I know that it is summer, and a summer salad that is low in calories is a good thing to think about. Lose the mayo and use some fresh herbs and Quinoa.

Here is a quick recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup Quinoa ( pre cook your quinoa, following the directions on the package. Most call for a cup of quinoa to 1 -1/4 cup water, bring to a boil and simmer for about 12 minutes.)

Some herbs from your garden if you have fresh.

I used 1/8 cup fresh parsley, 4 basil leaves, 2 sage leaves.

2 tesp olive oil

2 teasp agave

2 cup spinach. You can use fresh or frozen ( thawing out frozen by steaming)

2 cloves garlic ( I used something new- garlic ropes that I cut up into small pieces)

While you Quinoa is simmering, steam some spinach.

In a blender or food processor mix the oil agave and herbs, add some water while mixing or more olive oil. It should look like pesto consistency. Put to the side.

Mix the spinach with the quinoa and add the herbs.

Top with grated carrots for color.

Here is what it looks like. Servings: about 8.Quinoa is 170 calories for 1/4 cup.

Quinoa provides you with 31 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams protein, 4 grams dietary fiber, 2.5 grams fat