A healthy Avocado & Black Bean Salad... before going to the Oprah show - Part 1.

So I have a story to tell... here is Part 1.

Tomorrow is going to be one of the happiest days of my life because I will finally get to meet my idol, the amazing Oprah Winfrey!  YES!  It all started when my friend, Marian, decided to participate in an Oprah contest where she had to briefly explain why she is such a huge Christina Aguilera fan.  Marian was actually one of the contest winners and will get special seating being the huge fan she is.  She asked me to be her plus one... isn't she such a great friend?  How could I say no?  I was going to be given the chance to meet the legendary Oprah Winfrey.  So I said, "hell yes I'll go!" 

I'm sure my friend Jhiane felt left out because Marian chose me to go with her.  So being the good friend I am, I decided to apply on behalf of Jhiane for the general audience Oprah tickets.  Things get better... Jhiane won too!  Are we lucky or what?  Jhiane is allowed to bring three additional guests, so we are taking her sister, my sister, and my cousin!  Woo hoo!  Long story short, based on one person's obsession with Christina Aguilera, five other people have been given the opportunity to meet Oprah Winfrey!  I should have Part 2 of this story posted in a couple days... what happens at Oprah?

Now the food part... I worked from home today and totally watched my diet hoping for the slightest chance I may be on camera tomorrow.  I wanted to make a healthy salad for lunch, something with avocado so my skin would look radiant. :-)  I came up with an Avocado and Black Bean salad that consists of all fresh ingredients and very little Olive Oil.  I devoured this salad; it tastes amazing and satisfied my hunger for a long time!  This salad took less than 20 minutes to put together. As you can see below, this dish is packed with tons of nutrients.

NUTRITION: Avocados is good source of Vitamin K, Fiber, Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. 
Black Beans are a very good source of Fiber, Folic Acid, Vitamin B1, Protein, and Iron. 
Tomatoes are a good source of Vitamins A and C. 
Lime is an excellent source of Vitamin C.


INGREDIENTS:

• Goya Black Beans 15 oz - rinsed & drained
• Plum Tomatoes - 2 (chopped)
• Red Onion - 1/2 medium (chopped)
• Scallions - 1/2 bunch (chopped)
• Jalapeno - 1 (deseeded)
• Avocado - 1 (cut in small cubes)
• Salt - 1/4 tsp (or to taste)
• Black Pepper - 1/4 tsp
• Lime - 1 (zested & juiced)
• Olive Oil - 1/2 tbsp (optional... you can do without it)
• Vinegar - 1 tbsp
• Fresh Cilantro - 1 bunch (chopped)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Rinse and drain the black beans.

2. Add the beans to a bowl.

3. Chop the tomatoes, onion, scallions, and jalapeno.

4. Add the chopped ingredients to the same bowl.

5. Get your avocado.

6. Cut the avocado into little squares.

7. Now scoop out the avocado into the bowl. 

8. Add salt and black pepper.

9. Zest a lime.

10. Juice the same lime.

11. Toss.

12.  Add olive oil... this is optional, you don't really need it.

13. Add vinegar.

14. Chop the cilantro.

15. Add the cilantro to the bowl and toss.