Happy Wednesday – I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day! Ours was spent with lots of time outside, in the pool and with some friends. It was a good mix of fun and relaxation! I met one of my friends for a late lunch/early happy hour on Friday. We sat out on the patio and had good food, good drinks and good conversation for several hours.
(that’s the cute top I got at Target the other day). Honestly, that was the best way to kick off my long weekend. I had a pedicure and lunch date with Alice on Saturday – and my feet were in dire need. I mean – I hadn’t made it get a pedicure since before I ran my half marathon. My toes were in tragic condition. Here’s my nail color with a snow cone that my husband had waiting for me at home.
And, the rest of our long weekend looked a whole lot like that. There was pool, grilling and time spent outside. That got me thinking that I needed to share some of my favorite summer recipes for grilling – and for hot weather. I’m going to start with a lunch item that’s been on repeat in my house lately: my matcha smoothie.
Matcha Smoothie
You’ll need a tablespoon of organic matcha, a teaspoon of hemp seeds, a cup and a half of your favorite dairy or non-dairy beverage and 1 frozen banana. You can also add cinnamon or dates if you want to sweeten it up, but the banana adds the perfect amount of sweetness in my opinion. Stick it all in a blender:
And you have yourself a nice refreshing smoothie. I’ve been drinking one of these for lunch, along with a wrap or salad.
Watermelon Smoothie
And while I’m on the topic of smoothies, why not try my favorite watermelon smoothie? It’s got some of my favorite summer ingredients: watermelon, lime, mint and coconut water. It’s so refreshing and is the perfect way to beat the heat this time of year.
Homemade Guacamole
Not to pat myself on the back or anything, but my friends say I make some of the best guacamole. And around here, it’s a staple during the summer. If we are having people over, I’ll whip up a quick batch up guac. I put all kind of delicious ingredients in there: purple onions, tomatoes, seasoning – and my special ingredient: lime juice. You can find my recipe here (add jalapeños if you are feeling spicy).
Squash Casserole
Now, my squash casserole is great for fall, but it’s also great as a side for burgers and hotdogs. Summer squash is one of my favorite veggies to eat during this season. This is a fun take on a veggie version of potatoes au gratin, and it’s equally as delicious. Give it a try.
Veggie Wraps
And last, but not least, my veggie wraps are a great dinner (or lunch) option during the summer months. They are healthy, they are filling and they are delicious. You can serve it with a side of that squash casserole!
I hope you enjoy making some of these recipes over the next couple of months. I’ll have all of these on repeat, and I’m experimenting with some new ones. I tried one tonight – a twist on my enchilada recipe, and it was so so good! I’ll be back on Friday with some of my favorite things from this very short week.
