Easy & Healthy Summer Cooking Guide.
Hello!
It’s hot, and some days are downright unbearable. On those hot and sticky days, motivation usually slips to an all-time low, and cooking can feel daunting. Standing over a hot stove or firing up the oven might seem as appealing as walking barefoot on scorching hot rocks. But don't worry—there are ways to beat the heat, enjoy easy, nutritious, and delicious meals, and avoid making ice cream, cold beer, and the McDonald’s drive-through your nutritional default until September.
Here are some cool strategies:
Take Advantage of Seasonal Produce
An abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables is available this time of year. Buy locally and focus on farm-to-table produce from local farmers by visiting their farms or farmers’ markets.
Get Organized
Prep Food
Before storing newly purchased produce in your fridge, wash, dry, chop, and store it. That way, it will be easy to use when it’s time to eat.
Batch Cook on Cooler Day
Prepare meals and proteins that require cooking in advance when the weather is milder. Store them in the fridge or freezer for easy access on hot days.
Grow your own herbs.
Herbs are easy to grow, even if you don’t have garden space. You can grow them on a balcony or near a sunny window. Adding fresh basil, chives, thyme, oregano, mint, and parsley to your dishes enhances flavour and adds a touch of freshness and nutrition.
Opt for No-Cook Meals or Grill outdoors:
Think salads, sandwiches, wraps, and smoothies. Mix and match: Prep a few core components (grilled proteins, cooked grains, chopped veggies) and combine them in different ways for variety all week long.
Use Small Appliances
Use a rice cooker for grains, a slow cooker for soups and stews, or an electric grill to roast food. Use your BBQ to grill everything. The only downside of BBQing is the clean-up after.
Summer Recipes
This simple recipe is delicious on its own. You can always add more garlic, hot sauce, lemon juice, or maple syrup to sweeten it.
This dish is versatile. You can use noodles or rice instead of quinoa. I often add roasted tofu.
Here’s a routine that has worked for us:
We do all our shopping and prep on Thursdays because that’s the day our local farmer’s vegetable box is ready for pickup. If it's hot that day, we’ll delay using the oven until it’s cooler. We also keep our pantry stocked with nuts, seeds, canned beans, tomatoes, and artichokes.
When we arrive home on Thursdays, we clean and chop all the vegetables, cook rice and quinoa, roast sweet potatoes, tofu, and beets, cook a few veggie burgers and falafels, and prepare salad jars.
Hummus and salad dressing can last up to 2 weeks, so if needed, we make them.
We prepare carrots, cucumbers, celery, and hummus for snacks. With the staples all set, the meal possibilities are endless: stir-fries, grilled veggies, Buddha bowls, salads, and wraps.
This prep process takes about an hour with the two of us, but it will double if one of us does this independently. It helps to listen to music, a podcast, or even watch a show. It may seem like a lot of time, but this prep will save you time. When time is short, we purchase stir-fry packages and pre-made salads.
I like smoothies, especially this time of year. I add avocado, frozen fruit, hemp, chia, flax seeds, protein powder, cashew milk, and some ice. It's delicious, easy, and satiating.
I never feel like doing this prep work, but I know we will pay for it if we don’t. A few weeks ago, we had a busy few days and were flatlining because of the heat. We skipped this prep step because we lacked the energy, purchased lots of takeout, and much of our fresh produce went bad. Failing to plan is costly.
Summer might have its share of hot and humid days, but it's also a wonderful time to explore and enjoy the season's unique offerings.
Here's how you can make the most of it:
🌿 Embrace Nature's Bounty: Take advantage of fresh summer produce and the beauty of blooming flowers.
🏃♂️ Stay Active: Keep moving, but be smart about it. Limit strenuous activities like walking or cycling to the cooler morning and evening hours to avoid the intense midday heat.
🏊♀️ Evening Dip: Unwind by taking a refreshing dip in a pool or lake as the sun sets. It's a perfect way to relax and cool off after a long day.
🎭 Outdoor Arts and Culture: Attend local festivals, concerts, or plays performed under the stars. These events are a magical way to enjoy the arts while soaking in the warm evening air.
📚 Dive into a Thrilling Book: Find a gripping book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a delightful escape during those lazy afternoons.
Stay cool, safe and well nourished for the remaining days of summer.
Anita
DISCLAIMER; The information provided on County Yoga Loft’s website blog is for general health care informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith. However, it should not replace consultation or advice from a physician and/or other healthcare practitioners. The use or reliance of any information contained on this site is solely at your own risk.
