Berries and Yogurt Whipped Cream

No. It is never something I say to dessert. Maybe I should, considering that I am currently trying to lose the baby weight. That stubborn baby weight. Unfortunately, I possess little discipline when it comes to most sweet foods, so I try to make substitutions here and there. 

This is my latest indulgence, which shouldn't even be considered dessert actually, since the main ingredients are greek yogurt and berries. Let's call it a healthy, luxurious mid-afternoon (or whatever time of day you are having it) snack. 

Berries and Yogurt Whipped Cream 

8 0z plain greek yogurt

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 

1 tbsp confectioners sugar 

fresh berries 

Whip the yogurt, cream and sugar together until light an fluffy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve topped with fresh berries. 

Quinoa Salad with Fresh Cherry Tomatoes

We have four tomato plants in the back yard but only one of them is producing ripe tomatoes at the moment. Beautiful, yellow cherry tomatoes are ripening overnight - every morning over the past four days, I get to clip a good handful off the branches. These are the gold nugget variety - a variety that is so sweet, it's a travesty to use them in any other preparation but raw and fresh. So here, they star with red and white quinoa, and some fresh herbs that I also picked from the garden. It's summer time in Minnesota!

Quinoa Salad with Fresh Cherry Tomatoes 
Serves 4 

2 cups cooked quinoa
2 cups cherry toamotes, halved
1/4 cup chopped chives
8 to 10 mint leaves, chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt, to taste

Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl, and mix well. This salad can be served at room temperature or cold.