Summer may be winding down, but Labor Day is quickly approaching. While most will be attending cookouts and day parties it is important to find balance in the foods you are eating. The chicken and ribs are very tempting but don’t forget to nourish your body with fruits and vegetables as well. At a lot of cookouts (at least the ones I have attended), there tends to be more meat and junk food than any other food, and if there is a salad it seems to go untouched.
Be the person at the end of the summer cookout that brings a delicious fruit bowl, refreshing salad, or flavorful veggie wraps. After all, did we work to reach our fitness goals only to gain all the weight back from eating at cookouts? I didn’t think so! Remember, it’s OK to indulge in the cookouts just find balance. Below, I share with you some tips and recipes for enjoying healthy summer recipes.
Tip One:
Find fresh produce that’s in season. Eating in-season produce is higher in nutritional value, cheaper, fresher, and tastes better.
READ: 4 Ways to Avoid Summer BBQ Bloat
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Tip Two:
While the meat is grilling throw some fresh vegetables on the grill for a few minutes. There is nothing tastier than lightly seasoned grilled vegetables. Vegetables in season during the summer that you can grill are summer squash, asparagus, bell peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
Tip Three:
Invest in a spiralizer! The weather can be unbearable depending on where you live. Being in North Carolina, I find it hot, humid, and unbearable tocook and eat hot foods. With a spiralizer, you can make quick and easy meals that are healthy and refreshing.
Tip Four:
Try exotic fruits like dragon fruit, jackfruit, and passion fruit. While you may not find specialty fruit at a typical grocery store, you often can find them at the local international market.
Now to the recipes! Although I enjoy cooking and finding ways to be creative in the kitchen, I believe in quick, easy, and delicious meals.
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Healthy summer recipes:
Very Berry Salad
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, champagne grapes, and blueberries
- 2 tablespoons of agave nectar
- ¼ cup of fresh-squeezed orange juice
Directions
- Rinse fruit and place in a nice-sized party bowl.
- Stir agave nectar into orange juice.
- Pour agave and juice mixture over the fruit.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes and serve!
READ: Summer Lights: Low-Fat & Sugar-Free Desserts
Not Your Ordinary Salad
Ingredients
- 3 chopped Roma tomatoes
- ½ red, green, and yellow bell pepper
- 1 chopped head of romaine lettuce
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 avocados chopped
- Grated parmesan (optional)
- Dressing: drizzle of ranch or cilantro dressing
Directions
- In a large salad bowl add all the above ingredients and mix well. Enjoy as a side salad or main dish. Can be served alone or with chopped chicken.
Mediterranean Veggie Wrap
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber thinly sliced
- 1 large firm tomato chopped
- Arugula
- 1 red onion chopped
- Cilantro jalapeño hummus
- Pack of pita wraps
Directions
Generously spread hummus on pita wraps. Place cucumber, red onions, and tomatoes evenly over the hummus. Last, add arugula and roll each wrap.
For the rest of this summer, I challenge you to be the balance and bring a healthy dish to your next cookout.
Very Berry Salad and Not Your Ordinary Salad are taken from Heels in the Kitchen: Fashionably Edible cookbook.
Elissa Mirsky, known to most as Elle, is a published author and former editor-in-chief of Bold Magazine. She believes food shouldn’t be boring and every meal should be fashionably edible. Follow her on Instagram @mylifebeingelle where she is documenting her journey to eat well, live life, and love self.
