Its almost time for SUMMER! YAY!!! And for the first time in what feels like FOREVER (or just two years), I think its going to really feel like summer!! Oh how I have missed the pool and cookouts and just being with friends when its hot and sunny! I know last year was a stretch for all of us, but I hope things are looking brighter for each of you in the months ahead.
To officially kick off summer we have MEMORIAL DAY!! This holiday always reminds me of being out of school, the lake, friends, and cookouts. Unlike years in the past, we don’t have a lot of plans this weekend. My husband will actually be working the whole weekend so things will look a little different. But our pool is opening and I’m sure we will make a few tasty dishes throughout the weekend. (Below are a couple old school throwback photos from the lake during college).
With Memorial Day just around the corner, I wanted to share a few nutrition tips for the holiday weekend!
- I try my best to start the day with a great breakfast. Something with a good amount of PROTEIN which will help me to feel full longer.
- If you are going to a cookout, take at least one healthy option! Then you know you have something there you like and will be healthy! This doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself there but FIRST eat when you brought so you have something nutritious in your tummy.
- Try your best NOT to go back for SECONDS!
- Portion control on the snacks!! It’s super easy for us to keep grabbing handfuls of delicious snacks and the next thing you know you are full on empty calories. Put a certain amount on a plate or in a bowl and then walk away from the snacks. Enjoy the treats you have, but don’t keep grabbing more.
- Don’t drink all your calories! Its easy to get carried away with those fun drinks, and they aren’t bad! Give yourself a 1-2 drink limit for the day and plan accordingly. Do your best for those 1-2 drinks to be low calories (there are some good adult beverages out there with less calories).
Here are some HEALTHY HOLIDAY RECIPES for the upcoming weekend! Let me know which one you are going to try.
GRILLED SHRIMP SKEWERS
INGREDIENTS:
-1 pound of shrimp
– 1/4 cup olive oil
-1/4 cup of fresh cilantro &1/4 cup fresh parsley
– 3 to 4 minced garlic cloves
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
-1/4 teaspoon of pepper & 1/4 teaspoon salt
– Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix oil all ingredients but shrimp together in a bowl. Add shrimp/ cover/ and let sit 30 minutes. Heat grill, skewer shrimp. Cook 2-3 minutes each side.
GRILLED PESTO CHICKEN & TOMATO SKEWERS
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken (cut into 1 inch cubes)
– 1 pint cherry tomatoes
– Pesto
INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine chicken pesto and marinade for about an hour. Skewer Chicken and tomatoes- alternating. Heat grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side (make sure chicken is cooked all the way through).
GRILLED PINEAPPLE
INGREDIENTS;
– Pineapple
– 2 tablespoons honey
-1 teaspoon olive oil
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine all ingredients (but pineapple in a bowl). Cut pineapple. Heat grill. Brush marinade on pineapple (both sides). Cook 3-4 minutes on each side.
POTATO SALAD (no mayo)
INGREDIENTS:
-2lb red potatoes (boiled & cut into 1 in. cubes)
– 1/2 cup diced celery
– 1/2 cup diced onion
– 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
-1 teaspoon lemon juice
– 1/8 fresh BASIL & DILL
– 2 tablespoons oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: chopped cooked bacon, hard boiled eggs (cut into 1in. cubes)
INSTRUCTIONS:
In large bowl, combine potatoes, celery, onions (eggs and bacon). In small bowl combine Greek yogurt, mustard, juice, herbs & spices. Mix everything together in large bowl & refrigerate 1 hour.
RED WHITE & BLUE FRUIT SKEWERS
INGREDIENTS:
– Strawberries or raspberries
– Blue berries
– Bananas or angel food cake (cut into 1 in. cubes)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add fruit to skewers in fun pattern 🙂
I hope you enjoy some of these recipes and the throw back photos from my “glory days”! Please leave a comment on what you missed most about summer last year and what recipe you are going to try!