Last night I came to the decision that it is time I expand my horizons.  My food horizons that is.  I have been making the same recipes way to often lately and I am afraid that I have fallen into the habit of simply making what I know and not bothering to see what else is out there.  If you have ever found yourself making the same meal multiple times a week then you understand where I am coming from.  It is far too easy to just repeat the same recipes over and over again, which is exactly what I am guilty of doing.  But no more!  Starting today I am going to branch out.  And what better place to start than with salads!

In light of this wonderful season I have found several sweet summer salads that taste great and don’t take long to make.  The first salad on my list is an amazing Orange Mint Salad.  This recipe includes freshly sliced oranges and grapefruits but you can also include watermelon if you like.  The fruit is mixed with olive oil and then topped with some fresh mint and feta cheese.  I think that this salad would make a great starter or side dish to go with BBQ chicken during a cookout.  I came across this delicious recipe while looking at a blog called Say Yes to Hoboken.

Another salad that I love is this Summer Peach and Tomato Salad.  It includes ripe peaches, heirloom cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, honey, and more delicious ingredients.  This salad sounds so tasty that it will be like having desert before dinner!  The recipe is from a blog called Mom’s Cooking Club.

I discovered a scrumptious-sounding Fava Bean and Sweet Pepper Salad on our FaveDiets website that would be the perfect summer side dish to go with a steak.  The recipe includes fresh garlic, red peppers, and some white wine.  This salad is the perfect example of a nutritional and enjoyable dish.  But fava beans are only in season until the end of the summer, so I am going to try to make it at least a few times before the season ends!  Another great salad that I stumbled upon is this Raspberry Summer Salad from Mom’s Crazy Cooking.  This salad combines two of my favorite foods, raspberries and mozzarella cheese!  It also includes Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing, spinach lettuce and fresh avocado.

But I think that I outdid myself with the sixth salad on the list.  It seems as if I really saved the best for last!  I cannot imagine a better Summer salad than this Strawberry, Mango and Avocado Salad.  I found this amazing salad on a really cute blog called Pink Parsely.  In addition to the fresh mango, avocado, and strawberries, it uses a little orange juice, honey and cilantro.  Yum!  I am super excited to make this one, but I need to stop at the grocery store first.

So which Summer salad do you think sounds best?  Have you ever made any of these ones before?

June is now among us, which means summer is just around the corner.  For those meat lovers out there that means firing up the grill and roasting hot dogs, hamburgers and  ribs.  Although summer is grilling time, it can be just as much fun for vegetarians as it is for meat enthusiasts.

It wouldn’t be summer without burgers, and even if you choose to stay away from meat, you can still enjoy the taste of a great burger when you make a Vivacious Veggie Burger.  This  recipe calls for an assortment of veggies as well as garbanzo beans,  and even a little low fat cheese to give it that cheesy burger taste.  You won’t have to sacrifice flavor with these delicious low-fat veggie burger wonders.

If burgers aren’t your thing, but you still want to make the most out of your backyard grill, try our Grilled and Great Vegetables.  All you need is an onion, four bell peppers, 12 ounces of mushrooms,  one squash and  one zucchini and you can create a tasty, healthy side dish.

If you’re more of a hot dog guy or gal, there are some mouth watering meat-free options out there that replace the hot dog but not the flavor.  Kathy of Healthy. Happy. Life. wrote in her blog about the healthier option of a hot dog, the Vegan Dog. Kathy lists three alternatives to the standard “beef” hot dog that we usually buy and they are:

• Turtle Island: Tofurky Beer brats.
• Lightlife: Smart Dogs and Jumbo Smart Dogs.
• Yves: Jumbo Hot Dogs.

Now that you know the best of the veggie dogs, you may be intrigued to make your own veggie dog bun.  Michele of Veggie Num Nums published a recipe on her blog that shows you how to make your own English muffin veggie dog bun.

Another great way to eat meat-free is by filling up on fresh fruit.  What better way than with a fruit salad recipe?  This Party Fruit Salad is the perfect recipe for background barbecues or family gatherings.  It calls for ten different types of fruits, but you can subtract and add the fruit of your choice to make the ultimate fruit salad.

After all that amazing food, you and your family or guests will be yearning for something to quench your thirst.  A quick and delicious summertime refreshment is watermelon lemonade.  I found this recipe last summer in Woman’s Day Magazine.  It’s easy to make and any watermelon lover will fall in love with its rich watermelon flavor.

To make, cut up a watermelon and fill 3/4 of a blender, then empty a can of frozen pink lemonade (thawed) with 2 to 4 cans of water.  Blend and serve.   You can also create watermelon ice cubes by cutting up pieces of watermelon and freezing them for 1 to 2 hours.  You can then add them to the lemonade for extra watermelon taste.

