Foodness Gracious - Week 111

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Recipes

It is 2026 and the era of pretending we will get healthy next month is officially over. This is the year we stop negotiating with ourselves and start putting health right on the plate. The good news is that healthy food no longer means boring food or sad desk lunches. This quinoa feta salad is proof that eating well can still feel satisfying, colorful, and very much worth your time.

This salad - Quinoa Feta Salad with Mixed Vegetables and Cilantro Dressing - is the definition of a one bowl win. Quinoa brings the protein and staying power, garbanzo beans add heartiness, and the mix of peppers and onion keeps every bite fresh and crisp. Cilantro pulls everything together with a bright herbal note, while feta adds just enough saltiness to remind you that healthy food can still feel indulgent.

Then there is the dressing, which deserves its own moment. Lemon juice brings the pop, olive oil keeps it smooth, garlic adds backbone, and salt and pepper do what they have always done best. The result is light, clean, and full of flavor without weighing anything down. It coats the salad without stealing the spotlight, which is exactly what a great dressing should do.

Put this salad on your weekly menu and let it do some of the heavy lifting for you. It works as a main dish, a side, or a meal prep hero for busy days. If you want a little extra fuel, add grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or even tofu. One bowl, endless options, and a strong start to a healthier year.

Reviews

If you are going to make a great salad, it deserves a great bowl. This large acacia wood salad bowl instantly upgrades your presentation and makes even a simple salad feel intentional. It is the kind of piece you leave on the counter because it looks that good.

The size is perfect for tossing without launching ingredients across the kitchen. The smooth wood finish feels solid and well made, and the natural grain adds warmth to any table. It comes with two wooden serving hands that are sturdy, comfortable to use, and designed for real serving, not just decoration.

Cleanup is refreshingly easy, which matters more than we like to admit. A quick wash and dry and you are done. No fuss, no lingering smells, and no fragile pieces to worry about. If you are serious about stepping up your salad game in 2026, this bowl earns its spot.

Be sure to check out all of our home kitchen product reviews!

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Responsibility

We love cooking at home, but life happens. Travel, busy days, and social plans sometimes mean eating out whether we planned to or not. That does not mean your health goals have to take the night off.

This article walks through simple, practical ways to spot healthier restaurant options without turning dinner into a research project. From reading menus more strategically to spotting red flags and hidden wins, it gives you tools you can actually use in the moment.

If you want to feel confident ordering out while still staying aligned with your goals, this is worth the click. A little awareness goes a long way, even when the meal is not coming from your own kitchen.

Learn more online at Foodness Gracious in our Responsibility section.

Foodness Fun - Did You Know?

Did you know quinoa is technically a seed, not a grain. It is one of the few plant foods considered a complete protein, which means it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs.

Garbanzo beans have been eaten for thousands of years and were a staple long before salads became trendy. They are filling, versatile, and quietly doing a lot of nutritional work behind the scenes.

Cilantro is one of the most polarizing herbs on the planet. Some people love it, some people swear it tastes like soap, and science says genetics are partly to blame. If you love it, this salad is firmly on your side.

Feta cheese has been around since ancient Greece and was traditionally stored in brine to preserve it. That salty bite is not just delicious, it is history showing up in your lunch bowl.