When the temperatures rise, our appetites fade for those heavy fall and winter standbys. Foods like macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes cause us to shout – not so much! Instead, we crave something light, cool and refreshing. So the summer is a perfect time to explore the wide variety of delicious fruits and vegetables that are plentiful, both as sides and main events.

One great way is to visit your local farmer’s markets. They have an abundance of fresh produce available, often times organic. One of my favorites is Toasted Walnut Salad with Green Apples and Gorgonzola Cheese. Simple to make, with a little bite of Gorganzola cheese and lots of crunch with the toasted walnuts. If you’re a tomato lover, try an Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad. Or another great way to beat the heat is a refreshing fruit salad. Try Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey Vanilla Yogurt, chock full of fresh blueberries, raspberries and strawberries and topped off with creamy, honey-flavored yogurt. All of these are a light and healthful way to beat the heat this summer.