Spinach and Basil Salad

This is a simple salad to prepare and quite refreshing.

Ingredients:

3-4 handfuls of baby spinach

4 leaves of fresh basil

1 small red onion

1 avocado

2 handfuls of tri-color cherry tomatoes

Dressing:

1 T mustard seeds

1 T balsamic vinegar

2 T olive oil

Heat mustard seeds in a hot wok stirring until they begin to pop. Turn off the heat and let them cool.

Slice the red onion and halve the larger cherry tomatoes. Break the stems off of the basil to be composted or thrown away and tear the leaves into bite-size pieces to add to the salad. Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

Minus the avocado mix all the ingredients with the dressing into a large serving bowl then slice the avocado on top of the salad to finish.

Health Benefits:

Mustard Seeds

Apparently mustard seeds were once used medicinally in ancient Rome and Greece. These little guys have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds are high in selenium which has been shown to help lessen the severity of asthma and decrease symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and they are a good source of magnesium which can positively effect sleep patterns in menopausal women and reduce the frequency of migraines. Hurray for the mustard seed!