that just makes me want to jump up and down. And don’t even get me started on the toasted pine nuts. Kind of obsessed. The dressing is great too! You can use just a classic balsamic vinaigrette or you can use my recipe that is equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of all spice. It brings a slight warmth to the salad that is just necessary.

This salad is exactly what I needed to start feeling better. I know I’m still in for a long road ahead but I won’t stop working towards taking care of myself. Hope you all have an amazing day! I promise your day will be made that much better if you decide to make this salad.

Strawberry Goat Cheese Quinoa and Arugula Salad With Balsamic Dressing

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Find your summer salad bliss with this recipe for Strawberry Goat Cheese Quinoa and Arugula Salad With Balsamic Dressing!

• Author: Karlee Flores
• Prep Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

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2 cups cooked quinoa

1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

2 cups strawberries, cut

1 Fuji apple

1 avocado

2 cups packed arugula

1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

|| Balsamic Dressing || 

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

pinch of cinnamon

pinch of all spice

pinch of salt

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Instructions

Cook the quinoa to package directions and cool to room temperature and chill in the fridge for about an hour.

Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts, chop the strawberries, and slice the apple and avocado.

Divide the arugula and quinoa evenly between bowls and top with strawberries, avocado, apple, goat cheese and toasted pine nuts.

|| Balsamic Dressing || Whisk all ingredients together until well combined and drizzle over salads. 

Add more salt to taste. 

Notes

Typically a pinch is about 1/8th of a teaspoon.

Keywords: goat cheese, quinoa, salad, strawberries