Some healthy eats for those summer parties

While I often find it easier to eat healthy in the summer months with the availability of fresh fruits and veggies, there's also so many more parties and food-centered events to tempt even the most committed healthy eater. 

How then do I handle all of these food temptations without completely abandoning my commitment to healthy eating? I've learned with practice to adjust my cooking to support my goals. If I'm going to a party, I always offer to bring a healthy side dish or dessert. If I'm hosting, I make sure there are plenty of delicious AND healthy meal options for everyone. Try one of these for your next BBQ or even weeknight meals:

Appetizers & Side dishes:
Healthy 7 Layer Dip
Avocado Deviled Eggs
Grilled Rainbow Peppers with Herb Cream Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Pan Seared Brussels with Cranberries & Pecans
Eggplant Tomato Stackers
27 veggie ideas courtesy of Buzzfeed
Peach Mango Salsa
Black Bean & Corn Salsa



Salads:
Orzo Salad with Zucchini & Feta
Chickpea & Tomato Basil Salad
Panzanella Salad 
Cucumber-tomato salad
Healthy salad dressings
Ultimate Reset Quinoa Salad
SW Quinoa Salad
Creamy Garlic Dressing
Southwest Black Bean & Quinoa Mango Medley
Cucumber Dill Salad
Tricolor corn salad
Arugula Goat Cheese Salad
Mega Berry Antioxidant Spinach Salad


Main course:
Turkey-zucchini burgers
Balsamic grilled chicken
Teriyaki grilled salmon or chicken
Crockpot Black Bean & Corn Salsa Chicken
Spicy Black Bean Burgers
Fish & Shrimp Tacos
Honey balsamic grilled chicken & veggies
Beer can chicken
Chicken Avocado Burgers
Crockpot beer pulled BBQ chicken
Let's give Trader Joe's some love for their healthy frozen options --->



Desserts:
Strawberry rhubarb bars
Gluten free Strawberry Nectarine Crisp
Cranberry-Apple Oatmeal Crisp
Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Red, White & Blueberry Trifle
Frozen chocolate covered peanut butter banana bites
Sweet Potato Brownies
Totally NOT healthy but so good and easy S'mores dip


Drinks:
Skinny Margarita
Skinny Mojito
Basil Cucumber Gin Cooler

Yes, the summer months can make it challenging to stay on track but it's all about learning how to make healthy living a lifestyle not a diet. Summer should be fun. You should be able to enjoy yourself at parties, with your family and kids but the goal is for those things to not happen at the expense of your health.

We're always busy and facing temptations, whatever they may be. It's more important that we learn to deal with them, and to prioritize what we want in the here and now vs. the future. If you'd like some help holding yourself accountable and/or learning how to cook/eat/live healthier, fill out the application below to join my next online health & fitness accountability group. Get 1:1 coaching, group support, tips & motivation, accountability, and access to healthy recipes and meal planning tips to help you stay accountable to your goals this summer. 

Remember, your health and fitness success is 80% nutrition. You CAN get the results and you want right in your own home and I'd love to be there to support you if you'll let me. Drop me your info below for more info!

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