Food

Juicing is a great way to work more of those nutritional overachievers known as greens into your diet. Pineapple provides just the right amount of sweetness, while ginger gives each sip a little bite. For most juicers, it is not necessary to remove the skin of the pineapple, as it will just be turned into pulp.

Inspired by the classic Spanish cold soup, this juice is refreshing and nutritious all in one. The sweetness of the watermelon is a perfect counterweight to the earthy elements of the vegetables. It’s tantamount to sunshine in a glass.

Sweet potato is the surprising ingredient here and can be juiced with good results. The fetching orange hue is a tip-off that each sip is loaded with beta carotene, an antioxidant that can be converted to vitamin A in the body to help bolster bone, immune, and eye health.

Blueberry season is the perfect time to use your juicer to upgrade one of summer’s most iconic treats: the root beer float. Consider sprinkling with a whisper of grated nutmeg. Source some quality coconut or regular ice cream if you don’t have an ice cream maker to make your own.

These burgers are perfect as bite-sized sliders for a party appetizer, or as full-sized burgers for lunch or dinner. They’re chock full of pulses, healthy fats, and antioxidants.

This easy-to-prepare meal is a valuable addition to any busy cook’s culinary repertoire. The added bonus—it’s chock full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant-rich veggies!

This salad packs a protein punch with loads of flavour to boot. Orzo is a type of pasta that is light and chewy—not as heavy as other types of pasta. Orzo comes in whole wheat and gluten-free varieties.    

This 100 percent gluten-free dish is great for entertaining friends this summer. It is relatively easy to prepare and takes on a rich, almost smoky flavour because all of the contents of the sauce are roasted.

Both refreshing and light, this mouth-watering recipe makes a great summer salad. It is essentially vegan minus the honey and is also very filling because of the nuts. Tasty with the almond cheese, this recipe also works very well with a nice goat feta. Best tomato choice A colourful mixture is best for this refreshing salad because yellow and orange tomatoes are lower in acid than red tomatoes. An heirloom variety called Oaxacan Jewel is a great choice since it combines all of those colours. Notes

Halloumi is a marvellous cheese hailing from Cyprus that does not melt on the grill, making it the perfect meat alternative. The outside gets crispy while the inside turns velvety. Cut the block of cheese into fairly thick chunks so they don’t break apart when skewering them. Dollops of sun-dried pesto give the dish even more pizzazz.

When grilled to smoky perfection, chunks of tofu will even appease passionate carnivores. The silky nut sauce adds delicious richness to each bit. Consider serving over whole grain rice.    

With a sidekick of jazzed-up gluten-free tabbouleh, these chicken kebabs are sure to become a go-to dinner favourite. Traditionally made with bulgur, millet is a healthy gluten-free alternative. The smoky, citrusy yogurt sauce puts these kebabs over the top, so to speak.

Surprise, you can turn to kebabs for a fun dessert that plays by the nutritional rules. Grilled bananas are a taste revelation, but you can apply the same concept to other fruits such as mangoes, nectarines, peaches, and plums.

While most people think of shrimp when it comes to kebabs, buttery scallops shine on skewers. Just be sure to use the largest sea scallops you can find. If desired, you can replace mango with wedges of seasonal peaches.

Need a quick sweet treat to combat the balmy summer heat? Then look no further! With a little preparation this dessert comes together in two minutes.

Just one bite of this dreamy dairy-free dessert will have you singing words of praise for the avocado. Botanically classified as a fruit, avocados are a good source of fibre, protein, and heart-healthy fats. So go ahead and indulge in this frozen treat.    

The bright flavour of lemon, sweet sun-kissed blueberries, and the unexpected crunch of poppy seeds will make this sweet treat a summer staple in your freezer. The hardest part is waiting for it to freeze!

This surprisingly delicious combination utilizes the natural sweetness of carrots and apricots to make a frozen indulgence that is chock full of vitamin A.

This raw frozen treat is reminiscent of a much loved chocolate hazelnut spread in taste but without all the refined sugar and artificial flavours. Try folding in some cacao nibs and chopped cherries for an added burst of flavour and crunch.

Make dinner a DIY taco bar so all your time goes into prepping, not serving! Omega-3 rich salmon cooks up quickly. And since the oven is already on, make use of the heat to roast tomatoes for salsa (no chopping!). Use rocket or baby spinach instead of shredded iceberg lettuce to fill tacos—more nutrients and less prep!

With its heart-healthy benefits, the Mediterranean diet has long been touted as a smart and enjoyable way to eat. A typical meal is primarily made from vegetables, pulses (such as beans), whole grains and either lean meat or fish with a liberal dose of olive oil. The cooking moves quickly in this dish so it’s best to prep all ingredients before starting.

This is a twist on the usual bowl of pasta for dinner. The sauce is made with coconut milk and almond butter, so while it’s über creamy, there isn’t any dairy. Substitute wheat pasta with brown rice or quinoa noodles if you want a gluten-free option (make sure your soy sauce is gluten-free, if that’s the case).

Use a food processor for speedy prep. Puréeing the onions and tomatoes with spices helps the flavours blend faster, which means cooking time is slashed.      

Most people drown their quinoa in too much water or stock when cooking. Check out the best way to retain the nuttiness of the grain following the method below. Add a few grilled ingredients, nuts and fresh herbs, and it’s a powerhouse dish that covers all the bases for a healthy cancer-fighting meal.