Let’s talk about 5 easy summer recipes to start your day right. Every year I vow that I will be more active in the winter. That I will eat better and not cave into the temptation of grazing and snacking during the long months of short dark days that seem to last forever here in Maine. Sure enough by March the pounds have creeped up again, and it seems like every year the needle tips a little farther the wrong direction.
Here we are in June now and I’m still working hard to reach my goals and tone my body. Since we are empty nesters, I am often only making meals for myself. I’m also very busy so I need them to be quick and easy while also being nutritious. Here are the easy summer recipes to start your day off right. I use these to feed my body nutritious whole food with minimal effort.
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The Glowing Green Smoothie
I first learned about the Glowing Green Smoothie years ago from reading the book The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Snyder. Since then Kimberly has published other books but this one remains a favorite. The Glowing Green Smoothie is what she named the smoothie that is one of the foundations of her beauty detox lifestyle. I will link her online recipe here for you: https://mysolluna.com/ggs/
Although I have made the original, I do tend to adapt it for my busy lifestyle and also because I no longer drink these multiple days in a row. However, the principle is the same–to get as many healthy greens in your body in an absorbable way as you can.
My adaptation of the morning smoothie generally looks like this:
- Large handful of spinach, romaine, or kale (whatever I have on hand)
- One apple chopped up (full of useful fiber)
- 1/2 to 1 banana depending on the size
Blend all together, but do not over-blend. You have the healthy greens, the fiber from the apple, and the banana making this sweet enough to enjoy while providing beneficial nutrients.
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The Berry and Almond Milk Smoothie
This one is not really based on a recipe it’s more a conglomeration of a bunch of things that are super healthy for our body and mind. The benefit is that it also tastes delicious!
For this your will need the following:
- 1 cup frozen mixed berry blend
- 1 cup of Nondairy milk of your choice. I prefer almond mild but any kind will work.
- handful of spinach (optional)
- 1/2 to 1 banana for sweetness
- Additional water added to make the smoothie the consistency you want
Put all ingredients in the blender except the water. Blend and add the water a little at a time until your smoothie is the consistency that you want it to be.
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The Smoothie Bowl
Very similar to the above berry smoothie, however, the smoothie bowl has some benefits over its more liquid cousin. First, you eat (or slurp) it with a spoon which allows it to feel more like a meal and less like a morning drink. Second, you are able to incorporate things like healthy seeds, nuts, and nut butters, which is my favorite part, other than adding some Cacao Nibs for some chocolate flavor high in antioxidants.
With a smoothie bowl, you are able to add in protein and healthy fats easily which makes this the perfect morning or afternoon meal.
Try making a smoothie bowl with the following ingredients or substitute your own healthy choices:
- frozen mixed berries or fruit
- Nondairy milk of choice
- Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
- Banana (optional for sweetness)
- Chia Seeds or Flaxseeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Cacao Nibs
- Nut Butter (optional)
Blend the first five ingredients in a blender, adding the milk slowly to your desired thickness. Pour into a bowl. Top with a Tablespoon of Hemp Seeds for extra protein, a Tablespoon of Cacao Nibs for antioxidants (and flavor!), and a spoon of Nutbutter.
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Greek Yogurt and Fruit Parfait
I remember as a young adult hating the taste of plain unsweetened Greek Yogurt. I missed the sugary taste of all those little cups of yogurt that are more like desert than breakfast. Now I love the taste of Greek Yogurt and I have created my own healthier version of a fruit and yogurt parfait.
I love that I get in my antioxidants with the berries, my protein with the yogurt, and healthy fats with the seeds. This is one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast and sometimes I even have it for lunch.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup of Greek Yogurt of choice (my favorite is Stonyfield Organic Plain Whole Milk Greek Yogurt)
- 1 cup of fresh berries
- 1 tbs hemp seeds (or seeds of choice) for the top
Salad In a Mason Jar
This idea is not my own. I saw a similar salad made on YouTube and I thought it was a great idea. The YouTuber I watched got it from TikTok so I think this idea is making it’s rounds on social media, and with good reason–it’s genius.
So here’s the idea–your put all of your ingredients into a mason jar, in the reverse order of where you are going to want them in your salad. Be creative with this! For example, salad dressing is the first thing to go in. Then whatever your smallest cut up veggies are (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc) and you layer these. Next would be something like beans or rice, and last your lettuce.
The next day when you are ready to have your lunch you simply take off the lid, turn the mason jar upside down, and shake…….waalaa a completely prepared, beautiful salad lands in your bowl!
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Easy Summer Recipes to Start Your Day Off Right
I hope that you enjoy both making and eating these healthy summer recipes. I love everything about summer, not the least of which is eating light foods like fruit smoothies or fresh fruit. Nature gives us the perfect foods to fuel our bodies well.
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