Week Day Lunch - Part 1: Garbanzo Avo Salad

Ok, so I don't know about you but there comes a point when: (a) I don't have a lot of time (b) I'm craving something full of vitamins/nutrients (c) I just need a break from eating chicken, turkey or fish or (d) all of the above. Some of you are like, "You're crazy! I'm a meat loving carnivore!" And others may be pondering, "ya could use a break." Don't get me wrong, we all still need to eat protein. Beans or legumes are a wonderful source. Last week I came up with this salad by listening to what my body was craving. Seriously. Have you been listening? Enjoy! ;)

Week Day Lunch - Part 1: Garbanzo Avo Salad

Ingredients:

1 Can of Organic Garbanzo Beans, rinsed

1/2 of an Avocado, chopped small

1 small Carrot, peeled & finely chopped 

1/8 cup Red Onion, finely chopped

*Drizzle of Brianna's Home-style Rich Poppyseed Dressing

*Drizzle of Brianna's Real French Vinaigrette Dressing

Dash of Simply Organic Garlic Powder

Dash Salt

Dash Pepper

Optional Dash of Red Cayenne if you like a bit of bite

3/4 cup Red Leaf Lettuce, roughly chopped

1/2-3/4 cups cooked/leftover rice/quinoa

Directions:

1. Get a medium size bowl, cutting board, good chopping knife and small salad bowl prepped. 

2. Add the rinsed garbanzo beans to the medium size bowl. Continue to add the avocado, carrot, onion, dressings and spices.

3. Roughly rinse and chop the desired amount of Red Leaf Lettuce. Usually I eat about 3/4-1 cup per serving. Set aside.

4. Slightly warm up the leftover rice or quinoa in the micro. Or prepare a new batch. Add a touch of Smart Balance Margarine, Salt & Pepper. 

5. Add about 1/2-3/4 cups of rice/quinoa to the salad bowl. Top with Red Leaf Lettuce and the Garbanzo Avo Salad. Dig in!

*Chef's Notes: Please note than Brianna's salad dressing does not claim to be gluten-free or dairy free on the bottle but the website does state these ARE on the safe list. Here is the comprehensive allergy/nutrition guide from their website: http://www.briannassaladdressing.com/products.html. And if you are curious, I'm loving the izze esque fruit juice sweetened soda's. So good and only 10-11 grams of natural fruit sugar for the whole bottle. Awesome.