Spring Recipes and Activities
We’ll start with sharing our favourite spring recipes. Keep in mind that every state is different in terms of which foods are in season. We encourage you to do a quick Google search to find out what is in season near you and make some swaps to include them in your meals. Fresh, local, and seasonal fruits and vegetables are not only more delicious – they’re also more nutrient-dense and often less expensive!
Spring Recipe #1: Asparagus Soup
Asparagus is a spring vegetable that is so versatile and fun to include in breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, you may serve a Grain Free Waffle (like a “bread”) topped with 1/4 cup cottage cheese (like a “spread” for the bread), roasted asparagus spears, and a fried/poached egg (fresh fruit on the side). For lunch or dinner, you may like to try this parmesan and asparagus soup.
We love serving the soup as a higher fat side dish along with a piece of salmon and 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (OR, if in Phase 1, you can blend white beans into the soup – about 1/2 cup per portion)
Spring Recipe #2: Beet Salad
While this is noted as a summer salad – it can also be a perfect, bright and refreshing recipe for the spring! Chef Dawn uses beets, walnuts, pomegranate, and feta cheese for a delicious sweet and salty salad combo that we think you’ll love. Grab the recipe here.
To make a complete meal, serve the salad with grilled boneless, skinless chicken thighs or seasoned tofu kabobs (about 3 ounces per person). Top the chicken or tofu with 2 to 3 TBS Tzatziki (Always Delicious page 304), and enjoy 1 to 1.5 cups of fruit on the side. For extra flavor, you can use the Souvlaki Marinade on Always Delicious page 163 for the chicken or tofu.
Spring Recipe #3: Waffle and Fruit Skewers
This is one of our favourites for kids! Prepare the Grain Free Waffle recipe as per the directions. Once cooked, cut the waffles into 1-inch square pieces. Place on a skewer, alternating between one waffle “bite” and one piece of fruit. Serve with warmed peanut butter as a delicious mid-day snack!
If serving as a meal, enjoy the equivalent of one waffle. On the side, mix together 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 1 tbsp peanut butter, and (optional) 1/2 tsp maple syrup or honey. Dip the skewers in the Greek yogurt “dip” and enjoy!
Spring Recipe #4: Fennel Salad
We HAD to include this recipe in our favourites! This shaved fennel salad is SO quick and easy to prepare – yet it feels like an elegant side dish. We’ve even done a video to show you how simple it is! We love serving this as an accompaniment to our Mediterranean Chicken (Always Hungry? page 245). Drizzle the chicken with 1-2 teaspoons of Olive Oil (or 1 tbsp of another AH/AD dressing/sauce of your choice) to round out the meal.
Spring Recipe #5: Hot Dog Buns
When spring comes, the BBQs turn on, and grilled meats start making an appearance. Chef Dawn tweaked her Grain Free Waffle recipe just a little bit to create an ultra light-and-fluffy “hot dog bun” that is perfect for serving your favourite chicken, beef, or turkey sausages! Be sure to click the link to see some of Dawn’s favourite ways to use them beyond “just hot dogs” including as a light sandwich “bread” AND to make a delicious strawberry shortcake-style dessert.
Spring Activities
Now that your body is nourished with delicious foods – it’s time to get active and enjoy the sun! Some of our favourite outside activities include…
- Walking (cherry blossom walks)
- Hiking
- Biking to a farmers market or around the neighbourhood
- Gardening
- Walk to the park with kids/grandkids
- Pickleball (a new and growing sport that is great to play with friends and family)
- Canoeing or kayaking
- Swimming
These are just a few out of many ideas – and we always love hearing more! Share your favourite spring recipes and activities with us on our Facebook Group here >>
Are you a woman who leads an active lifestyle?
Coach Kenzie has a special group for “Active Females” in her Always Nourished Community. Here, she provides specific nutritional guidance for those who lead a more active lifestyle so you can recover properly, build muscle mass, and feel GREAT during your exercise.