If  watermelon lemonade isn’t your drink of choice, you could try an Orange Creamsicle Smoothie.  The creamsicle popsicle taste that you know and love can now be made into smoothie form with this quick and easy smoothie recipe. With cantaloupe, orange juice, vanilla and honey, this smoothie is sure to refresh the creamsicle lover in you.

Hopefully these meat-free but flavor-rich recipes will help make your summer months delicious and exciting.

If you would like to know more about the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle and other recipes, check out these blogs:

Cooking with T:  A Vegetarian’s Food diary

The Post Punk Kitchen

The Girlie Girl Army

For This Month’s Healthy Bite in March, we asked, “What is Your Favorite Healthy Dessert Recipe?” Our answers ranged from cookies and ice cream to fruit salad and yogurt. Check them out:

From Katerina, Daily Unadventures in Cooking

My favorite current healthy dessert recipe, is by *far* Raw Banana Ice Cream. It is vegan and amazingly addictive, I now keep frozen bananas on hand at all times.

From Katie, Kitchen Stewardship

Although homemade ice cream with real, grassfed raw cream and low sugar or maple syrup sweetener would be my ultimate healthy dessert, I don’t have an ice cream maker and am only somewhat successful at making ice cream on my own. I developed an easy, tastefully simple healthy dessert when I decided to make a version of fruit pizza that didn’t start with sugar cookie dough. I modified a shortbread recipe to include 100% whole grains, lots of butter (saturated fats are good for you!) and low sugar, and I made a probiotic-laden frosting with yogurt cheese. Add fresh, seasonal fruit and you’re ready for any party! Find the full recipe and photos here: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/07/28/recipe-connection-a-healthy-and-tasty-version-of-fruit-pizza

From Erica, My Colombian Recipes

My favorite healthy dessert is this fruit salad. It is absolutely delicious: http://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/fruit-salad-ensalada-de-frutas

From Jessica, The Singleton in The Kitchen

Peach and Raspberry Crisp/Crumble: http://www.singletoninthekitchen.com/2010/03/peach-and-raspberry-crisp-errr-crumble.html

From Kirbie, Kirbie’s Cravings

My favorite healthy recipe is banana ice cream, using only frozen bananas: http://www.kirbiecravings.com/2009/09/one-ingredient-banana-ice-cream.html

From Sara, Sprouted Kitchen

What is my favorite dessert recipe?

I feel like there are so many circumstances that contribute to the answer to this question: how much time do I have? Is it hot or cold outside? How heavy was my meal prior? I don’t often always ‘feel’ like the same type of dessert, but know there are healthy options for whatever my taste buds.

I could be a spokesperson for organic Greek yogurt, I use it for everything from sauces, dressings, a sour cream alternative in soups and a stand in for a healthy dessert. The nonfat and low fat versions are still so thick, that it feels much more rich than the caloric content is. I like to make quick Greek yogurt sundaes, and then tailor them to my cravings. For example, if I want something lighter, I start with a base of 8 oz. low fat Greek yogurt and mix in a Tbsp. of raw agave nectar and toasted pistachios. I top that with some fresh berries and a sprinkle of my favorite granola. It is plenty sweet, has protein in it and doesn’t spike your blood sugar.

If I need something more savory, I will start with my Greek yogurt and a 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter then sprinkle on carob/dark chocolate chips and either some granola or a crumbled up oatmeal cookie. It does the trick, I promise.

I always have Oat’Nana Pucks in the freezer for an emergency…. you can find the recipe at http://www.sproutedkitchen.com . They are light and healthy enough to eat for breakfast.

From Katie, Making Food and Other Stuff

My favorite healthy dessert recipe is one that I made up for (Gluten-free) Butternut Squash Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (quite a mouthful). The recipe and photos can be found here: http://makingfoodandotherstuff.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/im-getting-better/

From Meg, Meg’s Food Reality

Two favorites I have in the freezer right now:

Pistachio Bark:

Ingredients:

1/2 package of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup of pistachio nuts(roasted)

wax paper

cookie sheet or pan for drying

Cover cookie sheet with wax paper. Melt chocolate in the microwave for about 3 minutes. Make sure to stir the chocolate after one minute and check on the chocolate every minute(watch out the dish becomes hot!). Keep cooking until the chocolate is melted entirely then add the nuts. Mix together and spread on wax paper to dry. After the bark has dried, break it into pieces.

http://megsfoodreality.blogspot.com/2010/01/our-house-guestpistachio-bark-recipe.html

Peanut butter cookies

1 cup of natural creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup of white sugar(1/2 cup of agave nectar)

1 large egg

dark chocolate chunks(for on top of each cookie)

*** Yes really this is the WHOLE recipe ***

Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the first four ingredients into a bowl and mix. Make tablespoon size balls of dough and place them onto a greased cookie sheet. Cook for 10-12 minutes until slightly brown on the bottom. Take the cookies out of the oven, and place one chocolate chunk onto each cookie. Let cool.

http://megsfoodreality.blogspot.com/2009/12/peanut-butter-cookiesgluten-free.html

From Pam, A Love of New Recipes

Easy Caramel Apple Bars: http://alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/01/easy-caramel-apple-bars.html

From Jenna, Jenna’s Journey

Strawberry Shortcake:

1 angel food cake (pre-made or box mix)

1 large container of fresh organic strawberries

4 T white sugar or substitute

Melted dark chocolate

Wash and dice the strawberries. Place them in a bowl, combine them with the sugar and let them sit in the fridge for a few hours. When ready to serve, pour strawberries over the angel food cake and top with a small amount of melted dark chocolate.

