Let's Celebrate July

Y'all I LOVE celebrations! I love birthdays, holidays, Tuesdays, and Fridays! I love celebrating achievements: graduations, babies, marriage, or just being an amazing human being. Give me a reason, and I'll celebrate with you! So, this is a new feature that I thought would be fun! 

In this series, I provide an overview of the food celebrations and holidays in the month, so you can celebrate! For me, this list is helpful for menu planning or throwing themed dinners. These food holidays are a great way to have a themed meal and invite people over to your home. 

I feel like inviting people into your home is a great way to build community. There's something about breaking bread, cooking, sharing recipes, and food that sparks conversation. I love talking and celebrating around a table. So, here are some food celebrations in July.

July has several celebrations throughout the month. July is:

• National Picnic Month
• National Baked Bean Month
• National Culinary Arts Month
• National Hot Dog Month
• National Ice Cream Month

There are also many celebrations on days throughout July. 

• July 4 is National Barbecue Day & Caesar Salad Day
• July 5 is National Turnover Day
• July 6 is National Fried Chicken Day
• July 7 is National Macaroni Day
• July 9 is National Sugar Cookie Day

• July 10 is "Pick Blueberries' Day
• I have several recipes that use fresh blueberries. Check out my homemade granola and make a parfait. Drink a peach and blueberry breakfast smoothie. Or, create a fresh Summer salad to enjoy for lunch or dinner.

• July 11 is National Blueberry Muffin Day

• July 12 is National Pecan Pie Day

• July 17 is National Peach Ice Cream Day
• July 20 is National Ice-cream Sundae Day
• July 21 is National Creme Brûlée Day 
• July 23 is National Vanilla Ice Cream and National Hot Dog Day
• July 25 is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

• July 28 is National Hamburger Day
• July 29 is National Lasagna Day
• July 30 is National Cheesecake Day

I thought this list would be inspiring for your meal plan for July and would encourage some party and entertaining ideas. So, let's celebrate. If you participate in these monthly celebrations, tag me, @RDtipoftheday, and use the hashtag #RDTODcelebrate for a chance to be featured. 

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

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Fresh Summer Salad with Almond Crusted Feta

It finally feels like Summer, the temperatures are consistently in the 80s here and the daylight is lasting longer. There are gorgeous strawberries and blueberries at the farmer's market and in all the grocery stores. I finished grading all the final exams. It's Summer time!

I have a confession; I can not stop eating this salad. Second confession, I don't want to stop eating it. This salad is inspired by a similar salad I had at a restaurant with almond covered goat cheese. It was so good! Warm feta encrusted in a golden, toasted shell. Yes, please!

My recipe has more fruit, both in amount and variety. I also used my favorite salad green, spinach. Spinach is high in folate, which plays an important role in DNA and cell proliferation. Folate has been shown to play roles in preventing some types of cancer and is an essential nutrient especially during pregnancy. I hope you enjoy this quick, delicious, nutritious, nutrient-dense recipe.

Fresh Summer Salad with Almond Crusted Feta Cheese

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 7-10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 ounces feta cheese
1/4 cup fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced
1/4 cup fresh blueberries, rinsed and dried
1 1/2 cups fresh spinach
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons sliced almonds

2 Tablespoons canola oil or olive oil
1 egg

For salad dressing:

1 Tablespoon pureed strawberries or strawberry jelly/jam

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 Tablespoons olive oil

Crack egg into a bowl and scramble.

Mix panko and 1 Tablespoon almonds in a second bowl.

Slice 2, one-ounce slices of feta. Place feta into egg mixture. Then, dip in panko and almonds. Cover all cheese with the crunchy coating. Repeat with second slice of feta. Place breaded feta on a place and put in freezer for ~5 minutes.

Wash and thoroughly dry vegetables.

Place spinach, strawberries, and blueberries in a salad bowl.

Mix strawberry puree or strawberry jelly, lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and olive oil to make salad dressing. Use 1-2 Tablespoons to dressing for your salad.

Preheat oven to 300*F. Heat a small oven-safe pan with 2 Tablespoons canola or olive oil on medium heat. Place feta into pan. Brown cheese for 2-3 minutes until crust is golden brown. Flip cheese and brown on second side for 2 minutes. Then, place in the oven for 4-5 minutes until cheese is golden brown and warmed through.

Top salad with 1 Tablespoon almonds and feta. Enjoy!

This red, white, and blue recipe is perfect to bring on a picnic, Fourth of July Party, or Memorial Day party. To make it more transportable, you can pack this salad in a mason jar or recyclable plastic cup. Layer the dressing first, Then the blueberries and strawberries. Add your salad greens and top with feta. 

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

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Quick and Fruity Breakfast Smoothie

Good morning! Do you know why it's a good morning? I had a great breakfast! I wake up and am motivated to get out of bed because of breakfast. It's a great way to start the day. I love this simple, quick smoothie to start your day in a healthy way. If you're looking for a quick breakfast, this is your recipe.

I love fruit and yogurt, which is the base of this smoothie. I love using frozen fruits for smoothies. They keep your drink cold. And, frozen fruit is a great way to eat fruit out of season and get micronutrients, like vitamins and minerals, in the winter. Fruit is picked in season. Then, frozen. Since I can't get fresh peaches and blueberries this time of year, frozen fruit is the way to go.

Here's the recipe for my Peach and Blueberry Smoothie.
1 ripe banana
1 1/4 cup frozen peaches
1/2 cup blueberries
6 ounces light vanilla yogurt (I used Yoplait yogurt.)
1/4 cup skim milk

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. This smoothie is a gorgeous color. It has a thick, silky texture that still allows you to drink it through a straw. It's portable. It blueberryrific. It's peachy! It's a great way to start your day.  Enjoy!

I know many of you are working on your new goals and resolutions. If your goal is to eat breakfast, try this delicious smoothie. It takes very little time to prepare and is a great way to start your day.

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. 

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