
This weekend, we went on our first summery hike of the year. The weather was warm and the sun was shining.
It was our first hike of the year that we didn’t think we were going to: 1) freeze to death, or 2) sink 3 feet deep in the mud.

I didn’t even need a jacket!

Yes, I’m one of those hardcore people who lug their big camera on a hike. ;)

It was worth it though! I love taking pictures of nature.


This waterfall pic below was taken using a slower shutter speed (1/20). Slow shutter speeds create flowy and ‘creamy’ looking waterfalls.

This one below was taken using a faster shutter speed (1/400), which creates more individual drops and a broken up look. Cool, eh?

We hiked about 6k and then raced home to devour lunch.

Feature ingredient: strawberries!

I wanted to create a fruit salad with more staying power, one that was high in protein and healthy fats. I thought quinoa would be a fun grain to use in a fruit salad because it is so light in both texture and flavour. It’s also a complete protein source and gluten-free.
I added some protein and calcium-packed almonds along with a lightly sweetened dressing.
Open mouth. Inhale. Repeat.

Oh She Glows
High Protein Quinoa Almond Berry Salad (Vegan & GF)
Yield: 2-3 as a main, 4-6 as a side.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup dry quinoa
- 1 pint strawberries, sliced (2.5-3 cups)
- 16 oz. fresh blueberries (1.5-2 cups)
- 1 cup cherries, pitted and sliced
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (or lemon might work!)
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
Directions:
1. Cook quinoa according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, chop the fruit and place in a large bowl.
3. Mix the dressing ingredients (maple syrup, balsamic, lime juice, salt) in a small jar and adjust to taste if necessary. Note: You may have to double the dressing recipe if your salad is quite large.
4. Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork and add to large bowl with fruit. Combine. Pour on dressing and mix well. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge until serving time. Serves 2-3 as a main or 4-6 as a side. Or if you are reeeeally hungry 2 people!

The fluffy quinoa soaked up the fruity flavour from the berries and dressing, making a party in my mouth. This would make a great fruit salad to bring to a summer BBQ or gathering. It’s also good for a light & summery breakfast or snack.
That is, if you can share after you taste it!
We each gobbled down a couple heaping plates worth and stared in disbelief at the bottom of the empty bowl.
Who stole our fruit salad?!

Til next time fruit salad, til next time.
Green Monster Movement Update:
- Looking for Green Monster recipe inspiration? Check out the collection of 280 reader recipes over at GMM! So many great reader stories too.









{ 136 comments… read them below or add one }
Love it! I’ll have to try this soon, quinoa is a poor girls best friend :)
hehe yup…esp when you buy it by the 25 lb bag! I have quinoa coming out of my ears.
this would make a perfect breakfast! i love adding almonds to salads because they give the perfect crunch.
love the photos of the waterfall- beautiful hike!
Fruit salad doesn’t last long in our house, either ;) Love the addition of balsamic!
Wow those pictures are amazing. The waterfall shot is breathtaking! I miss being in nature so much living in Manhattan.
Wow! Your hiking route looks beautiful! I think I might just print out the 2nd picture of the waterfall and frame it! It is SO pretty!
As for the salad, I only have one word…YUM! I’ve been in love with berries lately! Nothing like a fruit salad you can have for a meal! :-D
That scenery is gorgeous and this salad looks delicious!
My mom just became a vegetarian and she’ll love this–thanks!
I hope she enjoys it!
Oooh that looks so good. Quinoa is by far my favorite grain and I love the fruit-twist on it!
YUM! That looks so good. LOVED your hiking pictures, by the way!
The hike was SO scenic. I love the pictures.
This salad looks delicious! I’ve never thought of incorporating quinoa into my fruit salads! Love this idea.
Have a fantastic week!
This salad sounds so refreshing on a summer day. Love the idea of it! Your hike looks gorgeous!
This looks so pretty! And it sounds like you guys had a great time out hiking. It’s one of the things on my to-do list this summer for sure. Have a great day Ange!
Looks incredible! I’m in Prince Edward Island right now itchin for a way to use up these gorgeous island berries. perfection!
oh I love PEI!
This salad looks delicious- I’d eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
I love quinoa+fruit. This salad looks perfect! Your photos are amazing, too. :-)
Beautiful photos from your hike!! And I’m pretty sure your quinoa photos are just as beautiful ;)
I love salads with quinoa or wheatberries with fruit. This is beautiful!
I always plow through plain fruit salad because it never fills me up – and since berries can be kind of pricey, it’s great to have a way to make it more satiating and last longer. Sounds like the perfect summer recipe!
This looks fantastic :) Great idea!
I just picked some strawberries yesterday that are just burning a hole through my fridge to be used. This is such a good summery recipe, yum! I was wondering what lens you used on this hike, some pictures seem to be taken with a wide angled but others are great close ups! I loved them all.
Thanks! I used our canon 17-85mm lens. The close ups were just cropped in lightroom. :)
What a gorgeous hike!
The quinoa bowl is beautiful too. I love incorporating fresh fruit into my summer salads.
What a fun and healthy twist on the “traditional” fruit salad!
I’ve never had quinoa with fruit so I’ll definitely try this out ASAP.
I think this dish may also be quite convenient for a to-go meal (like for work, road trips, outdoor activities).
Taking pictures of waterfalls is so fun because you can play around with different effects :)
I love the waterfall photos, really beautiful! Great photography!!
THose pictures are breathtaking!! Definitely worth lugging the camera around!
Beautiful pictures and beautiful food! I am looking forward to making this soon! This would be great with a little pure almond extract too!
:)
mmm yes great idea!!
Beautiful pictures Angela! Looks like you guys had a great time, as soon as the weather starts shaping up around here I hope to get out and be adventerous too :)
Love the waterfall pics! I need to try this:)
How could you not love something so bright and colorful?! Looks like the perfect post-hike meal :)
Angela, looks like a wonderful hike. I love getting outside as much as possible this time of year. The fruity quinoa salad looks amazing!
Hiking is my favorite weekend activity – too bad I haven’t had a chance to get out for one yet this year!
That salad looks really delicious.
Your pictures are so gorgeous! They make me want to go hiking too!
I really need to try quinoa I’ve just been afraid to. I’m not sure how to prepare it/what to serve it with!
In addition to this being perfect for summer, the colors make it even more perfect for the 4th of July! Quinoa is one of my favorite grains. I love how it goes with absolutely everything. I should bring this over to the family BBQ on the 4th, and spruce up the food spread with a healthy dish! I love being the one who brings something healthy that everyone actually likes.
great idea!
That looks SOOO yummy! Gonna make that, for sure! :D
quinoa pairs so well with fruit. have you ever put dried figs in a quinoa salad? sooo good!
no I dont think I have but that sounds amazing! I love dried figs! Dates would be good too :)
I was just looking for green monster recipes, so the link comes in really handy :) thanks!
Your pictures are gorgeous! And that salad… mmmm!
Your waterfall pics are GORGEOUS! I love how you share the details about the camera speed/setting!! I don’t own a dslr….yet! Its definitely at the top of my Christmas list this year!!
Do you just top the salad with almonds or stir them into the dish???
The colors of the salad are very “Fourth of July”.
I love refreshing summer fruit salads!
Balsamic and strawberries is such a great combo.
Nice looking hike! My hike yesterday looked very different. We’re still playing in the snow!
LOVE THIS! I love incorporating summery foods into all my meals and this is the perfect way to do it! Too bad cherries are like 6.99 a lb at my grocery store right now….yikes!