Summer Produce Shopping List
I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for summer. I love everything about summer. I love the heat, I love the sun, I love light meals, I love drinking crisp rosé and bubbles on a summer afternoon. I love summer bbq’s. There’s literally not one thing I dislike about summer. It’s also my favorite season for fresh produce because you can make so many different meals and they’re all skin boosting and healthy recipes. I’ve compiled your summer produce shopping list along with some of my favorite recipes.
Avocado-Like lotion-but for the inside. Avocado’s are not only delicious, they’re super nourishing and nutrient dense. They are full of fiber, omega 3’s, magnesium and b vitamins. Avocado’s are full of good fats that are essential for our brains, our muscle tissue and our organ tissue. They also help promote skin elasticity by adding more moisture to our skin.
Banana-The Restoration fruit. Yes, bananas have high sugar content, and yes they have high carbohydrate content, but they are soooooo nutrient dense and good for us. Banana’s not only have high potassium, but they also have the powerful ability to flush out our systems. This is why you hear athletes saying to eat a banana when they’re cramping up. Our bodies digests banana’s by detoxing and flushing out all unwanted toxins, especially in the liver. This is also why bananas are so good after one too many tequilas.
Cucumber- The Gut friendly detoxifier. Cucumbers have little nutrients but they’re powerful. Their water content is high, making it a gut friendly food, aiding in the help of detoxing the gut of any impurities or toxins. Cucumbers are also super hydrating for us internally because of their high water content and high vitamin c content.
Fig-The fiber rich fruit. When I think of figs, I think of fig bars that are usually dry and taste like dirt LOL. It wasn’t until I experienced eating figs in their natural form at my previous restaurant that really made me fall in love with them. Figs are super nutrient dense and help keep us regular. They contain a ton of roughage so they’re powerful in helping our skin clear from the inside as well.
Kiwi-The Glowing fruit of the season. Surprisingly, kiwi’s contain higher amounts of vitamin C than oranges do which makes them crucial for glowing skin in the summer. Fun fact: Our bodies can’t produce vitamin C so we have to consume it. It’s essential for immunity, clear skin, and healthy tissue that is all over our body.
Lime-The natural antibiotic. Limes have just as much nutrient dense properties as lemons. They contain natural and high amounts of citric acid which help with skin glowing properties and antibacterial properties. They help clean out bacteria and unwanted toxins. They’re also full of vitamin C and don’t create an overabundance of citrus in our bodies. They’re the perfect garnish for a cocktail, a must for guac and any other mexican food dishes.
Strawberry- The collagen bestie. Collagen is the biggest protein we have in our bodies. As we age, the collagen production within our cells, begins to decline. The result: wrinkles, weak hair, weak nails, and dull unhealthy looking skin. Strawberries contain not only vitamin C but folate as well, aiding in bringing back some of that lost collagen. Strawberries also contain fiber and phytochemicals that help boost our skin’s natural glow.
Tomato-The Vitamin Rich Auntie. Tomatoes are best during the summer because of the variety you can find at the grocery store or farmers market. I love getting heirloom tomatoes from the farmers market and making a panzanella or fresh pasta (more on this below). Tomatoes are also super nutrient dense containing vitamins A and K along with b-complex, which makes them the super hero when it comes to boosting glowing skin. The red pigment in tomatoes is also helpful in protecting us from UV-ray damage.
Watermelon-The summer essential. Our skin is more prone to losing moisture in the summer because we are out in dryer and hotter climates. Watermelon, just like cucumbers have high water content which help keep our skin hydrated. It boosts collagen which is key to unlocking our bodies natural glow from the inside out. It’s also high in vitamin C, which we cannot make on our own. Not to mention, watermelon is delicious!
Zucchini- The undercover hydrator. I love zucchini’s in the summertime. Grilled, or added to a light pasta, or even baked in a dessert. The reason I have given them the name of ‘undercover hydrator’ is because they contain soooo much water and vitamin C, most people have no idea how good they are for you. They also help regulate blood sugars, they fight free radicals in the body which make them super powerful antioxidants.
Recipe’s
Zucchini and Tomato Pasta
Ingredients:
2 cups shredded or diced zucchini
3 cloves fresh garlic
3 small heirloom tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
White wine for cooking
2 tablespoons olive oil
freshly grated parmesan cheese
gluten free spaghetti
salt and pepper
chili flakes
Cook:
In a heavy bottomed pot, cook your pasta per the cooking instructions on the package.
While the pasta is boiling, over medium high heat, heat the olive oil in a heavy pan until it is simmering.
Add in the fresh garlic, and zucchini, s&p, and the chili flakes. Cook the zucchini until golden and soft. Add in a few dashes of white wine to deglaze the pan scraping up any brown bits. Add in the tomatoes and turn down to a simmer.
Take 3/4 cup of the pasta water and add it into the zucchini and tomato sauce (this will thicken the sauce)
Drain your pasta and add it into the sauce stirring quickly to coat the pasta
grate parmesan cheese over the pasta and finish with a touch more olive oil and sea salt. Garnish with more chili flakes and fresh basil if desired.
Watermelon, cucumber and feta salad
Ingredients:
One small watermelon or half large watermelon diced
one cube of feta cheese diced
one large cucumber or 3-4 english cucumbers diced
salt and pepper
Juice of 2 limes
olive oil
fresh mint and basil (optional)
Cook:
Chopp the watermelon, cucumbers, and feta and mix into a large bowl.
Add in salt and pepper and mix again
drizzle olive oil and freshly squeezed lime juice and toss to coat
garnish with fresh mint and basil leaves
Serve cold
Fig and Strawberry balsamic glaze salad
Ingredients:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
handful of strawberries sliced
handful of figs halved
fresh baby spinach or field greens
goat cheese
olive oil for drizzling
salt and pepper
Cook
Pour the balsamic into a pot over medium high heat and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer until the balsamic has reduced into a thick consistency.
While the balsamic is reducing, place the mixed greens into a bowl and toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
Add in the figs, strawberries and goat cheese, toss to combine
Once the balsamic is thick enough, drizzle over the mixed greens mixture.
Place the salad on top of toasted bread or pita, grilled steak or as a salad all on it’s own.