Summertime is on our minds...it’s time for sunshine and happy vibes! The National Weather Service predicts that Georgia is approaching the hottest part of the summer. When the temperatures get too hot to handle, stay hydrated and cool as a cucumber with the following foods for a sun-sational sea-sun.
Bored with drinking water and wanting to make a splash? Did you know it’s pop-sicle to increase your fluid intake from foods? Sip, Sip, Hooray for the following ways to eat your water!
Avocado (72% water)
Blend with milk, dates, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vanilla for a creamy heart-healthy chocolate pudding. It's smooth...it's cool...it breaks the rules!
Use a food processor or blender to combine with cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno, garlic, and olive oil for a rich and herbaceous salad dressing.
Oranges (88% water)
Heat cream, your choice of sweetener, and freshly squeezed orange juice together to enjoy citrusy posset, a British dessert that has a custard-like consistency.
Brew black tea with fresh orange juice, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks. Sweeten the finished tea with a little honey and serve over ice for a refreshing dose of vitamin sea.
Peaches (89% water)
Did you know peaches are a bumper crop this year? This means they will be more affordable and abundant than ever before. Try one of the following peachy keen ideas:
Grill or air fry until the flesh is caramelized and top with vanilla frozen yogurt
Slice and pair with cucumber and mint to infuse sparkling water
Watermelon (92% water)
Chop into 1-inch cubes and toss with fresh feta and mint
Juice with lemon and ginger for a tantalizing beverage that will be sure to quench your thirst. No juicer? No problem! Combine the mixture with a blender and strain with a fine-mesh colander or cheesecloth.
Cabbage (92% water)
Bring Malfouf Salad (Lebanese Cabbage Salad) for your next summer cookout and impress all your grillfriends! This fresh and flavorful dish combines shredded green cabbage, tomatoes, green onions, parsley, and an aromatic dressing (olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mint, and sumac).
Lightly sauté bok choy (Chinese Cabbage) with mushrooms, ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and low-sodium soy sauce.
Broccoli (92% water)
Toss with a heart-healthy oil, grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt to taste. Roast in oven at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
Have you ever heard of broccoli rice? No, no, no... It's actually rice. Flavor your favorite grain with a simple mixture of finely minced broccoli, garlic, and chili flakes for a fragrant side dish.
Tomato (94% water)
Feeling extra boujee? Roast juicy cherry tomatoes under the broiler for 7 minutes. Combine in a blender or food processor with thyme and unsalted butter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread the cooled tomato butter on a slice of sourdough toast. Top with peppery arugula and a fried egg.
Slice plum tomatoes and combine with fresh mozzarella and basil for an Italian Caprese salad. Want an authentic experience? Top with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a balsamic reduction.
Celery (95% water)
Tired of ants on a log? Combine celery and baked tofu in this sweet, spicy, and umami Chinese-style salad that can be prepared ahead of time.
Not sure how to use leftover celery leaves? Blend with parmesan cheese, cashews, olive oil, lemon, and garlic for an earthy pesto that can be paired with your favorite whole wheat pasta.
Radish (95% water)
Fickle about Pickling? It's easy, I promise! Combine 2 cups of water, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1/4 cup of honey, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat until all contents are dissolved. Slice 1 bunch of radishes and place in a glass jar or container with 1 tablespoon of whole black peppercorns, fresh sprigs of thyme, and 3 garlic cloves. Pour heated liquid over the radishes and allow to cool to room-temperature before cooling in the refrigerator. In 1 hour, tops, you'll have briny and tender pickled radishes to add on your burger, grain bowl, taco, scrambled eggs, or salads.
Julienne radishes and stir-fry with mushrooms, broccoli, shredded carrots, bell peppers, and onions. Toss with a low-sodium teriyaki sauce and serve over black rice. Top with toasted cashews for an added crunch.
Cucumber (96% water)
Blend with fresh lime juice, honeydew melon, and honey to taste. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds or make your own with small paper cups and popsicle sticks before freezing overnight.
Nobody puts baby cucumbers in a corner! Pair them with hard boiled eggs, hummus, kalamata olives, and halloumi cheese to create your own charcuterie platter.
Cottage cheese (80% water)
Cheers to the weekend that starts with these protein-rich blueberry pancakes that includes cottage cheese and old-fashioned oats!
Not a fan of curds, and need another whey? Whip cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until smooth. Fold in 1-2 tablespoons fruit preserves and spread on a cinnamon raisin bagel.
Yogurt (88% water)
Combine with mangoes, milk, honey, and a pinch of saffron for a fresh and fruity beverage inspired by an Indian Mango Lassi.
Chocolate is always the answer! Mix Greek yogurt, maple syrup, unsweetened cocoa powder, strawberries, and dark chocolate chips to create this delectable frozen yogurt bark.
Consider adding fiery flavor as science says your body will respond by sweating to cool the body off with a quickness. Here's some of our favorites in order of increasing heat.
Ginger (more warm than hot, great for beginners)
Chili Powder (smoky mild heat, made from red chili peppers)
Black Pepper
White Pepper
Jalapeno Peppers
Horseradish (great for when you're suffering from a head cold)
Not ready to try spices with heat? Challenging us to give even more recommendations? Bring it on! Brr it's cold in here, there must be some mint in the atmosphere! Ever wonder why you feel like you're taking a deep breath standing on the peak of the Swiss Alps after eating mint? The menthol in mint activates a protein sensory receptor, transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), in our mouth which tricks our brain into feeling a cooling sensation. Pretty cool stuff huh? Here are a few more of our favorite cooling herbs.
Sweet Basil
Tarragon
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Rosemary
Cardamom
Coriander
Fennel Seeds
Want to soak up the sun this summer, and spend less time tide down by cooking in the kitchen? We got ya covered! Include the following meal options featuring cooling foods on your next Good Measure Meals order:
Szechuan Shrimp, Brown Rice, Red Quinoa, Shelled Edamame, and Asian-Style Broccoli
Spicy Thai Tuna with Pineapple Fried Rice, Pickled Red Onions, and Coconut Curry Kale
Red Peanut Coconut Chicken Curry with Brown Rice Pilaf and Mandarin Oranges
Pear Greek Yogurt Parfait with a Whole Grain Donut
Beef Bolognese over Whole Grain Rotini with Mozzarella Cheese and a side of Herbed Broccoli
Thai Lemongrass Turkey, Quinoa, Garbanzo, Kale & Edamame with Peanut Sauce, and Mandarin Oranges
Peaches and Cream Steel Cut Oatmeal with Diced Peaches, Almonds, Oats and Honey Granola Topping
Cottage Cheese, Blueberry Compote & Almonds, and Whole Wheat Mini Croissants
Seasoned Baked Chicken or Vegetarian Meatballs with Broccoli Cheddar Sauce, Whole Wheat Rotini, and Red Cabbage & Apples
Chicken Tenders with BBQ Sauce, Fire Roasted Corn and Peppers, and Cilantro Cabbage Slaw
Welcome back to the Nutrition Around the World series! We just wrapped up is Hispanic Heritage Month, but it's never too late to celebrate this rich cuisine! Today, we're exploring the cuisine of Puerto Rico-- a Caribbean island known for warm weather and even warmer people.
Interested in turning a new leaf? Founded in 1977, Vegetarian Awareness Month is celebrated all of October. The purpose of this celebration is to raise awareness of the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle, and to promote the desirability and benefits of vegetarian practices.
