Here are 5 easy recipes I love for warm days and nights: super fresh, herby, and loaded with nutrition & flavor.

Lemon and Rosemary Marinade

Adding antioxidant-rich herbs to your marinade can reduce the formation of cancer-causing chemicals released when animal protein is cooked at a high temperature. Rosemary has been shown to be particularly beneficial.

Adding lemon to the marinade can also help to cut down on cancer-causing chemical formation. And it adds amazing flavor!

Ingredients:

• Juice of 2 large lemons
• 1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and pepper

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a glass baking dish. Marinate chicken for at least 1 to 2 hours in the mixture before grilling.

Smoked Salmon and Pomegranate Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Inspired by a memorable salad I had in Ikaria’s Blue Zone last summer, this fresh salad combines rich smoked salmon with bursts of sweet pomegranate, all tied together with a tangy honey mustard dressing.

Salad Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed greens (arugula, spinach, lettuce)
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/2 pound smoked salmon, flaked (I like the wild-caught smoked salmon from Trader Joe’s)
• 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

Honey Mustard Dressing Ingredients:

• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, smoked salmon, and goat cheese (if using).
2. Make dressing: Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine. 
3. Drizzle with Honey Mustard Dressing and toss to coat.
4. Sprinkle chopped fresh dill on top.

Sunny Sauce

This is a bright yellow, super creamy turmeric ginger sauce that will brighten up your day. It is delicious drizzled over your favorite salads, bowls, or used as a dip for raw veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 4 tsp lemon juice
• 1 TBSP honey
• 1 TBSP miso
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth.

Creamy Green Basil Smoothie

This Creamy Green Basil Smoothie is bursting with a sweet herby flavor of summer. Strawberries are a relatively low sugar fruit and are packed full of antioxidants and fiber. This smoothie is full of fat, fiber, and protein, resulting in stable blood sugar, keeping you feeling full for hours.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spinach
• 4-5 frozen strawberries
• 4 large fresh basil leaves
• ¼ avocado (or a few chunks of frozen avocado)
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 scoop vanilla plant-based protein powder (I like Sunwarrior)
• 12-16 ounces unsweetened almond milk

Optional add-ins to boost the fiber:

• Kiwi
• Basil seeds*

*Basil seeds have 2x the fiber of chia seeds! One tablespoon gives you 7 grams of fiber! Use code LAKESIDE for 15% off!

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend at high speed until smooth and creamy. Add more liquid if desired.

Green Goddess Slaw

Cabbage is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family. Cruciferous vegetables are rich in sulfur-containing compounds known as glucosinolates which support detoxification pathways and help prevent cancer, notably hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast cancer.

Add shredded chicken or beans to this slaw for a filling weekday lunch.  Or top your tacos with this slaw for a burst of flavor and nutrition.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of cole slaw mix

Green Goddess Dressing

• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup walnuts or cashews
• 1 cup fresh basil
• ½ cup fresh parsley
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 4 TBSP water

Instructions:

1. Add shredded cabbage to a medium sized bowl.
2. Make dressing: Combine dressing ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
3. Drizzle the dressing generously over the salad and toss. If you have leftover dressing, it stores well in a glass jar in the fridge.