Don’t feel like cooking? You don’t have to.

Are you caught in this Summer Conundrum: “I don’t feel like cooking as much but I want to take care of myself.” Over the past month this has consistently come up with clients. I totally get it. Around this time of year, I’m drawn to quick and easy meals so I can spend more time outdoors or take advantage of summer’s energy diving into creative endeavors in my work. Rather than falling victim to what may feel like your new food apathy, know you CAN meet yourself where you are and still feel empowered. Don’t fret… Here are a few simple meal ideas to minimize your time in the kitchen, nourish your body, and maximize your time outdoors… 1.) Make a berry smoothie blending berries, avocado, coconut milk, cinnamon, and ice 2.) Cook 1 cup quinoa and save in refrigerator. Add desired amount to bowl with apples, berries, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, and a dash of maple syrup. Use again as a breakfast grain or add fresh chopped produce and balsamic vinegar and olive oil for a tasty quinoa salad to have on hand. 3.) Boil several eggs to keep on hand and bake a large batch of asparagus to enjoy throughout the week with sprouted grain toast and avocado. Do you see the theme? Prep once, eat several times. 4.) Mix one can organic chickpeas with parsley, chopped spinach, olives, olive oil, lemon and salt and pepper. Make large serving to enjoy throughout the week. 5.) Make quick avocado soup blending 1 avocado, ¼ cup water, 1 Tbs lemon juice, 1 small clove garlic, sea salt, and any other seasoning you enjoy. 6.) Prepare a large green salad that you can toss into sandwiches, eat on its own, or add leftovers to for a fresh new meal. 7.) Be okay with a sampler platter. You may enjoy fresh veggies and hummus with olives and a hard-boiled egg on the side with seed crackers or grapes. Sometimes simple finger food can make a meal. 8.) Freeze bananas (unpeeled) and blend into “ice cream” with any fixins’ you enjoy Yes, some things will require 15-20 minutes of prep work ahead of time. (That’s really not that long when you think about it). Just do it. Plan it in. You’ll be so glad when you open your refrigerator and have a couple prepared options for you. It is certainly better than that oh-so-familiar feeling of being hungry with nothing to eat! BONUS Get overheated, irritable, or crabby in the heat? Your body may a tendency to carry more heat (or ‘pitta’ in Ayurveda) and this can be amplified during our hottest months. Remember that Mother Nature always provides the antidote to the season. She brings us an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer and makes sure it’s quick, easy, and incredibly balancing for hot summer months. Here’s why: 1.) Seasonal fresh produce can be eaten raw. Raw foods keep the body cooler. 2.) Fruits and vegetables are carbohydrate-rich giving us lasting energy for the longer, more active summer months. 3.) Fruits and vegetables are naturally low-calorie foods. This builds up less heat in the body helping regulate body temperature. Stock up on raw fruits and veggies, stay cool, and keep it easy. Do you have any tricks of the trade to stay cool or keep meals light and easy? Please share below! Warmly, Laura