Summer is right around the corner and that means firing up the grill. Imagine the vegetables and meat sizzling on the grill while you’re outside in the warm weather conversing with friends. Just the thought of warm breezes and the delicious smells inspire us to create a meal that is both healthy and delicious. In the summertime, we are able to buy more fruits and vegetables that are in season and will go perfectly with something fresh off the grill. Now is the time to start thinking about ways to incorporate some fresh fruit and vegetables into summer lunches and dinners.
Apples are the ideal afternoon snack and avocados will go perfectly with a salad that you can make for either lunch or dinner. There are also a variety of spices that can give your food a powerful punch of extra flavor. Basil paired with tomatoes provide a slightly minty and peppery taste to your meals. To keep your snacking on the healthier side, buy some red cherries that can be found in the produce aisle, usually near the other seasonal fruits. There are many different types of cherries to choose from. Cherries start arriving in grocery stores around May, so keep a look out the next time you are at the store!
An easy and delicious treat to make with a grilled steak is fresh sliced tomatoes and cucumbers tossed in olive oil, vinegar, a splash of salt and a hint of pepper. Some people like to add an onion for more crunch and flavor. As a child, I would not eat tomatoes or cucumbers, but when my mom made this delicious salad I couldn’t help going back for seconds! It is important for your whole family to make meals containing vegetables that will promote better health for them as they get older. Make sure that this summer is a healthy one!
Once the kids are out of school, they might start bothering you for food if they get bored. Provide for them a healthy snack instead of something like ice cream. Apples and peanut butter are a perfect combination that will make your kids full and satisfied. Grapes will also be in season this time of year. An easy way to make grapes a “cool” snack is stick them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. It feels like you are eating ice cream because the grapes are cold and sweet. Like cherries, there are many types of grapes. Involve your kids in an experiment to see which grapes taste better frozen and which taste better left in the refrigerator.
Now what about that grill that is sitting outside in your backyard just begging to be used after being cooped up all winter? Not only can your grill be used for meats, but it can also be used for vegetables! Making a kabab of vegetables is an easy way to give your meals some color and a wide variety of nutrients. Think of vegetables based on their colors and which colors work well together when you think about your kabab. Greens, reds, and yellows are a good match and they taste even better together, and zucchini and onions can also add variety. Zucchini and squash taste amazing coming right off the grill paired with fish, chicken, or steak. Just thinking about it is making me hungry!
There are many fruits and vegetables that will be easily available to you because of the changing of the season. If you are just starting to buy more fruits and vegetables again, don’t be afraid to experiment. Not everyone is going to like the same things, but use the things they do like to make sure everyone is eating healthy this summer. Find what you and your family like and add those foods to your meals. To learn more about what a summer meal plan could look like for you, contact Tracy Granberry at ext. 297. Your summer body will thank you.
By Saige Huene, Nursing Student, Azusa Pacific University
The Claremont Club 