Quin-Whaa??!: Chicken Apple Quinoa Salad with Cranberries

So you gave up gluten?  Congrats, it's quite an accomplishment.  Well, actually, giving up gluten isn't an accomplishment; it's more of a statement.  It's the days, weeks, and months to follow that are the accomplishment.  But trust me, your belly will thank you.

So, what do I eat if I can't eat wheat?!

First of all, don't interrupt me.  Secondly, almost anything, but lets look at something grain-like, our new best friend, quinoa.  Quinoa is a staple for a gluten-free diet, and in addition to being gluten-free, it is loaded with tons of nutrients that pasta and rice only wish they could deliver.

Can we get to the recipe now?  I'm hungry

Me too, let's start. 

Quinoa, Apple, Cran Salad with Chicken

Fair warning: I make this in bulk so I can bring it for lunch, so this makes a fair amount

Ingredients 
1 cup quinoa (dry, it will grow like the ill-advised baby alligators that are supposedly running around the the sewers... remember that?)
2 chicken breasts
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3 apples
flax seed
olive oil


Instructions
Prepare the quinoa as directed and refrigerate until cool throughout.
Prepare the chicken the way you like it.  I like to sauté it in olive oil with pepper and a little bit of mustard. Cube and cool.
Chop the apples into cubes roughly the same size as the chicken pieces.
Toss all ingredients together in a bowl, adding as much flax seed as you want (go crazy!)
You're done!  Go watch reruns of Jersey Shore!


-Dodge

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Image credit
The picture is a compilation of images I found on Google image search, then got all Photoshop on their asses.  Check out where they came from!
Apples: http://www.sunipix.com/fruitsvegetables19.htm

Quinoa: http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/805865/creative-quinoa-recipes

Flax: http://muschiesbakedgoods.com/page8.html
Cranberries: http://www.cranmoms.com/2010/09/28/dry-your-cranberries/