POST-FOURTH DETOX 🥗
After an overindulgent holiday, get back on track with these healthy recipes! 🇺🇸
Let’s just say we didn't hold back on the sweets and snacks during our 4th of July holiday at the cottage. While it’s technically been a week since Independence Day, we’ve been pretty slow going at getting back into the groove of eating clean, filling meals that leave us energized and guilt-free.
So, for those of you in the same boat, we went through our recipe library to find a few of our favorite healthy meals that both hit the spot and make us feel good after a week of eating every dessert under the sun. And don’t worry, we didn’t just pick salads….after all, we don’t want you to be bored when trying to clean up your post-holiday eating habits.
To continue the holiday vibes of grilling and summer cookouts, our first feature this week is our Italian Herb Chicken Kebabs with Watermelon, Feta, and Hot Honey Salad. In fact, it checks all the boxes of a cookout meal - it’s grilled, easy to eat outside, fresh, and includes watermelon (our favorite!) But it’s also pretty dang healthy. You got your grilled lean protein, a simple, delicious salad with fibery watermelon, tangy feta, and honey. It’s fresh, it’s filling, and trust us, you won’t be undoing any buttons in your pants after having this dinner.
When we make this, we usually put together a simple Italian marinade for the chicken. But, if you have Italian dressing in the fridge, you can use that instead (dressing as a marinade is always 10/10). And don’t forget to soak your skewers so they don’t catch fire when on the grill! 🔥
Don’t put that grill away just yet, because you’ll be using it again with our Cedar Plank Salmon with Peach and Avocado Salsa. Not only do we love grilling because it’s easy and evokes long summer nights spent eating outside with family and friends, but grilling can result in some pretty healthy meals depending on what you cook on it (like lean meats and veggies). There’s minimal oil and butter involved in the cooking process, the char and smoky flavor from grilling adds natural flavor (so you might use less sauces), and the fat from meat drips off through the grates (unlike frying, where the food sits in it).
We chose this salmon recipe particularly for the seasonal fresh peach and avocado salsa it’s served with. Since it’s peach season, this salsa is a great way to incorporate peaches into your dinner menu. We prefer semi-soft peaches (not fully ripe) because they are still sweet but hold up better when diced. You can also add some jalapeño if you like it spicy!
Sometimes we forget we can use lettuce wraps in meals other than Chicken Lettuce Wraps à la PF Chang’s (a childhood favorite, you can make our version here). For our Cilantro Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, we used romaine lettuce leaves like tortillas and created a quick, refreshing, and light dinner. It’s also a great option for lunch, because we can’t forget about lunch when eating healthy! The cilantro lime crema (made with Greek yogurt, which is high in protein) and avocado balance the slightly spicy shrimp. Everything in this recipe is whole and fresh (shrimp, herbs, citrus, veggies), and there’s no gluten, processed grains, or added sugars! Plus, shrimp is low in fat and packed with protein! If you want a side to add a little more fiber and sustenance, we recommend black beans or rice.
Our final recipe is kinda like one of those “choose your own adventure” books, except it’s a summer vegetable bowl lol. Since there are tons of veggies in season right now, instead of telling you which to use, this recipe serves as a guide to build your own summer vegetable bowl focusing on whole, fresh ingredients, balanced nutrition, and versatility. You get to pick your favorite seasonal veggies, protein, sauces, and spices to customize your meal just as you want it. It’s flexible enough to match your tastes, what’s in season and available near you, and any dietary needs you may have (like GF, vegetarian), making it a great recipe for a household of picky eaters, or those with multiple different food restrictions or preferences. The mix of veggies, grains/legumes, healthy fats, and protein means you're getting balance, vitamins and minerals, fullness, and energy without heaviness. No need to reach for those TUMS after dinner 😏.
THANKS FOR READING!
Cheers 🥂
Hil & Nat
Don’t forget you can access the entire recipe library with all your favs here.