mommas lunch

hey you-aren't you sick of eating cheese and crackers, toddler leftovers and hiding the good stuff for bedtime...(oh, is that just me?)

I find myself so often cooking toddler friendly food that a week can easily go by on food that i don't really even enjoy eating.. so this week I'm switching it up, I made 2 easy and fresh salads with the same dressing! (love that) this is an easy way to maximize your time & ingredients while giving you a little variety.
These are healthy and MOMMA FRIENDLY,  your super lucky your toddler might eat these too (if your willing to share) ..but my guys aren't down, no meat or cheddar here - they out.

First lets start with the simple ingredients.

- 1 box of 'Casbah garlic & olive oil couscous'

(you could really use any grain, i was fresh out of quinoa, but whatever your fancy)

for the one box i split it in 2 and made both salads from 1 box of grains-awesome time saver

-1 cucumber (half for each salad) 

Tangy Lemon dressing

(half for each salad) 

-1/2 cup olive oil

-3 tablespoons of lemon juice

-salt & pepper

-zest of one lemon

from here the two salads split a bit, one having more depth with the berries and mango- the other staying lighter with more crunch..see below!

minted couscous veggie salad 
make couscous as package directs 
-1/2 red pepper, yellow pepper 
-1/2 cucumber 
-1/4 red onion 
-1/2 cup feta 
-5 leaves mint chopped for preference 
-add tangy lemon dressing (half) and combine  

berry basil couscous salad 

make couscous as package directs 

-1 cup blueberries 

-1/2 cup dried cranberries 

-1 cup diced mango

-1/2 cucumber 

-5 leaves basil chopped for preference 

-add tangy lemon dressing (half) and gently combine 

*optional, add almonds, slivered or whole*

(they provide nice crunch) 

this is the couscous my family enjoys, if your unfamiliar with couscous it is a middle eastern grain, very similar to a tiny rice, delicious and light. As mentioned, any grain you have on hand would do great, i can't wait to try with dark wild rice or quinoa 

happy monday! healthy and happy week to you