It’s Springtime, baby! The weather is FINALLY warming up after what has felt like the LONGEST, GRAY-IST, RAINIEST winter of all time in Nashville, and with the sun shining and the temps rising, my food cravings change in a big way…Here come the salads and smoothies and raw, crunchy veggies and I. am. here. for. it.
Here are 5 of the things I’m looking forward to working into our rotation for spring -
Radishes - these really hit my radar last spring when I started seeing the pretty watermelon variety (pictured above) everywhere! Radishes are not only pretty and springy looking but they are a great source of immune-boosting vitamin C (1/2 cup = 15% daily recommended intake) and fiber to keep those pesky spring colds away. They also have a high water content and that combined with the vitamin c, several B vitamins and zinc are a recipe for good for skin, which we all want heading into warmer weather (and less makeup).
Suggested eating - slice the beautiful radishes on top of a salad for extra zip and crunch or serve them raw with dip for the kiddos. My kids love how crunchy they are and the bright color means they're appealing to the eye, which can be key for the little ones!
Grilling - when the weather heats up, so does the grill! I’m looking to be more adventurous with our grill this summer and trying a larger variety of things grilled in addition to our tried and true favorites. Grilling is a great way to add flavor to foods and it’s quick with easy clean-up. Plus, the kids can run around outside while dinner is being made - 2 birds, 1 stone - victory for all.
Our go-to favorite is grilled salmon with a grilled corn, avocado and tomato salsa.
Top of my list to try - grilled pizza loaded with veggies.
Flavored Water - sliced lemon in your water is hot in the wellness circuit for good reason - it aids digestion and detox, has immune-boosting benefits, and is great for your skin. But this spring I’m looking to change up the flavors in my water with fruit and herbs. I’m thinking cucumber + lime + mint for a refreshing and hydrating combination. Bonus - mint is soothing and aids in digestion to keep any discomfort in the belly area at bay. I’m also going to try strawberry + lemon + basil for an antioxidant -packed, flavorful treat and the addition of the basil makes it stress-reducing. Let me know if you try either of these combos or any others you have to share.
Asparagus - while we’re lucky enough to be able to get asparagus year-round, spring is it’s “in season” time, so I plan to load us up with some fresh asparagus from the farmer’s market and serve it in all the ways. One of our favorites is to grill it along with salmon and potatoes, and I’m planning on trying a variation of this recipe for Baked Asparagus Fries - any kind of fries are welcome in my kids world - we’ll see how asparagus fries stack up. The bright green asparagus stalk is packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B6, C, E & K, as well as iron, folate, calcium, and fiber. It’s immune and mood enhancing and good for digestion in addition to many other benefits.
Herbs - I love to plant and grow herbs in a pot in our backyard, but have been notorious for becoming overrun with herbs and never remembering to use them. This spring I’m making a point to plant the herbs I specifically want to use and then use them more liberally and more often. One huge benefit of using herbs in cooking is that you get a ton of flavor while still being able to keep your ingredients fresh and simple. Simply changing up the herbs in a marinade for your grilled chicken can make it seem like a completely different meal. Each herb has a distinct flavor and nutritional value. Some of my favorite herbs to grow and use include basil, rosemary, mint and tarragon.
Whew I’m glad the sun is shining now. I can’t wait to get some fresh, new meals going and revive our weekend trips to the farmer’s market. Stay tuned to see what actually ends up on our table this spring :)