Thanks to everyone for all the fun responses!

Answer the next This Month’s Healthy Bite question: What is your favorite healthy cooking tip or trick? Email us your answer or just simply comment on this blog post, and we’ll publish your answers and link to your blog at the end of the month. Got some blogger friends who would like us to link to them too? Ask them to answer This Month’s Healthy Bite too!

I really do love pasta. I used to eat it growing up, but my now that I’m engaged to an Italian I eat pasta all the time and I can’t get enough of it. My favorite, as is his, is Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp and Broccoli. I know what you’re thinking, pasta has a lot of carbs in it, but it’s still one of that main food groups that you have to maintain. Check out my four favorite and amazing pasta dishes.

Low-Cal Asparagus Fettuccine Alfredo- Adding just the right amount of tasty Asparagus can make any pasta your favorite meal. You get your healthy amount of vegetables too.

Whole-Wheat Fettuccine with Basil-Yogurt Sauce- Basil-Yogurt Sauce is a little extra something you can add to this pasta. It’s a little healthier for you too because you’re using whole-wheat noodles.

Orzo with Roasted Garlic-Using Orzo pasta with some garlic will make your mouth water. I just love this pasta so much. Treat yourself.

Shells and Fish- This is a great pasta dish if you’re having guests over. It feeds a lot of people and will leave everyone with full tummies.

If you want a side-dish with that pasta try a fabulous Strawberry-Spinach Salad. You’ll love the taste of the fresh Strawberries!

When you think of the 4th of July, like most people, you probably think, “Barbecue!”  Well, that’s not a bad thing, but so often, the only things people are ‘cueing are the opposite of heart-healthy and good-for-you foods.  Well, I found a great recipe for Avocado Soybean Veggie Burgers that we’re going to try for my niece, who happens to be a vegetarian.  All of us are going to have them, but that 23-year-old is the inspiration for the rest of us in the family.

Another thing many of us think of at summer holiday time is dessert, which happens to be my favorite “meal!”  That’s why, in trying to keep with our healthy-eating-for-the-4th theme, we’re going to make this yummy-sounding Cinnamon Banana Walnut Cake.  It’s not a barbecue without dessert, so we figured it could at least be better for us than most.

One of the most fun parts about cooking for holidays is involving my 2 1/2-year old son.  He just loves to cook, both in his pretend kitchen and for real with Mommy and Daddy.  For a recent family gathering, we made this awesome, Easy-Peasy Fruit Salad, and it was a huge hit!  My brother-in-law, who doesn’t even like fruit salad, loved it, and we had none to take home with us!  My son and I are making it again for tonight’s festivities, and I’m betting it will be a hit once again.

Hope everyone has a safe, happy Independence Day!

Summer is my favorite time of year. It’s the time for sweet fruits, healthy salads and cool foods. I try to keep the oven turned off when we have these hot summer days. The one thing I love are fruit salads. I’m getting married next summer so I’m starting to look at what salads I want to have for the wedding. One of the choices is a sweet strawberry spinach salad. I love strawberries and I love salad, but spinach is not high up on my list. However, I have tried this kind of salad before and I really enjoyed it.

To me, when I think of strawberries, I think of summer and it makes me happy, so I might have to try this recipe out before I say yes to having it at my wedding. If I choose it though, I think I will be fairly pleased. Strawberries just make my mouth water and seeing it’s brightly red colored deliciousness just makes me want to get some right now! Go ahead, have a sweet summer salad, it’ll refresh your taste buds!

I love fruit. I definitely do not eat enough of it, but when I do eat it, it’s amazing. I’d have to say my favorite fruit is watermelon, especially during the summer because when I’m hot and sweaty my mouth is nice and watery from all the fruit juice. I’ve recently made a fruit salad. We had a lot of fruit in the fridge so I decided to cut it all up and combine it for a nice fruit salad.

There are more fruit salads than I thought. I imagined there was just one type, but I guess there are numerous recipes for healthy fruit salads. Here are the top five:

Mixed Fruit Salad- The combination of fruits adds for a variety of flavor

Fruit and Nut Salad- This makes for a nice textured salad

Hungarian Fruit Salad- Add some French dressing and some lettuce

Russian Fruit Salad- Add some liquor to this tasty salad

Summer Mix Fruit Salad- Make your mouth water

Learn how to make these tasty fruit salads. Make your mouth water this summer. Which salad do you like best?