I work from home, which is a blessing and a curse.

There’s always laundry, dog toys, and dishes in the sink.

I only have two kids (and two dogs) and I never sit down.  I wonder how anyone does it with more?

We live a different age though, our kids are over scheduled, and so are we. But that is a whole other post for a different day.

Anyway, I have been so busy lately that I have found myself skipping lunch. GASP!  Not that I cannot go without a meal, but by 3pm my head starts hurting, and I stop functioning, so I know I need to do a better job planning my nourishment.

So many people ask me for “quick” recipes.

Well, I cannot necessarily give you a really quick recipe, that plays into the world we already live it.  We have enough easy, convenient foods, and those foods are wreaking havoc on our lives.

Simple, slow food is what we need, the key is planning and preparing enough to get you through a few meals.  So, here is what you do, make this delicious nutrient packed salad and dressing, in a large quantity, and eat it for 2-3 days.

Here is one of my favorite simple salads and my go-to homemade dressing.  As always, use organic ingredients whenever possible.  Also, keep nuts, seeds, beans, avocado and dressing separate when storing the salad in the fridge.  Just add about a 1/3 cup beans, and an handful of nuts and seeds to salad when you are ready to serve.

Simple Nutrient Rich Salad

1 large head of green lettuce

2-3 chopped carrots

2-3 chopped celery stalks

2 Tablespoons chopped chives

1 can garbanzo (aka chickpeas) rinsed and put in sealed container

handful pepitos (roasted and salted pumpkin seeds)

handful raw slivered almonds

1/4 to 1/4 chopped avocado

Dressing (adapted from Gwyneth Paltrow’s Standby Vinaigrette)

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

2 teas real Vermont Maple Syrup

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

course Celtic Sea Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Whisk together top 3 ingredients, then add oil, season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy this delicious salad and dressing!