Joining up with Jenna for #5Faves Fun!!
Summer makes it so hard to cook, doesn't it? It's hot and you're on the go, and there's fried seafood and burgers and ice cream everywhere! Here's what we've been eating to stay cool and somewhat healthy.
1)
Caprese Salad
I just can't get enough of this. I'm growing tomatoes this year, but they aren't quite ready for picking, so I just buy the little baby tomatoes and the little balls of mozzarella and pick some basil and add this dressing, and voila! A one minute side dish.
2)
Grilled Chicken
I mean, duh, everyone grills chicken in the summer.
We marinate it in this dressing (don't use the lite version, the full fat is much better for marinating) and all 8 of us gobble it up. I throw any leftovers in a salad the next day.
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| Lunch for two. |
3)
Sweet Potatoes and Onions
While you're grilling outdoors anyways, make a foil packet with sliced/chopped sweet potatoes, sliced onions and toss with olive oil and salt and pepper and garlic. So good and easy.
4)
Salads
I eat them all sorts of ways, just load up on the fresh veggies and add some kind of protein - boiled eggs, leftover chicken, chickpeas, chopped ham and cheese, blue cheese and walnuts, this isn't rocket science :) And pick a yummy dressing you like, don't worry about choosing something low-fat or less-calorie - just look for an oil based one, not creamy. Fat is not the enemy! Carbs are, sadly.
5)
Chobani Greek Yogurt
While I am a big fan of their Flip varieties (loaded with candy treats), when I'm looking to eat healthier I just pick up their blended greek yogurt. My favorite current flavors are:
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| WATERMELON |
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| COFFEE |
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| KEY LIME |
We eat yogurt every.single.day. for either breakfast or lunch. It's such an excellent source of protein and antibiotics. And it's easy and portable for work/camp.
Bonus:
Cottage Cheese with Fruit
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| Ignore the croutons with a side of salad, this was during my last pregnancy! |
Protein, cheesy, salty, and sweet. It hits all the cravings except the crunchy one, so add some baby carrots on the side :)
What are your summer healthy favorites? Dish... (get it, dish?)
Everything looks so fresh and healthy! Love it! Thanks for inspiring me to work hard and eat healthy. I want to be just like you when I grow up - wink!
ReplyDeleteWatermelon flavored yogurt...really? That doesn't seem quite right!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the salads - lettuce, veggies, some sort of protein - perfect-o!
These all sound so refreshing for summertime! I've been loving a watermelon, arugula, feta and balsamic salad this summer. Every time I make it I devour it!
ReplyDeleteI have to try that watermelon yogurt!
ReplyDeleteYum! I can definitely see some additions to the grocery list for next week!!
ReplyDeleteYum! I’m a big fan of homemade hummus and either crackers or veggies. My kids love it too. We also are fanatics about all the summer fruit on sale right now, sometimes smeared with (FULL FAT) cream cheese or peanut butter. Also, have you ever visited the site Kalyn’s Kitchen? She seems to have the best garbanzo bean salads (and salad recipes in general) I have ever tried. When I have g.beans, tomatoes, cilantro and limes on hand, I go ahead and whip up a big batch of that salad and eat it all week. So, so good. Also, I can’t forget smoothies. I have one every night post-workout. I don’t add sweeter, just plain yogurt, chia seeds, nuts, avocados, spinach and/or kale and whatever fruit suits my fancy. So, so satisfying!
ReplyDeleteYum, yum and yum. I have been eating salads and fresh veggies through this whole pregnancy, which is quite abnormal for me. I am noticing the difference in how I feel and the better nutrition/caloric intake compared to those heavier Midwestern meals I'm used to. I'm hoping I can keep up the healthy salads and veggie eating after baby arrives so I can bounce back a bit easer. I hope. I agree, when it's the summer time and we are more busy, picking up something quick seems easier but we try not to give in at least not too often. Normally, we aren't near all of those temptations of faster foods, but we are in town more in the summer with activities so they are more accessible. Throw in pregnancy cravings and mom is a sucker for the drive thru.
ReplyDelete