With the holiday season comes endless amounts of fun, joy, and, of course, sweets. An American winter holiday would not be complete without hot chocolate, pie, or sugary non-desserts like sweet potatoes. However, these foods can make you feel lazy, tired, and just craving more junk food. I found a great, healthy pick-me-up to make you feel re-energized and healthy during this winter season: quinoa Greek salad.

Quinoa is the major health food in this recipe. It is one of the most protein-rich grains you can eat. Also, it contains about twice as much fiber than any other grain. Because it has so much fiber and protein, just a small amount can fill and satisfy you. Other benefits include a surplus of iron, which is also found in red meats and soy products, and magnesium, which reduces your chance of getting type 2 diabetes.

Another super-food here is spinach. Known as one of the most powerful antioxidants, the vegetable regulates blood sugar and is a great source of vitamin C. Avocado is a third super-food in this recipe. It is made up of omega-3 fatty acids, which help with brain development, and vitamin E, which can slow and even reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Hopefully, none of you will get Alzheimer’s soon, but you can enjoy one of vitamin E’s other effects now, especially if you are an athlete. Vitamin E can help control free radicals, highly reactive atoms that can damage cells and accelerate cancer. The body naturally makes free radicals during vigorous aerobic exercise.

This recipe took about 30 minutes to make and lasted my family and me for three meals! Quinoa is very versatile. You can eat it for lunch, dinner, or a quick after-school snack, and you can pair it with almost anything: tomato and basil, lentils and cauliflower, and countless other combinations. This delicious quinoa Greek salad will make your body feel instantly energized and healthy – definitely a contrast to that after-pie slump. Enjoy!

Quinoa Greek Salad

Ingredients:

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa

1 cup water

2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped

1/2 cup shredded fresh spinach

1/3 cup finely chopped red onion

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

spinach leaves

2 avocados, pitted, peeled, and sliced

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

1. Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a small saucepan. After the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the quinoa, tomatoes, spinach, and onion.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, oil, and salt. Mix with the quinoa.
4. Arrange spinach and avocado on plates and top with quinoa. Sprinkle with feta.Yield: 4 servings