Does anyone else feel as if summer starts when school ends?
Perhaps I feel that way because “summer break” starts when the final bell of the year rings…
However, when I moved out of my freshman dorm two years ago, flurries of snow covered the ground! I wouldn’t expect much else from Madison, Wisconsin. After all, it is located between two lakes. Needless to say… it didn’t feel like summer started.
This year, the actual first day of summer is June 20th, tomorrow! What better way to celebrate summer than with a summer salad. Or summer shandy? LOL
This recipe is inspired by one of my family friends who I saw on my trip to Philly! When I flew back home, I was eager to test out the recipe.
Did you know that watermelons are 92% water? Watermelon is a great fruit for the summertime because it is VERY hydrating, hence the “water” in watermelon! 😉 If you don’t want to drink your water, why not eat it!
A juicy bite of this low fat fruit contains vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C and lycopene. Lycopene is a phytonutrient. Phytonutrients aren’t essential to living ( like vitamins and minerals ) but they may prevent diseases and keep your body working properly. Lycopene is linked with bone health, prostate health, heart health, and has anti-inflammatory properties! If you’re like me and bloat up like a balloon, incorporate more watermelon into your diet, especially during bikini season. 😉
My friends often voice concerns about consuming too much sugar from fruit. Fruits provide many benefits, but like anything else, should be consumed in moderation! If you have a meal high in sugar, your blood glucose levels will spike, crash down, and leave you feeling hungry. To avoid that sugar crash, I often pair fruits with a healthy fat ( like EVOO, avocado, peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower butter, coconut oil, etc… ) OR with a protein. Click here for my favorite fruity dessert that won’t spike your blood sugar!
The chicken in this salad will help moderate your blood sugar levels because of the high quantity of protein. So have no fear, chicken is here!
Tomorrow is the first day of summer so go to the grocery store ASAP and buy the ingredients!!
Recipe
arugula ( read about benefits here )
chicken
watermelon
feta
drizzle of balsamic
Directions
Add all ingredients to a large bowl. Mix and serve
I’d recommend using grilled chicken for this salad. I don’t have a grill at my apartment in Madison so I had to use the oven to cook my chicken and it still tastes delish!
How do you celebrate summer??
xx hails