Summertime, and the cooking is easy. Nobody north of the equator wants to slave over a hot stove. So give yourself permission to err on the side of rawsome. Snacks should be quick, delicious, and tide you over till happy hour--at least. Here are six smart snack hacks to try.
Snack Bars
Bars have come a long way. They used to taste like taffy made out of protein powder, but now bars have become something of an art form. Take KIND bars, with their spot on flavor profiles and satisfying blend of textures. Their macadamia nut bars might win a special place in your heart—and their dark chocolate offerings will please even the most highfalutin connoisseur.
Smoothie town
Start with a coconut water base, and add a teaspoon of chia seeds, a teaspoon of maca powder, and a tablespoon of fresh ground flax seeds. Then add some fresh fruit, a handful of greens, and a few ice cubes and voila! A mobile, robust liquid refreshment that gives you a taste of a private paradise. If you want to make it into a meal—upgrade with a scoop of protein powder. You’ll be surprised by how filling it is.
Caprese delight
One summer food favorite is caprese: cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil. The deconstructed version eschews the bread and instead skewers the ingredients for a light snack with plenty of mouth feel.
Cornutopia
Another great summer snack is leftover corn on the cob (organic makes for a tasty, safe choice). Add a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, a sprinkle of whatever herbs you have on hand, and presto—leftover grilling that keeps you chilling.
Snap to it
It’s hard to resist the sweetness of fresh picked sugar snap peas. Try combining the crisp wholesomeness of snap peas with the heft of some tamari almonds. Makes for a snack that has satisfying crunch—and staying power.
Radical radish
The garden grab n’ go theme continues with this yummy spin off on fresh radishes. Try them paired with butter and sea salt. The fat in butter makes this snack extra satisfying—it’s the perfect balance to the radishes’ sharpness.
Wraptastic
Get a handful of lettuce leaves and get creative with what you put inside. Chicken and cashew nuts works great, as does avocado and tahini. Baked tofu and cherry tomatoes offers a tasty vegetarian option.
Enjoy summer’s bounty, and experiment with creative combinations that showcase the vital goodness of a fresh harvest.
