Not all of us have AC's in our kitchens.  Feeding our families on those very hot day days, just thinking about turning on the stove makes you feel faint. Here are some things we have learned we thought would help.  Think differently about summer meals. Think about summer meals the same way you think about summer clothes. Plan more colorful meals with a Lighter taste that fits the season. Think of your your fridge and freezer as a "food closet." Stock it with a variety of colorful choices.

What to eat:.

• Listen to your body. Your body needs energy, not extra heat in the summer.  Juicy fruit and veggies give you the nutrition you need without the extra heat.

• Make fruit and veggie combinations the center of your plate:  Prepare satisfying, delicious, lighter meals with the nutrition you need to feel better in the heat. Add cooked meat or tuna to add more flavor.

• "Accessorize" your food with fresh mild and spicy salsas and fresh herbs.

Stock your fridge and freezer like your closet: 

• Shop local and fresh for the week. Buy veggies with a dish in mind. Shopping at local farmers markets like Harvest Home gives you the best quality of ripened on the farm and picked the day before produce.  You can use SNAP, WIC and Senior Farmers market coupons and Health Bucks to pay.

• Build your food wardrobe

  • Store your veggies properly in the fridge or on the counter

  • On cool days or early in the AM, cook meat, pasta or rice and store meal size portions in the fridge.  

• Accessorize- Make extra salsa, sofrito or pesto and freeze in ice cube trays. Now they are ready to use whenever you need them.

Think differently. With a "food closet", it's easy to be creative and prepared for any hot occasion.  Stay cool and enjoy.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups of chopped lettuce or other greens

• 1 can of beans or chickpeas ( or 1 ½ cups of leftover beans)

• 3 tomatoes

• ½ cup of corn, cooked or raw kernels

• 2 or 3 scallions or ¼ red onion

• 1 ½ cups of tortilla chips, roughly broken

• ¼ cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

For the Dressing: Add just before you serve

• ½ cup of sour cream or yogurt

• Juice of 2 limes (About 4 Tablespoons)

• Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

1. Mix all the ingredients except the dressing in a large bowl.

2. Mix sour cream or yogurt with lime juice, salt and pepper in a separate bowl and adjust to your taste.

3. Add dressing just before you serve and toss. 
    

BE CREATIVE: Use the basic recipe above and add what you like.

• Add avocado, grated carrots or sugar snap peas, slices of cucumber, seeded and chopped bell peppers.

• Go spicy with a small amount of jalapenos.

• Add more crunch with walnuts.

• Add cooked chicken or any left-over meat.

COOK AHEAD

• Use brown rice instead of white rice.  It adds a nutty flavor and is packed with manganese to help your body use up fat, stabilize blood pressure and help reduce the risk of diabetes.

• Use short curly pasta for salads. Cook and rinse in cold water and store in plastic food storage bags.

• Use meat or tuna as an "additive"  to make recipe more flavorful and robust.

STAY COOL

WANT TO STAY IN TOUCH?

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