Chickpea, Avocado & Feta Salad

Avocados are one of my favourites. I am always looking for recipes that include them. While I was in Palm Springs my friend Danny introduced me to this recipe from the blog Two Peas and their Pod. They have some interesting salad recipes. I will certainly be giving them a try as the weather hopefully warms up

This recipe involves no cooking so I think you might say that I assembled it. It was so easy. We served it as part of a buffet for a party. It claims that it only need 5 minutes to make this healthy salad! It took me a little bit longer. 

SERVES 4

prep time: 5 MINUTES

total time: 5 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 avocados, pitted, and chopped
1/3 cup chopped cilantro (Coriander)
2 tablespoons green onion (Spring onion)
1/3 cup feta cheese
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, combine chickpeas, avocado, cilantro, green onion, feta cheese, and lime juice. Stir until mixed well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Voila - it's that easy. Looks impressive and tastes delicious. I thought that adding cherry tomatoes sliced in half would add some colour and some vitamin C.

Escapism

The holiday to California was pure escapism. Sunshine and yes blue skies , lift the spirits in the middle of a northern hemisphere winter. Everything about it felt as if it was summer. I ate light fresh summery food. Interesting salads, fresh fruit, ripe avocados and grapefruits and tangerines picked from the tree in the garden. It doesn't get fresher than this!

 

It got me thinking how for some of us, and I include myself in this category, that when things get busy we stop doing the things that we actually need to make us feel better with life and ourselves. When work pressures build up and there is a shortage of time, I find that I drop the meditation routine, my morning writing and eat without thinking what I am feeding my body. The only thing that seems to remain as a non negotiable is sleep. Seven hours as a minimum. Without that I would be unable to function.


I made a promise to myself that when I got home, I would prioritise the things that I have introduced into my life that make me feel good. I am keeping a note of what I do and when. It will be interesting to see the impact that these things have on my well being  - and interestingly how bad I feel when I am too busy to do them.

                                              I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile I'll leave you
                                                                        with this!!

Time for some rest and relaxation

It's been a very busy 6 weeks at work since returning from the Christmas break. It must be time for some rest and relaxation.

Where better than a trip to see my friends Danny and Alan, who have bought a condo in Palm Springs, California.   I arrived here last on the 11th February. It's been very warm and sunny. Is it really February? You could easily forget that it is.

After a couple of days to adjust to the time difference, my brain is no longer foggy and I'm sleeping through the night.

SoCal (Southern California) is a paradise in winter. Blue skies, sunshine, mountains, palm trees, swimming pools and surprisingly healthy food. The snow birds are here in force, all escaping the cold winter of the Canadian and North American winter. It's a popular destination and I can see why. This has to be so healthy for older people than enduring the cold of a northern hemisphere winter. For me a blast of sunshine in the middle of winter is such a treat. My vitamin D levels are being topped up.

       As I write this is the view from the patio. 

Deliciously Ella Every Day and Signs that spring is on the way.

Have you noticed that the days are getting longer? It was almost 5 p.m. this evening before it started to get dark.
 

                            I came across this clump of snowdrops. I almost walked past them.

  

When I arrived home my latest cook book had arrived "Deliciously Ella Every Day"

Looking forward to reading this and planning some new meals to cook.