Healthy Verano Meals for Busy Moms

Between taking los niños to summer camp, handling casita-chores and more, moms rarely partake in “the lazy days of summer.” Busy schedules make it difficult to stay healthy and consistently prepare nutritious foods for you and your family. But it is possible. And these delicioso meals and snacks will keep your family happy and sanos.

Salmon With Quinoa and Spices
Protein and gluten-free grains are a win-win combination for the whole family. Plus salmon is packed with brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. Plus this fish tastes great grilled. Once cooked, season your salmon filets with summer citrus like orange and lemon. When cooked to perfection, the fish will be somewhat flaky and come apart easily with a butter knife.

Quinoa is a simple and healthy side dish to prepare. Simply add 1 part quinoa to 1 ½ parts water in a pot, and cook until the quinoa is a fluffy texture, about 10 to 12 minutes. For some added flavor, mix in spices such as chili powder, cumin, coriander and garlic powder. Let the kids help you prepare your spice mixture for added fun!

Summer Ensalada With Fruit and Nuts
The hot weather is the perfect time for light meals that can work double duty as next-day snacks. For a healthy and satisfying entrée, prepare a salad with spinach and your favorite verano fruits. Some options are apples, watermelon, strawberries, kiwi, mango, peach and mandarin oranges. Encourage your kids to pick their favorites at the store. Cut up the fruit into bite size pieces and serve with walnuts or pecans. The nuts will satisfy your hunger because of the healthy fat content, says health and wellness authority Dr. Linda Marquez. Cut up enough fruit to serve with Greek yogurt the next day for a healthy breakfast.

Fruit and Vegetable Blend
Summer typically means “go-go-go,” so prepare healthy snacks for a family on the move to enjoy. “I’m a big proponent of juicing and blending,” says Dr. Marquez. This is also a great way to put the leftover summer salad ingredients to good use. Kids will enjoy this meal, and can help you prepare it. Have your kids add water, spinach, apples, lemon peel and ½ cup of frozen berries, such as raspberries and blueberries, to the blender. Take over from here, blend and serve in their favorite cup. For a healthy sweetener, use coconut sugar. This juice blend is a great start to the day, or perfect for a healthy and refreshing afternoon snack.