Cherry Wheat Berry Super Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

(Updated 7/15/2020) Over this busy summer weekend, everyone was delighted to have a big batch of my Cherry Wheat Berry Super Salad on hand for a picnic lunch down at the lake and leftovers to pair next day with our grilled steaks. Cherry season makes me want to do a happy dance and this year was no exception, especially because I scored both Bing and Rainer cherries on sale for a pittance! Cherry Wheat Berry Salad

In addition to sweet cherries, this satisfying, savory-sweet salad features iron-rich spinach, satiating nuts and seeds, and whole-grain wheat berries.  Not to mention feta and balsamic vinaigrette for even more flavor. The ingredients all marry beautifully together – you won’t be cherry-picking the fruit out, you’ll be licking the bowl clean! Continue reading

This Niçoise Tortellini Salad Says Summer!

Pack some pasta salad, it’s the perfect picnic food! Whether you are hanging lakeside with the kids all day or heading to a summer concert in the park with your sweetie, prepping a pasta salad for the cooler makes for a fresh, flavorful and fit meal later.Niçoise Tortellini Salad

Plus, picnic recipes like my popular Niçoise Tortellini Salad are super simple and speedy to assemble – you know I’m spending the time savings outdoors and out of the kitchen! Continue reading

Smoky Peach Chipolte Vinaigrette, Dressing & Marinade

The back roads of Central Texas have been alive with the sights and smells of local farm stands selling their most anticipated summer-season specialty – Hill Country Peaches. They are so sweet and delicious straight from the bushel, sometimes it’s hard not to greedily gobble them all up before arriving home.  Grilled Peach Chipolte Vinaigrette Dressing & Marinade

This year I used restraint (by putting them in the car trunk), and we arrived home from Stonewall, Texas with plenty of this popular stone fruit to make peach cobbler, slow-cooker peach sauce, and ice cream – the July rite of passage. I even had a few extra to make an awesome salad featuring this grill fruit and the recipe I’m sharing today – Smoky Peach Chipolte Vinaigrette & Marinade. Read on the get more juicy details and the instructions. Continue reading

Grilled Salmon Zucchini Quinoa Burgers

I’m all for adding a little veggie into my salmon burgers. Not only does it round out the nutrients, but also keeps patties moist, succulent and just so dang good straight off the grill.  Gluten Free Salmon Zucchini Quinoa Burgers

My Grilled Salmon Zucchini Quinoa Burgers are totally off the hook with fresh flavor and will make a splash at your next backyard cookout, pool party or seaside soiree. Read on to get this surprisingly simple recipe and that has just 225 calories, 18 grams of protein and a good-for-you amount of heart-healthy fats. Continue reading

A Dozen Zero-ABV Drinks & Sippers for Summer

When the thermometer breaks 90, it’s official – a round or two of refreshing, chilled beverages are in order.  Not only will an icy-cold concoction help lower your core temperature and replace essential fluids and nutrients lost through sweat, it can be as flavorful and festive as the occasion calls for. 12 Virgin Zero-ABV Drinks for Summer - these mocktails and alcohol-free alternatives rock warm weather pool parties picnics and entertaining!

Except for a birthday margarita or New Year’s toast, I prefer to pass over alcoholic beverages – they just don’t make me feel my best! Food & Wine reports that Zero-ABV (zero alcohol by volume) drinks are rising in popularity 2017 and that’s a trend I can toast to!  I’ve rounded up 12 of my favorite “virgin” drinks to share . . . along with another one of my favorite treats (POPSUGAR Must Have Box). Read on to find more! Continue reading