Summer at the Farmer’s Market is always a treat. Tomatoes, fresh lettuce and berries galore! It’s the perfect season to experiment and indulge in produce that is local, healthy and ultra fresh.
When creating a meal plan I like to start with produce and build from there. I find that once you have a healthy base of delicious fruits and veggies it’s easy to dress things up with your favorite type of grilled meat, fish or cheese. Go low on the salt, avoid heavy sauces and toss in extra herbs, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh cracked pepper for flavor that allows the natural taste and texture of the food to shine through. Below are a few delicious examples from my latest farmer’s market trip. What are your favorite farmer’s market finds?
Mozzarella, Tomato & Fresh Cucumber Salad
The tomatoes at today’s market were some of the prettiest and most colorful that I have ever seen! Choose a variety that works best for you, wash, slice and serve with fresh mozzarella, summer cucumbers and a healthy dose of extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste! Prep time: 8 min.
Organic Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad
Entree salads are a summer favorite! Today I started out with fresh organic baby red and green lettuce and added in chopped cucumbers (these were local and super spicy!), heirloom tomatoes, avocado and grilled chicken breast that I grabbed pre cooked from Whole Foods. Prep time: 10 min.
Local Strawberries & Blueberries
Snacks don’t get much healthier than this! I love munching on fresh berries pre or post workout. Add a few squares of dark chocolate to make it an antioxidant filled and deeply satisfying desert! Prep time: 2 min.
Tea with Mixed Berry Whole Grain Muffins
Tea time doesn’t have to involve heavy sweets and loads of cream. Try a cup of loose brewed black tea (today’s choice was an aromatic rose scented blend) with lemon or a splash of milk and a heart healthy whole grain muffin made with fresh fruit and minimal sugar (another of today’s farmer’s market finds!). Prep time: 5 min.
Wishing you happy, healthy eating!
xoxoBB
