Summer is awesome. I love being outside to soak up the sun or take a visit to dip my toes in Lake Michigan. After long, cold winters, I don’t mind the heat, I welcome it. But it sure is too hot to cook some days!
I start to crave easier, lighter meals that take less time to prepare and don’t heat up my house.
It’s perfect timing really because as soon as I started to feel that way, the summer produce starts rolling in for yummy salads and sandwiches.
It is so easy to fall into the ‘salad rut’ as I call it, but listen to me, there is no reason for it! Get creative! Change it up!
I stop by the farm stands around my area at least once a week in summer. I enjoy browsing and picking out vegetables that are not normally in our standard grocery rotation. I enjoy the challenge it brings to add them to new meals.
If you aren’t feeling brave, start out small, change up your greens. Lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, beet greens….they will all make such a difference in your salad.
Salads
- Arugula Salad from the Hollywood Homestead
- Salmon Salad from Just Take a Bite
- Paleo Spinach Salad from The Paleo Fix
- Taco Salad from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Raspberry, Tomato, Gorgonzola and Candied Walnut Salad from Hen Family
- Tuna Salad from Raising Generation Nourished
- Fresh Cucumber and Radish Salad from Reformation Acres
- Mushroom, Asparagus and Egg Salad from Happy Mothering
- Egg Free Chicken Salad from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Spicy Apple Slaw with Coconut Cashews from This is so Good
- Bacon Tomato Cucumber Salad from Simply Healthy Home
- Egg Salad Spread from Almost Bananas
- Asian Noodle Salad from Grok Grub
- Homemade Potato Salad from Recipes to Nourish
- Colorful Spring Salad from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Chicken Salad Pepper Cups from Raising Generation Nourished
- Cucumber Avocado Salad with Candied Walnuts from Hollywood Homestead
- Simple Green Salad from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Strawberry Spinach Salad from Happy Mothering
- Copper Carrot Salad from Learning and Yearning
- Balsamic Cucumber Salad from Simply Healthy Home
- Curry Chicken Salad with Apples and Pecans from This is so Good
- Italian Daikon Radish Salad from Raising Generation Nourished
- Salmon and Avocado Salad from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Bacon and Egg Salad with Probiotic Avocado Dressing from Almost Bananas
- Pesto Quinoa Salad from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie
- Curried Chicken Salad from The Provision Room
- Chicken Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing from Measuring Flower
- Sushi Salad from Recipes to Nourish
- Cooling Summer Salad from Holistic Health Herbalist
- Summer Salad with Strawberries from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Waldorf Cobb Salad from Crowther Cafe
- Creamy Herb Chicken Salad with Pomegranate from Recipes to Nourish
- Fabulous Fennel Salad from Studio Botanica
- Spring Coleslaw from Raising Generation Nourished
- Napa Cabbage and Mango Slaw with Lime Ginger Dressing from This is so Good
- Taco Salad with Cilantro Mint Guacamole from Recipes to Nourish
- Potato Salad from Raising Generation Nourished
- Swanky Sardine Salad from Au Naturale Nutrition
- Spicy Salmon and Avocado Salad from This is so Good
- Cherry Chicken Salad from Just Take a Bite
- Classic Coleslaw from Raising Generation Nourished
- Loaded Potato Salad from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Tuna and Avocado Salad from This is so Good
- “Pasta” Salad from Raising Generation Nourished
- No Mayo Chicken Salad from Au Naturale Nutrition
- Three Breakfast Salads from The Provision Room
- Asian Spring Slaw Salad from Natural Fertility and Wellness
Even just trying a new dressing on the same vegetables can breathe new life into the meal. You don’t have to go nuts, just a little change and you are set with a great new salad.
Trying different spices, oils or even different vinegar. Each new change brings such a great flavor to the mix.
Browse in the grocery store in the dressing aisle. You will find lots of different ideas. I love looking at premade dressings (I don’t buy them because of the oils and MSG) to get ideas.
Need some inspiration? Here are some awesome dressings to try.
Dressings
- Five Ingredient Salad Dressing from A Whole New Mom
- 5 Quick DIY Salad Dressings from Raising Generation Nourished
- Ranch Dressing from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Moroccan Vinaigrette from A Whole New Mom
- How to Dress a Salad in less than 20 seconds from Just Take a Bite
- Balsamic Vinaigrette from Simply Healthy Home
- Caesar Dressing from Raising Generation Nourished
- Our favorite dressing-5 ways from A Whole New Mom
- Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Asian Salad Dressing from Raising Generation Nourished
- Italian Dressing Mix from Natural Fertility and Wellness
- Allergy-Free Ranch Dressing from A Whole New Mom
- DIY Homemade Olive Garden Dressing from Raising Generation Nourished
- Homemade Spicy Dressing from Natural Fertility and Wellness
Sandwiches are a favorite here. We love them in the summer because they are quick and require little to no heating. I love that there are so many gluten-free bread options available now. It makes for a guilt-free sandwich.
Sandwiches
- Gluten-Free Pita Bread from Raising Generation Nourished
- Chicken Cordon Blue Grilled Cheese from Just Take a Bite
- Heirloom Tomato & Avocado Sandwich with Creamy Herb Dressing from The Organic Kitchen
- Grain-free/Nut Free PB&J from It Takes Time
- Scottish Salmon Sandwich from The Organic Kitchen
- Dairy-Free Grilled Cheese from Homemade Dutch Apple Pie
Now, you have a HUGE amount of ideas to keep your house cool and nourish your body with summer fresh produce.
What is your favorite, non-cooked summer meal?
Jessica
Herbal Pregnancy Prep supplement