Summertime!! Bring on the Picnics!!

It’s summertime! This is the perfect time for lemonade, watermelon, picnic salads, and barbecues! Summertime picnics and other social gatherings are loaded with food. You may find it difficult to eat good nutritious foods when those around you are not eating the same way as you. I, for one, am not the biggest fan of the tub of generic macaroni salad that gets brought to every picnic! There are so many healthier and better tasting options. Summertime is when all the best fruits and vegetables make an appearance! Tomatoes, melons, zucchini, peaches/nectarines, cherries! (Just to name a small few!) Take a visit to your local farmer’s market! There are many more markets open now that it’s the summer! Sometimes if you don’t have any ideas on a great summer dish, a trip to the farmer’s market can inspire you.

Click on this link to find a farmer’s market near you: CA FARMERS MARKET

The best thing you can do when you are invited to a summer potluck is to make something healthy of your own to bring. This not only gives you something healthy to enjoy at the picnic, but is also shows others how healthy food can be yummy and colorful!

Try some of these mouth watering summer picnic recipes!

Fruit Salad: Strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, cherries! Cut them into bite sized pieces and either arrange on a platter or toss together. I always find it funny that at every picnic there is someone who brings a whole watermelon without cutting it first. It usually ends up sitting on the table uneaten. If you watch, I bet you’ll see at least one lonely watermelon this summer. So cut your fruit ahead of time and make it attractive! Add fresh cut herbs or flowers to your platter for extra pizzazz.

Tantalizing Veggie Platter: You are also create an eye-pleasing vegetable platter for your friends to enjoy. Along with the usual celery, cucumbers and carrot sticks, throw in some unexpected delights such as sugar snap peas, baby corn, green beans, cauliflower, or radishes.

Quick and Easy Throw-Together Salads:

- Tomatoes, cukes, feta cheese, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil

- Pasta, pesto, white beans, zucchini, tuna

- Mozzarella cubes marinated in balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs

-Black Beans, brown rice, corn, chopped veggies with Mexican Vinaigrette Dressing (From my first blog!)

Fresh Lemonade: There is simply no comparison between concentrated/bottled lemonade, and lemonade made with fresh lemon juice. Sure, it may take more effort but I promise you it is worth all the work! It is okay to splurge and use regular sugar in your fresh lemonade, but for a healthier route, try this recipe:

6 tbs. agave nectar

1 cup lemon juice

1 lemon, thinly sliced

1 quart water

Ice cubes

Here are some unique and delicious recipes to try at your next summer picnic!!

Edamame & Chickpea Slaw

This recipe may sound a little odd, but you better believe it is tasty coleslaw. Try it on sandwiches, wraps or burgers too!!

1 ½ Cups Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)

¼ tsp. Sea Salt

4 tsp. Olive Oil, divided

1 Broccoli Stem, shredded

1 Head Cabbage, shredded

1 Head Purple Cabbage, shredded

1 Cup Shelled Edamame

3/4 Cup Red Bell Pepper, julienned

1 1/2 Cups Carrots, shredded

4 Green Onions, chopped

3/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Tbs. Raw Honey

2 Garlic Cloves, Minced

1/2 tsp. Fresh Ground Pepper

Combine broccoli, both cabbages, edamame, bell pepper, carrots and green onions in a large bowl, set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, garlic, caraway seeds, pepper and remaining 2 tsp oil; pour over slaw, tossing gently. Chill for at least 30 minutes. It tastes the best after a day or two of marinating!

Orange Wild Rice Salad with Turkey

4 Cups Cooked Wild Rice Blend

1 Cup Orange Sections (about 3 oranges)

½ Cup Diced Celery

½ lb. Smoked Deli Turkey, sliced thick and cut into 1-in. cubes

1/4-1/2 Cup Fresh Orange Juice

2 Tbs. Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Tbs. Dijon Mustard

1 ½ tsp. Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Combine rice, oranges and turkey in a large bowl. Combine orange juice and remaining ingredients; stir well with a whisk. Pour over rice mixture and toss well. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Question Time!! I’d like to have some fun here and answer any of your questions about healthy eating! This can also give me an idea of what kinds of topics you would like me to cover in my blog. I know my friends ask me things all the time because they know I will shoot it to them straight. So please, I encourage you to submit any of your healthy eating questions either to my e-mail or my facebook. Thanks everyone!!!!

SirenaKay.soc@gmail.com

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