I’ve been trying to get “healthy” for the last year and a half. It’s not that I’m “unhealthy” but I could stand to lose a few pounds, I need to eat less sugar and I need to move more. I’ve tried a variety of things and I ebb and flow in how consistent I am.
It is MUCH easier for me to be healthy in the summer. Maybe because I’m in less clothes. Maybe it’s because all of my favorite fruits and veggies are in season.
Every other week we have our produce delivered via a local box service. I like that I’m buying from local farmers. We don’t live super close to the Farmer’s Market so this is the next best thing. But what about those in between times? Not to worry. My local has an entire section dedicated to NC local farmers.
I know I can walk into any Harris Teeter store in July and pick up some blueberries from Cottle Farms in Faison, NC. I use these in my favorite summer smoothie.
All you need is :
1 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
A heaping handful of blueberries (strawberries or blackberries work great too!)
3-4 ice cubes
Then blend to your preferred consistency. It’s super frothy and I just love it. It’s perfect for after a work-out.
Or I can get a huge bag of local green beans (also from Cottle) and make my favorite summer side dish – Bacon and Butter Green Beans. Sounds divine right?
First you wash and trim your green beans. For the three of us that eat them (my daughter will eat one, just one), I usually end up with about two lbs of green beans.
Then melt 1-2 tbs of butter (depending on your preference) in a skillet. Throw in the green beans and saute until crisp. Add several shakes of sea salt as you are cooking. When you have a few minutes left, throw in 1/4 cup of bacon bits. Then serve.
These are just some of the recipes we use in the summer with our fresh, local produce. I’d love to know what you make and which produce if your favorite.
This post was sponsored by Harris Teeter. I received compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.
It’s wonderful that Harris Teeter offers a local produce section! Supporting local farms is so important! The Butter & Bacon Green Beans look so tasty!
Great post! I love seeing local produce at the grocery store. And I agree that’s it’s easier to eat healthy when there’s so much fresh, seasonal produce on the shelves!
Those Bacon green beans sound divine! My 1 year old loves green beans and I bet I could get my husband to eat that recipe!
Bacon and butter green beans are pretty much an amazing way to eat your greens! Nothing beats local and fresh in the grocery store!
Both of these look delicious! Definitely going to try both of these. Hopefully, my kids will love the green beans, too.
We have Harris Teeter in the DC area but yet there’s not one right where we live so we haven’t been yet but thanks for giving me a good reason to venture out and shop there because we love anything fresh and local!
Nom… I love your suggestion for a simple smoothie for a post-workout boost. Will definitely have to try and it. And honestly, I’m with you. I don’t know what it is about summer that makes it easier to stick to a healthier routine, but that all my fave fruits and veggies are in season hurts nothing 😉