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Tag: summer

Vitamin D “The Sunshine Vitamin”: Are You Getting Enough of This Important Nutrient?

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Natural Living, Nutrition

I don’t need an excuse to get out and absorb the sun. I live for it. Summer is my favorite season and heat is my friend. I cherish my time outside walking my dog, going for a run, sitting outside to do work or eat lunch, or just turning my face to the sun and doing nothing at all! I’m outside as much as possible in the summer, and in the winter as much as I can stand 🙂

So, it came as a surprise to me when I had blood work done recently, that my Vitamin D levels were…

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Sea Salt & Caramel Nice Cream

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| Categories: Healthy Desserts, Recipes, Snacks

I’m a BIG fan of ice cream.

There was a time when I ate it nightly. Yes, practically every night. It was habitual. After I put the kids to bed, the ice cream would come out and I would just serve some right up, cone and all.  (Notice how I did this after the kids went to bed. I really didn’t want to share and also didn’t want them eating all that ice cream! )

That was a long time ago, and fortunately habits can change! But I still love it. And still eat it on special summer trips to our favorite…

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2-Ingredient Soft Serve Nice Cream

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| Categories: Healthy Desserts, Recipes, Snacks

Oh sweet summer 🙂  How I love me some ice cream. But since I eat pretty much dairy and gluten free, I have to improvise, because I don’t believe in deprivation!

But this is no sacrifice and honestly, it doesn’t get much easier than this to make a simple, healthy, dairy free and naturally sweet soft serve! And bonus, no ice cream maker needed! This is super easy to make with either a high-speed blender or a food processor, and obviously the ingredient list is quite manageable. Just keep storing up those frozen bananas, they’re gonna go fast!

Made from just…

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Vietnamese Zucchini Noodle Salad

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Nutrition, Recipes, Salads

How much do I love the flavors of Southeast Asia? To put it eloquently…so much. Really a lot.

❤❤❤❤❤This much❤❤❤❤❤

Vietnamese, Thai, and Cambodian are my faves and they’re all slightly different in their flavor profile, but all equally delicious. I cook recipes inspired from this part of the world a lot, because they are full of fresh veggies and it’s really easy to throw together something clean, healthy and delicious. The inspiration for this recipe came from a traditional rice noodle salad, but I wanted to try a combo green and noodle salad so I swapped out the rice noodles for…

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Easy Chili-Lime Tomato Salad

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| Categories: Recipes, Salads, Sides

Ahhhh…summer tomatoes…

After three seasons of flavorless tomatoes, it’s finally time to savor and enjoy the summer tomato bounty! Depending on where you live, they may or may not be ready yet, but if not, they’re coming!

When tomatoes are at their peak, they don’t need much except for a little dash of salt, but if you like a little variety in your life, it’s nice to have some simple recipes on hand too.

This one is very simple, and depending on what kind of chili you use, you can keep it mild, or spice up your life with a little kick….

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Summer Corn Salad with Avocado and Basil

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| Categories: Recipes, Salads, Sides

When you need a side for a friend’s cookout…

This one is always a crowd pleaser, easy to throw together and adapt to your particular tastes. It’s a good go-to recipe for a summer side. Plus…corn, basil, tomato, avocado! It’s such a delicious way to throw together summer’s bounty, especially here in Indiana, where there is rarely a shortage of corn! You really can combine any garden veggies or herbs here to use what you have and prefer. Use the corn as a base and go from there. The simple dressing will work for any combo!

Enjoy!

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5 Ultra Easy, Ultra Healthy Summer Side Recipes

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Recipes, Salads, Sides, Uncategorized

The 4th of July is next week. NEXT WEEK! We are in full on summer mode! That means cookouts and picnics and evenings in the backyard with friends and lots of food! And cookout, picnic and backyard food needs to be easy. Because no one wants to slave away all day in the kitchen in the summer. Also, no one wants to spend hours on a summer day scrolling through Pinterest looking for healthy recipes. So I’ve got something for you! I put together a few of my favorite summer side recipes that you can feel GREAT about eating at your…

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Summer Slaw with Chicken, Pineapple and Cashews

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| Categories: Recipes, Salads, Sides

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Summer Slaw with Chicken, Pineapple and Cashews

Main course: Serves 4

Side dish: Serves 8

Ingredients:

Hot Saucy Lime Dressing

¼ cup fresh lime juice

¼ cup olive oil

2-3 teaspoons hot sauce (according to your taste for spice!)

1 tablespoon honey

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

Salad

2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 small head green cabbage, finely shredded

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 cup fresh pineapple, diced

½ cup cilantro, chopped

1/2 cup raw cashew pieces

Cook chicken by bringing 4 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan and add the chicken breasts. Bring water back to a simmer and…

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Summer Green Bean and Tomato Salad

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| Categories: Recipes, Salads, Sides

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Summer Green Bean and Tomato Salad

Prep Time

15 mins

Cooking Time

5 mins

Yields

8 servings

Ingredients

2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed

2 large tomatoes, chopped

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1 large shallot, finely chopped

2 tsp grated lemon zest

juice from 3 lemons ( about 6 tablespoons )

2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add green beans and cook only…

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