I mean, does this picture make you want to dive right in (to the water AND the plate?) or what!
It’s officially…almost…lake and pool season here in Arkansas and I am determined to feel absolutely amazing this summer. I for one have been guilty in the past of letting summer be a free-for-all where I let my healthy habits slide and I end up at the beginning of September feeling unrecognizable. NOT. THIS. SUMMER. I learned that lesson many years ago – taking my foot off the gas pedal all summer long just because I was pouting (LOL) that I wasn’t *at my goal body yet* is the wroooong approach and is a SUREFIRE way to end up packing on more pounds and feeling more defeated than ever before. This summer – it’s all about taking care of myself and my habits. You may not be at your goal yet, but how FABULOUS would you feel come August if you were down 15 or so pounds and sliding into shorts that were snug just a few months before? I can tell you how you’d feel – grateful you didn’t waste that precious time!
Our Balanced Babe Academy Summer theme is: on track to nourished, energized, and balanced.
And we will be channeling this energy ALL Summer long.
This summer, instead of overindulging and getting off-balance with our food, we’re going to nourish our body so that we can truly look and feel our best from the inside out. Instead of getting off track with poor sleep habits and skipping workouts due to a lack of routine or limited time, we’re going to remember that movement creates energy and whether we are getting in an express workout, going for a quick walk for a long leisurely stroll, or getting stronger with strength training, we’re going to keep our energy high all summer long. And finally, this summer we are going to be present in the moment and enjoy making the memories with our loved ones while also knowing this can exist while we are on track to our transformation because it’s truly all about balance
And it all starts with Memorial Day. This can either be a slippery slope that leads you down a path that takes a bunchy of twisty turns and you find yourself lost and distant from your habits OR it can be a practice run for setting up a successful summer where you prioritize eating nourishing foods while sprinkling in the fun indulgences that fit too!
And I’m here to help – starting with your new summer staple recipe: my Garden Veggie Dijon Pasta Salad. I had my practice run this past weekend when Dave and I went out on the lake. In the middle of this fat loss goal season, less than 30 days away from our beach trip that I want to feel amazing for, I crafted a plan (that was a picnic) for us to enjoy a meal that aligned with my goals. This pasta salad, some fun cheeses, meats, crackers, and my newest obsession – alcohol removed Champagne for fresh fruit mimosas!! It was delicious, filling, and all fit into my diet.
In eating this meal I could not help but feel thankful that as summer approaches with all of these fun moments where good food is the center of the get-together and memories that will be made, I have adopted this balanced, flexible diet and lifestyle approach that allows me to truly enjoy the season while STILL losing weight and feeling my best this summer.
It is NOT one or the other. You CAN have the best of both worlds. Throughout my 100 lb weight loss journey, I saw many summers and I enjoyed them while still working towards my goal. No deprivation, no extreme fad diets – just blissful balance in a body I feel strong and confident in!
You can have this kind of summer too.
Onto the recipe!
GARDEN VEGGIE DIJON PASTA SALAD
1 serving | 200 CALS | 10F 22C 7P 5g Fiber
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 3 mini seedless cucumbers, cut into halves and sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tbsp dijon mustard (depending how tangy you like)
- 1 tbsp honey
- salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried parley
- 4 oz Banza (or chickpea) cavatappi pasta, cooked according to directions on box
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients through cherry tomatoes in large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk all ingredients through honey until combined
- Whisk in seasonings to taste
- Pour mixture over vegetables and toss to coat
- Gently fold in cooked pasta and combine all ingredients
- Store in fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight
-Chickpea pasta has more fiber and protein than regular pasta. Changing pastas will change the nutrition information in this recipe
-Cook chickpea pasta until just soft, remove and rinse in cold water immediately to avoid breaking down
-Honey is optional. If you prefer a tangy, less sweet flavoring, skip it
-Add an additional protein source, like chicken sausage, deli meat, rotisserie chicken, beans, etc.
I would love for you to make this and send me a pic! It’s perfect for a meal prepped lunch, a bbq, pool day, picnic at the park – whatever your heart desires!
-xo Hilary
Cheers to a balanced summer!
P.S. Now is the perfect time to set your habits up for summer success – join us and you too can have a nourished, energized, balanced summer! JOIN US HERE
