Couscous and Quinoa Salad

There are some foods that make you feel healthier and happier after you eat them. There are also some people that make you healthier and happier after you are around them (but don't eat them... cannibalism is generally frowned upon...). I am lucky enough to have a lot of really positive influences in my life. One of the most recent people that have made such a huge difference in my life is a woman I met while volunteering with Alzheimer's patients. Volunteering has been an amazing experience, getting to know such wonderful people who have lived such full lives has been awesome. At twenty years old, I have far less life experience than the people in the program, but there is still never a lack of things to discuss. I've learned so much in the three short months that I've been volunteering there.
The one person who has been such a great influence there is the program coordinator. She is one of those people who is just full of light, no matter what the situation. Talking to her about a vast array of things has been so helpful to me. Being around her, the other volunteers, and the participants of this lovely program is one of those things that just makes you feel so happy and mentally healthy.

While this salad might not be life changing, it is lovely to eat it on a quiet night just as the sun is going down, when you can reflect on the wonderful people that have affected your life.

This recipe is more like a general idea of what to put in this salad, as you can use so many different things. It would be lovely with lemon instead of balsamic vinegar, parmesan instead of feta, or a million different vegetables or herbs mixed in. This is just my take on it.

Couscous and Quinoa salad
Makes one very large serving

1/4 cup dry quinoa, then cooked according to package
1/3 cup dry Israeli couscous, cooked according to directions
1/4 of a red onion
1/2 of a tomato
2-4 tbs parsley
1/2-1 cup spinach
2 tbs crumbled feta cheese
1 tbs sun dried tomatoes
2 tsp olive oil
1-3 tbs balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Chop all vegetables, cook quinoa and couscous, toss veggies, quinoa, and couscous and top with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Enjoy and feel happy! :)