Whether you are entertaining for a crowd or your immediate crew, quick and easy grain salads should definitely be on the menu. They are great to have in the fridge for easy lunches, picnics, or pool side bites. The crunchy and salty flavor profile of a Greek salad is typically a crowd pleaser. To add some nutritional milage to this crunch fest, incorporate protein from fiber-filled chickpeas, and hearty whole grain farro. If you opt to make this in advance and enjoy at a later point in time, combine all the ingredients except the romaine. When you are ready to eat, top your grain mixture with chopped romaine and toss with your dressing. For those of you who are gluten-free, whole grain sorghum is a good alternative to farro.
Read morecold sesame tofu with rice noodles
There is a Cold Sesame Chicken recipe from the New York Times that I have gone back to quite a few times. It is delicious, super simple, and perfect for make ahead meals. To adapt the recipe for a plant-forward crowd, I decided to swap in tofu for the main and serve it over brown rice noodles with crunchy marinated cucumbers, peanuts, and cilantro, resulting in a refreshing and easy summer meal.
Read more10 things to make this labor day weekend
The weekend that marks the last hurrah of summer is unfortunately here. Make the most of the three day weekend with these scrumptious crowd pleasing eats!
Read morecold cucumber and yogurt soup
It’s the peak of August, which means that summer produce is at an all time high - as is the temperature. To optimize outdoor time and minimize oven usage time, I have been leaning heavily on my blender to whip up chilled soups. I am partial to a cold soup that can be easily sipped from a chilled glass, no spoon required. If you are a bowl and spoon type, this works just as well in that format. This soup is the perfect antidote to a hot day when all you need is cold, veggies, and lunch simultaneously.
Read moregreen on green gazpacho
In the depths of summer, the last thing that you want to do is crank up your oven. Keep cool and calm with this raw and refreshing green gazpacho that can be whipped up in 5-minutes flat.
Gazpacho is traditionally a cold red soup made from summer tomatoes, cucumbers, and day old bread. This spin uses tons of green on green goodness, ensuring that you get your veggie fix. Green vegetables are loaded with Vitamins C and E, which are great for your skin and immune function, and contain high levels of antioxidants.
Read morebeet yogurt hummus
If you are entertaining this summer and are looking for an eye-catching app to impress a crowd, consider this vibrant and flavorful beet and yogurt hummus. Beets are often a staple at the greenmarket this time of year and, if you are searching for a new way to use this root veg, try out this dip! Roasted beets are simply blended with chickpeas, Greek yogurt, and lots of spices, creating a delicious and colorful alternative to traditional hummus. Serve with plenty of veggies and your favorite whole grain crackers, and you have a balanced and nourishing snack. If you have leftovers, the beet yogurt hummus makes a great spread on a veggie sandwich or a wrap or add it as an accompaniment to your next grain bowl.
Read morecold brewed hibiscus cinnamon ginger tea
I am currently in countdown mode to #babyradish with 10 weeks to go. In the midst of attempting a minimalist approach to the baby purchases and trying to savor the final few weeks solo with my husband and Henry, I've been craving a refreshing and invigorating mid-day beverage. Since toning down my coffee drinking to one cup a day, a refreshing cold brew infused tea was just what this dietitian ordered.
Read moresummer salad series: arugula, farro, and dark cherry salad
It's the peak of summer, and produce is at an all time high - along with the temperature. Summer salads are the perfect way to maximize your nutritional intake with fresh and crunchy foods and minimize your oven usage. When making salads as mains, I always try to ensure that protein, fat, and fiber are utilized to provide satiation, optimal nutrition, and a range of textures and flavors. For this summertime salad, toasted pecans, feta, and farro are the sources of protein. Farro, along with all the vegetables and cherries, contain fiber, and the nuts, cheese, and olive oil provide fat to keep you full and to assist in the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins. Keep cool and calm with this peppery arugula, farro, and dark cherry summertime salad.
Read moresummer reset - ginger turmeric pineapple smoothie time
The official start of summer is almost here, yet it already feels like the season is in full swing. Cool off, refresh, and get your day started off right with a cleansing and delicious ginger turmeric and pineapple smoothie.
Read morea diy detoxing skin mask from joanna vargas
Most people long for a bronzed summer glow and want to avoid clogged pores and a sweat stash. Not only can layers of sunscreen result in break outs, but jet setting, rosé, and perspiration may cause unwanted inflammation. Joanna Vargas, facialist to the stars, shares her DIY remedy to get your skin back to a glow worthy end-of-summer state.
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