What I Eat When I Don’t Feel Like Cooking in Summer

By the time summer rolls around, my desire to spend time in the kitchen definitely starts to disappear.

The days get longer and the weather finally feels good again. Weekends fill up quickly, dinners happen later, and suddenly, spending an hour in the kitchen feels a lot less appealing.

We wait all year for these summer days. Being outside more, moving a little slower, enjoying evenings on the patio... that’s part of wellness too.

But while my desire to cook definitely changes in the summer, one thing that doesn’t change is how important it is to keep nourishing myself well.

Skipping meals, grazing all day, or relying on convenience foods all summer usually catches up pretty quickly in energy, digestion, sleep, and cravings.

Instead of trying to cook elaborate meals, I lean into simple meals that feel easy, fresh, and satisfying.

These are some of my go-to summer staples when I don’t feel like cooking:

Big “Throw Together” Salads

Not tiny side salads - actual filling meal sized salads.

I usually start with greens, then add:

• grilled chicken, salmon, hard boiled eggs, or chickpeas

• chopped veggies (lots of them)

• avocado or feta

• nuts or seeds

• a simple dressing

Everything gets tossed into one big bowl and dinner is done.

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Taco Bowls

One of the easiest summer meals (and one of my favs!)

Ground turkey, chicken or beef, rice/quinoa, lettuce, chopped veggies, salsa, guacamole and cheese. It becomes a bit of a fun event as everyone can build their own bowl and leftovers work perfectly for lunch the next day.

Snack Plates for Dinner

Sometimes it’s less about “making dinner” and more about putting together a balanced plate.

Things like:

• veggies and hummus

• boiled eggs

• crackers

• cheese

• turkey slices

• fruit

• nuts

Simple, low effort, and surprisingly satisfying.

Protein Smoothies

Smoothies are one of my favourite summer staples, especially when it’s too hot to cook. I’ve created a collection of my go-to smoothie recipes. — if you’d like a copy, send me an email and I’ll happily share it with you 🌿

Grill Once, Eat Twice

In the summer, I try to make things easier on myself whenever I can.

If the grill is on, I’ll often cook extra protein or vegetables so meals are easier the next day too.

Less cooking. More time outside.

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A Gentle Reminder for Summer

Healthy eating doesn’t have to look perfect in every season.

Summer routines naturally look different and that’s okay.

Sometimes supporting yourself well simply means making things simpler, not more complicated.

Quick meals. Fresh foods. Easy habits.

Because the goal isn’t spending more time in the kitchen.

It’s feeling good enough to fully enjoy the season while you’re in it.

With so much love,

Jodi