Gratitude at Smith Rock and Mango Quinoa Salad
When I think of gratitude, I think of the simple things in life, like the beautiful hike and picnic our family enjoyed together this past week at Smith Rock, outside of Bend, Oregon. One of the simple recipes we enjoyed on our picnic by the river was a Mango Quinoa Salad with the freshest of fresh ingredients! I can’t wait to share the recipe with you today.
Thankful mindset.
A thankful mindset really keeps you in touch with reality. As my children are older now, I see gratitude welling up inside of them. I see it, because the simple things like hiking and enjoying nature with them, show me a few things about them:
1. Thankfulness. Our kids are always thanking Paul and me for what they’ve been given. It’s far greater than money or things; it’s the gift of “family.” My heart melts when I hear those words.
2. Tenderness. Because they are thankful, their quick and tender way of seeing the daily gifts that come their way–like being able to enjoy nature together as a family–is evident in their actions and words.
3. Generosity. It’s easy to take the gifts of life for granted, to accept them casually. No one is perfect at this, but when you don’t have a sense of entitlement, the tiniest of blessings make your heart full with gratitude.
Life doesn’t owe us.
We remind our kids that life does not owe them happiness or personal fulfillment. We become happy people not because we get what we want, but because we appreciate what we have.
I think they are getting it.
I’m still getting it. (Two out of three kids below.)
Gratitude.
Gratitude is something that I work on daily. It takes cultivation, just like the work we put into our garden.
It’s happens when I slow down and look at the gifts around me—all the blessings of friends and family— and I recognize that it’s because of God’s great love that I’ve been given these things.
It’s about acknowledging and being thankful, and putting to rest any resentment or longings for things that I think I may lack. (Hubby kissed by the sun.)
Forward and backward.
I love to thank God.
It works inside and out. Forward and backward. That’s why it’s important to express to others gratitude for their being in my life.
This hike was another lesson for me, as we journeyed back to the car at dusk, on a gorgeous springy Oregon night.
Stars were bright.
What’s important.
Every step reminded me of things that were important.
The sounds of nature brought a quietness and stillness to my soul.
I looked around at these big kids, that used to be so small, and my heart welled up with gratitude.
“A grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life.” – Sarah Young
Simple picnic.
Now for the simple picnic. We packed snack foods such as crackers, curd, cheese, jicima, and green apples. I made BLT Green Apple Sandwiches – recipe to come!
And we indulged in our favorite springtime salad using mangos, Mango Quinoa Salad.
Just look at all the fresh ingredients … and enjoy!
What simple things in life, or in nature, bring a sense of gratitude to you?
Mango Quinoa Salad
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 tsp. agave nectar or honey
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
- 1 cup mango, chopped in small pieces
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced carrots
- 1/4 cup diced red pepper
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries (optional)
Directions:
Mix the first 5 ingredients in a bowl; set aside.
Add the other ingredients together in a larger bowl.
Mix in the dressing. Serve!
Photos by my daughter, Abigail.
