SDA and recipes

I know it's been awhile since my last post, but i've been so caught up in school i've hardly had time to create something new. The other day I joined the Student Dietetic Association (SDA). I never met so many people just like me! As I sat down at a table, behind me girls filed in, sat down, and properly placed their tupperware's full of homemade spinach salads, fresh fruits, and organics snacks. More girls and a few guys dressed in underarmor leggings, basketball shorts, nike running shoes, and their SDA's shirts assembled the snack tables full of more fresh fruit, whole grain chips and hummus. (It was like I died and went to social heaven) The meeting proceeded to inform everyone about all the upcoming events, organizations, and plans for the spring semester. I jumped on the most recent event which was the potluck "meet and greet" dinner last night. Not knowing annoying at all, I decided to go and bring a couple of my favorite recipes. I made the lentil bean salad and a fresh greek pine nut couscous :)

It was really easy, all you need is:

• 1 box pine-nut couscous (pre seasoned)
• 3 asparagus stalks
• 2 vine tomatoes 
• about 8 kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley (or cilantro)
• 1/4 cup feta cheese
• 1/2 lemon (juiced)
• salt and pepper to taste

I use the Near East pine nut couscous, there's a great blend of seasoning and it only takes five minutes to cook. 

While the couscous is cooking, steam the asparagus for 3 minutes and then transfer to a bowl of ice water (to shock the asparagus keeping it crisp and green) A few minutes after the ice bath, chop the asparagus into 1 in pieces. Then dice the tomatoes and roughly chop the parsley. Add all the chopped ingredients, olives, and cheese to the couscous and squeeze the half lemon over the salad and toss together. Add salt & pepper and enjoy!

Here is a picture of the food table at the potluck last night! perfect.

There was a spinach garden salad, green apple & blue cheese arugala spring mix salad, whole-grain black bean chips, rice, black beans, vegetable lasagna, sausage lasagna, macaroni salad... and for dessert: whole wheat banana bread made with apple sauce, brown sugar, and ghirardelli chocolate chips (i'll be getting that recipe soon)!