Summer living.

Adjusting life to the seasons is lovely. Sometimes I have to think about it and make a bit of a plan or I will forget things. One summer change was to use the stove as little as possible and make the most of cold meats, salads and BBQs. Doing this alone saved $100 on our gas bill and also it makes for quick easy meals. If we swim in the evening it means afterwards I can have tea on a plate in minutes. This means being outside and enjoying the beautiful evenings is much easier to do. When we have a BBQ I add extra meat so there is cold meat for the next night. It has reduced the amount I need to cook so much!

Another summer bonus is evening picnics at the beach. Then a swim. Evenings are so beautiful, sunset at the beach! To do it I pack a little picnic and off we go. It's such a nice night out.

In both cases having ready made salads that keep well is a huge help. They help during the day too as if I am hungry I will pick at these and not think of other things! 

We love fresh crunchy lettuces and greens. A favourite salad is rocket, slices of pear and walnuts. But to have on hand or travel you need something that is not going to wilt away or brown. 

A favourite is a salsa like salad which I just make with chopped onion, parsley, a tin of corn, chopped capsicum, tomatoes, chopped cucumber... all cut up about 1cm squares. It is colourful, yum and doesn't wilt. I keep this for a couple of days and it goes with lots of things really nicely. A tin of tuna on top makes a lovely lunch.

Another is my Mums rice salad. I use a little less rice and more salad... it actually is better the second day and even better the third day. On a picnic I will pack it into little mason jars, one per person, and include forks.  It's really good.

It is about two cups cooked rice, a handful or more of cashew nuts, a tin of corn, chopped capsicum, sliced celery, sultanas, chopped onion, pineapple pieces... honestly make it as big or small as you like and use the ingredients you like. Mix a teaspoon of curry powder in about half a cup of italian dressing and pour over and stir through. Let it chill and stir again. The flavour kind of develops! It is great with a BBQ or cold meats. Knowing I will get three days out of it I make it in quite big quantities. Just adjust to suit your family.

The other reliable one is so far nameless... lets call it Healthy Chickpea Salad!

It's a can of chickpeas. Cubed feta cheese, chopped onion, tomato, capsicum, cucumber, parsley. Dressing if you like. It's a bit like greek salad minus the bits that wilt.

When life is rushed pre prepared salads are just so handy and a good influence on me!

If there is one in the fridge I won't even think about what to have, I will go to that. Having a protein in each salad makes it a meal and keeps you full. Now secret of secrets... adding croutons, crispy bacon, cheese, grilled chicken makes salads appealing even to non salad lovers.  Small additions turn a salad into a whole meal. 

I'm happy we have several months to go of living like this as it is so easy and healthy too. 

If you have a good salad that lasts please share as I would love some more!