Healthy Summertime Eats and Treats

Here's a quick rundown of some yummy food that we've been enjoying this summer! CP and I got into a bad habit of reaching into the freezer for Trader Joe's meals too often, so I've been putting forth much more effort to cook at home as much as possible these days.

Elena's Pantry Paleo Banana Bread (except I use Crisco instead of palm shortening, which probably makes it non-paleo?). Nonetheless, it's somehow dense yet light on the tummy...and doesn't last long in the Pike household.

Beet Salads. This particular one is from Food and Wine and appears more complicated and intricate than it actually is. Really, if you just combine roasted beets, pistachios, goat cheese and a drizzle of oil, you're well on your way to a divine salad.

Caprese Pasta Salad. So, so easy and yet easily overlooked! I also love adding some kalamata olives into the mix. Note that the olives that are pitted and soaked in brine will be overly salty and take away from the rest of the wonderfully fresh flavors in the dish, so although it's another step in the prepping process, opt for the non-pitted olives.

Still loving these no-bake Almond Joy cookies from Carrots 'N' Cake. I've also been noshing on Detoxinista's Raw Brownie Bites. On those, if you're not a huge walnut fan, I would definitely recommend swapping them out for almonds or pecans. The walnut flavor is pretty intense.

I've also been using the Blendtec on a daily basis between making smoothies, milkshakes, and juices. Here are some winning combinations in there (you can also use a normal blender for most of these!).

-Greek yogurt (the coconut Chobani is amaaazing if you can get your hands on it), frozen/fresh mango, blueberries, ice.

-One banana, spoonful or two or three of almond butter, splash of milk, ice.

-Handful of spinach, a cup of pineapple chunks, a knob of peeled ginger, 1 cup water, a few cubes of ice

I hope that you're having a fantastic summer and are eating well!!