As summer approaches and family/friends gatherings ramp up, we tend to crave refreshing, simple bites that don’t take forever to prep and leave us feeling light. Whether you’re going to a graduation barbecue, attending a backyard gathering or are just enjoying a lazy summer day, make sure to check out these recipes that will hit the spot with their simplicity and focusing on cool, refreshing tastes!

Let’s get it started!

Breakfast

Banana Coconut Chia Pudding | The Blender Girl

Crustless Kale and Cheddar Quiche | All the Nourishing Things

Chia Berry Smoothie | PopSugar

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal | Joy Food Sunshine

Paleo Breakfast Bowl | PopSugar

Yogurt Filled Cantaloupe | PopSugar

Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie | PopSugar

RELATED: Anti-inflammatory Recipe Roll Call

Salads

Olive Cucumber Chickpea Salad | Veggies Save the Day

Cold Asian Noodle Salad | Running on Real Food

Apple Quinoa Salad | Cooking Classy

Avocado Egg Salad | Pinch of Yum

Charred Broccoli Salad | Alexandra Cooks

Blueberry Broccoli Spinach Salad | Peas and Crayons

Summer is all about the side, enjoy this array of ideas to wow all your neighbors!

Sides

Mango Salsa | Simply Recipes

Cauliflower Rice | Eat the Gains

Grilled Veggies Marinade | A Spicy Perspective

Grilled Maple Tahini Sweet Potatoes | One Green Planet

Honey Garlic Cauliflower | Kirbie’s Cravings

Garlic and Herb Grilled Eggplant | Every Last Bite

We can’t emphasize enough how important a good lunch is. We can find ourselves “too busy” to make a proper lunch so this summer let’s change that!

Lunch

Veggie Quesadillas | Erhardt’s Eat

Cilantro Lime Black Bean Rice | 

Black Bean Burgers | Sally’s baking edition

Crispy Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Zucchini | The Recipe Critic

Grilled Zucchini Hummus Wrap | Maebells

Mexican Rice Casserole | Making Thyme for Health

Chickpea Salad Sandwich | Vegan Runner Eats

RELATED: How to Meal Prep: 4 Easy Steps You Can Start Today

Dinner

Quinoa Power Bowl | Dishing out Health

Pineapple Ginger Chicken | The Whole Cook

Beef Fajita with Mango Salsa | A Clean Plate

Dill Flounder with Green Salad | 50 Shades of Avocado

Spinach Avocado Chicken Burgers | Unbound Wellness

Garlic Butter Cod Asparagus Skillet | Eatwell 101 

BBQ Lentil Sloppy Joes | Emilie Eats

Dessert

Paleo Vegan Peach Cobbler | Paleo Running Momma

Vegan Paleo Butter Pecan Ice Cream | Allergy Free Alaska

Paleo Lemon Tart | 

Zucchini Bread | Small Footprint Family

Homemade Pineapple Soft Serve | Eve Lifestyle

Snickers Smoothie | Vegan Foodie

Mango Lassi | All Recipes

Who said eating healthy over the summer had to be boring? These delicious recipes will have you wishing it was summer everyday!

Marwa Ismail

Marwa Ismail, Health Coach, uses her training from Institute for Integrative Nutrition and MindBodyGreen to empower patients in making sustainable lifestyle changes to better their health & wellness.