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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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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Breakfast: My Favorite Time of Day

I am what you would call a morning person. My internal alarm usually wakes me before my alarm clock. I love getting a head start on the day while the world is still asleep.

Most of the time, I wake up because I am hungry for my favorite meal, breakfast! I have a preference for sweet things or a 'sweet tooth' and breakfast usually incorporates something sweet. Breads, fruit, and (sweet) coffee - oh my!

Breakfast is a great way to start the day. Breakfast is literally breaking the fast. We fast, or don't eat, while we sleep. Our bodies can fast for some time, but breaking the fast is a healthy, jump-start to the day and to your metabolism. Many of my clients that are trying to lose weight inadvertently sabotage themselves by skipping meals. Most often breakfast is the meal that is skipped. This is a problem. One, you aren't breaking the fast. This can trick your body into thinking you are starving - on a desert-island somewhere. I digress. Over time, your body will become accustom to this skipping of meals and decrease your metabolism (the base energy your body need to stay alive). So, eat your breakfast! Ok?

If you need more incentive, here are some quick, easy breakfast ideas to start your day.

1) Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a delicious whole grain. It can be topped with different fruits, spices, and nuts to mix up the flavor. I especially like hot oatmeal on a cold morning. Oatmeal is a great

2) Cereal to go
Many people say time is the barrier to eat breakfast. I understand mornings are busy. So, pack your cereal in a zip top bag. Pour milk into a to-go cup. And, you are ready to take your breakfast to go!

3) Parfait
Parfaits are a visually appealing layered dish. Let's make this treat for breakfast! Add layers of your favorite yogurt, cereal, granola, nuts, and fruit. Repeat the layers. Top with fruit and mint. And enjoy! This can be assembled the night before, so it is a quick breakfast.

4) Smoothies
Smoothies are a great on-the-go breakfast drink. You can prepare a "smoothie pack" by washing the fruits or vegetables you want to include and putting them in zip top bags or in mason jars. Then, everything is ready to blend with yogurt, milk, or your favorite non-dairy option.

I prefer smoothies to juicing because juicing will pull out fiber which helps you feel full and can help lower cholesterol.
 

5) Breakfast Burritos
Take a whole grain tortilla, fill with scrambled eggs or egg whites, add your favorite veggies (tomatoes, mushrooms, onions), top with cheese, roll, and enjoy!

6) Paninis
Some people prefer savory to sweet. If you like savory breakfasts, this breakfast panini is for you! Toast whole wheat bread, add egg or egg whites, spinach, cheese and tomato.

7) Breakfast Bruscetta
I like to think of this as Italian-inspired toast. Toast bread and add a spread. (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, olive oil, or mozzarella). Then top with tomatoes and basil for a savory delicious start to your day.

Start your day with any of these filling breakfasts, and you will be fueled for success. I hope these seven breakfast ideas will encourage you to eat seven days of the week!

For more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating, follow me, RDtipoftheday, on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter for more recipes, encouragement, and tips for healthy eating. You can subscribe to this blog, RDtipoftheday.blogspot.com, through BlogLovin.