As a family we’re trying to eat tons healthier this summer. Summer is a great time to start eating more fruits and veggies because so many yummy ones are in season. I’m admittedly a bit lazy in the cooking department, especially in the summer when I don’t want to heat up our place with the oven. So here are a few of my favorite healthy snacks that keep my kids happy and my home cool.
Cucumber sushi rolls: Slice cucumber tall-ways into thin strips. Top each slice with a bit of hummus and place one-two pieces of turkey (or your favorite lunch meat) on top of that. Add some shredded carrots and roll up. Presto, cute, yummy and healthy veggie rolls.
Fruit/Veggies Skewers: Use a melon baller to scoop out watermelon and cantaloupe. Alternate watermelon and cantaloupe balls with blueberries and grapes on a wooden skewers for an easy to eat fruit dish. You can also use veggies (slicked carrots, squash, zucchini or eggplant), baked in the oven or over the grill for a few minutes.
Banana popsicles: Roll a banana in chocolate sauce (or melted chocolate chips), roll chocolate coated banana in nuts, lay on wax paper and freeze for about 30 minutes to an hour. Healthy, quick and so yummy. Bananas get a bit sweeter after they are frozen which makes this treat even tastier.
Frozen grapes: Rinse grapes and then toss in the freezer. Let them freeze overnight. Easiest guilt-free sweet treat ever.
Graham Cracker Sandwiches: Top your favorite graham cracker (chocolate work really well) with a few slicked bananas or strawberries. Add a thick layer of whipped cream and put another graham cracker on top. Wrap the entire thing is plastic wrap and freeze for at least an hour.
Veggie tray: A simple trick we’ve started to use to get all of us to eat more fruits and veggies is a simple veggies tray. We bought a reusable, sectioned, bowl at the store. We fill each section with our favorite fruits/veggies (tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, peas, peppers, berries) and keep in the fridge. When we are feeling munchie, we just pull the whole thing out. The center is filled with low-fat ranch or vanilla yogurt for dipping.
Summer salad: Combine a can of (rinsed) black beans, a can (of cup and half of frozen) of (drained) corn, a half cup of chopped green onion, garlic and salt to taste into a bowl. Mix lightly and serve.
Ham rolls: (These are my Kryptonite. Truly). In a bowl combine one 16 oz. container of sour cream and one 8oz package of softened cream cheese. Set aside. Slice up about three cups of ham. Dice up a bundle of green onions. Layer the sour cream/cream cheese mixture on a regular tortilla (choose whole wheat for a healthier nosh) with enough ham and green onion to cover. Roll up and slick across to create rolls. Serve cold.
Summer is a great time for healthy eating, simple meals and more time basking in the warm sun and cool pools. Enjoy a cooler summer with these quick and easy healthy summer recipes.
Photo Credit: Thinkstock
