3 Refreshing Summer Salads

The season of fun in the sun and barbecues is upon us! Cool down the summer sizzle with delicious and refreshing salads. Take advantage of Mother Nature’s abundance and whip up some easy side dishes using fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Packed with antioxidants and flavor, these summer dishes will round out your health quotient and keep you as cool as a cucumber!

1. Berrylicious and Delicious

Forget the freezer section the next time you go grocery shopping! Enjoy this season’s mix of fresh berries. Chock full of vitamin C, fiber, and natural sweetness, these free-radical fighters make the perfect dessert, snack, or morning bowl of deliciousness. For a refreshing summer salad try the following recipe:

1/4 cup hulled strawberries

1/4 cup blueberries

1/4 cup blackberries

1/4 cup raspberries

A small bunch of fresh mint

2 Tbsp orange zest

Slice the strawberries in half and combine with the rest of the berries. Zest the skin of one orange and add to the mix. Chop the fresh mint and sprinkle into the salad. Enjoy with a few dollops of low-fat, unsweetened yogurt for a refreshing summertime treat!

Berry Bonus: Strawberries and raspberries contain the cancer-fighting phytochemical ellagic acid, which may inhibit tumor growth.

2. Cool n' Crunchy!

The next time you crave crunch, forget the bag of chips. Reach for cooling cucumber and refreshing radish for a vitamin boost to accompany your main dish. Follow this easy recipe and whip up a summer side salad that both you and your friends will love.

1 chilled sliced cucumber

2 small sliced radishes

1/2 cup low-fat, unsweetened yogurt

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp toasted sunflower seeds

Combine the cucumbers and radishes in a bowl. In a separate bowl combine the yogurt, olive oil, and lemon juice; stir until you get a creamy, even mixture. Add the yogurt mixture to the cucumber and radish bowl and mix well. Toast the sunflower seeds and allow to cool slightly before sprinkling them on top of the salad for an aromatic and nutty crunch.

Chew on This: Cucumber juice is rich in the natural compound silica, which gives your skin a natural radiance.

Bonus Tip: For youthful skin you may also try Second Spring Rejuvenation Cream, a uniquely formulated herbal blend that can help improve skin quality.

3. Mouthwatering Melon Delight

Nothing says summer like a juicy, cold watermelon! Your bones will love the calcium-rich feta, which is also packed with protein. Quench your thirst and satisfy your belly with this delicious salad that will have your guests begging for more!

1/2 cup watermelon chunks

1 Tbsp crumbled feta cheese

1/4 sliced onion

1 Tbsp fresh, chopped mint

Drizzle of honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and gently mix. Drizzle with a bit of honey for a touch of added sweetness.

Food for Thought: Watermelon is an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been associated with a reduced incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration.

I hope you and your friends will stay cool and healthy with these delicious recipes all summer long! You can discover more healing and longevity foods in The Natural Health Dictionary, a comprehensive guide that answers all your questions about natural remedies, healing herbs, healthy foods, vitamins, and supplements. You may also be interested in Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100, which is now available on Kindle.

I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

—Dr. Mao

This blog is meant to educate, but it should not be used as a substitute for personal medical advice. The reader should consult his or her physician or clinician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field is ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
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