WIAW: Cheesy Quinoa with Broccoli and Carrots {Recipe!}

it's that time of week again!! I <3 WIAW :)
as usual, this is tuesday's eats/workouts/outfit!
workout #1: 6am BodyPump class. I made sure not to slack off on my weight at all and was really feeling the burn! I'm finally back to going to class more than once a week, and since I just went on Sunday I think that's also why everything was on fire (in a good way!).
breakfast: a (FREEEE! i love my gold card..) Starbucks venti nonfat cappuccino with 3 pumps of vanilla syrup. go big or go home, people! ;) i also had a piece of nutty bread with sharp cheddar and a scrambled egg on the side.

outfit: it's been a bit chilly the past few days, so i went with pants today. the red striped tank is one of my favorites because it's so comfy and fits me well. and i love my heeled cowgirl boots.. so comfy!

lunch: a big wrap with avocado, about 1/2 cup of my cheesy quinoa (recipe below!), a fried egg, and some asiago cheese. this combo was awesome!

i also had a small bowl of cherries that i got at the farmer's market last weekend on the side.

now, for the recipe! i was craving a lighter, veggie-packed side dish last weekend and came up with this gem. i used up all the rainbow quinoa i've had in my cabinet for awhile, too! recipe success!

It's definitely one of my favorite recipes that I've created so far - I hope you enjoy!

Cheesy Quinoa with Broccoli and Carrots

by Julianna Foster

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Keywords: saute steam entree side gluten-free nut-free vegetarian vegetable quinoa

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Ingredients (4 servings)

• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 bag of steam-in-bag broccoli
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 4 wedges of the Laughing Cow Light Swiss cheese
• 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Rinse quinoa, then place in a medium pot with the water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.

Meanwhile, cook the steam-in-bag broccoli, then chop broccoli into small pieces.

When the quinoa is done cooking, add the broccoli, carrots, and cheeses and stir until everything is combined.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve warm or chilled - enjoy!

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snack was a piece of toast with the coconut peanut butter i picked up the other day. this stuff is SO FREAKIN DELICIOUS. i can't keep my spoon out of it.. and also went back for a second piece of toast with a thick smear of the stuff. i think the jar's about a third gone and i've had it for a day... someone rescue me! ;) 

workout #2: i know, i know, 2 workouts in a day = crazy!! but this only happens on tuesdays because i get out of school early, and one of my favorite bodypump classes is on tuesday mornings. so, 2 workouts it is! i've also noticed that doing cardio later in the day after taking bodypump helps me not be as sore the next morning because it gets my blood flowing. 

today i did 20 minutes on the elliptical and then ran 2 miles @ ~8:00 pace. sweaty happy mess!

snack #2 was a big protein smoothie with 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, ~2 cups frozen berries, and vitamin water zero (lemon flavored), topped with slivered almonds and puffed millet

then i headed to the store to pick up the ingredients to make chocolate peanut butter cupcakes for a few of the ladies in the college & career center at my school that i aide for! they're amazing women and i wanted to thank them before the end of the school year.

i followed this recipe and OHMYGOODNESS foodgasm they're SO good!! if you're looking for an indulgent treat these are your cupcakes ;)
dinner was a big salad (#JunePowermealADay!) which was mixed greens, cucumbers, mushrooms, grilled chicken, and sesame ginger vinaigrette. on the side was a piece of kashi pizza.

and of course dessert was one of those cupcakes! good thing i'm giving them away otherwise we'd definitely have a problem... ;)

what's your favorite kind of cupcake?
are you participating in the june powermeal a day?

every weekend should include...

...a fun giveaway! (it ends next saturday so make sure you enter before then!)

...a Saturday morning bike ride to the farmer's market

...a deliciously thick smoothie bowl for breakfast (in the blender: 1 1/2 cups frozen berries, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, lime juice, ice, and some lemonade vitamin water zero, topped with pb cheerios)

...playtime with my girl lexy

...a little shopping (have i mentioned that i'm obsessed with purses and wallets? i think i have over ten...)

...a fun maxi skirt

...spoonfuls of almond butter with chocolate chips (actually, every day should include this!)

...laying on the couch doing absolutely nothing! pure bliss

...eating huge bowls of chocolate froyo with graham cracker, almond meal, and toffee bits

...morning snuggle time with ginnie mae

 ...a heart-pumpin workout! today i did 15 minutes on the stair climber, a bodypump class, and a 2-mile run!

...a super-satisfyingly delicious egg, avocado, and sharp cheddar sandwich 

...coffee. 'nuff said.

now you tell me: what should every weekend include?

Julianna Bananna Turns One! {GIVEAWAY!}

as I mentioned in my previous post, Julianna Bananna turned one this past Tuesday! I feel so lucky to have discovered the amazing blogging community, and I know my senior year of high school would have been SO different had I not started this blog. one of the fun perks, too, is that I basically have my entire year documented on the blog, which will be so much fun to look back at in the future!

anyway, as my way of saying THANK YOU for continuing to read my posts (despite my putting sprinkles on everything, posting way too many pictures of my kitties, and being crazy in general!), for commenting, tweeting, liking my Facebook page, and for being YOU, I put together a little giveaway to celebrate! I love you guys so much!

there will be TWO lucky winners!!

each box includes:

• 2 packets of my favorite TJ's trail mix (almonds, cashews, and cranberries)
• 2 mini Luna bars
• 1 oatmeal cookie Zbar
• 1 big Luna or Clif bar 
• 1 packet of Justin's nut butter
• 2 homemade peanut butter cookies from yours truly
• 1 bar of dark chocolate
• 1 bag of pop chips

how to enter:

• MANDATORY: leave a comment on this post telling me what you like about my posts or what you would like to see more of in the future! 
• optional extra entry: like my Facebook page and leave a comment telling me you did so

the giveaway closes Saturday, June 9 at 12pm PST. good luck!