Happy long weekend and Happy Meatless Monday!! The weather has been amazingly hot and I’ve got 2 great recipes for keeping you cool! These 2 recipes are inspired from one of my FAVORITE cookbooks- The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. This recipe book is loaded with gluten, dairy, soy, egg free recipes and really great nutrition info. It’s a must get book for all you Nutritionista’s and foodies out there.

Cooling Strawberry Orange Smoothie

Super refreshing and nutritious, this smoothie is loaded with vitamin C, mangnesium, potassium, fiber, and has the right amount of sweetness!

Ingredients

2 cups frozen strawberries

1/2 cup frozen peach slices

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

2-3 tablespoons raw agave nectar

Directions

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth

Cucumber, Tomato & Basil Salad

The perfect summertime ingredients! You can find these 3 ingredients all summer long, typically at farmers markets, or better yet- grow them yourself in your backyard for super fresh and organic goodness! As for the cucumbers, don’t peel them!! Their amazing skin is loaded with silica, magnesium and potassium! Silica is an amazing mineral that keeps your hair, skin and nails in tip top shape!

Ingredients

2 medium cucumbers, cut into thin slices

3 to 4 firm tomatoes, quartered, then sliced

1 medium avocado, chopped

1/2 cup Botija or Kalamata olives

1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

1 -2 garlic gloves, finely chopped

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Directions

Place the sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado and olives into a shallow serving dish. Add thinly sliced basil, choppped garlic, olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Gently toss; add sea salt, freshly ground black pepper and pine nuts. Toss again and serve.

Hope you enjoy these refreshing recipes!