There is nothing better than to enjoy the warm summer weather outside on the patio with friends.

Well, maybe if you had a swimming pool in the yard that would step it up a notch on those hot days that we have! (Ahem.. hot days = +24 for us Yukoners).

I remember when I was a kid the only people that I knew up North here who had a swimming pool were our neighbours/family friends who owned the animal game farm (now called the Wildlife Preserve). They had an awesome little swimming pool!

They would have bottle fed mountain goats running around the yard, checking out the pool and saying hello. They even had a rescued beaver by the name of Chippy who had his own mini pool at one point.

I gotta say I am glad I grew up as a “farm kid”. It’s not everyday that you get to experience that kind of stuff or get to work as a mountain goat baby sitter extraordinaire as one of your summer jobs. (Best job!).

Nowadays I am not babysitting mountain goats or feeding the elk with my parents on our farm. Instead I live in town and have a deck + patio in which I like to have friends over occasionally for dinners, bevies and snacks! ?

Which brings me to one of my fave snacks that I have been eating all summer!

If you want to go number two like a champion, get a wonderful dose of plant fibre, antioxidants, enzymes and tons of minerals and vitamins, then give this raw veggie wraps + almond dip recipe a try!

Raw Veggies:

Load up on enzyme rich raw vegetables in the summer! Raw foods are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals as well as live enzymes which help us to digest our food. Raw vegetables are alkaline forming which supports reduction in inflammation and our health. (Increase raw foods gradually into your diet as they can cause bloating/gas if you add too much too quickly).

Fibre:

Veggies are FULL of deliciously healthy fibre. Think of fibre as a broom that cleans out your intestinal tract. Without it, things can build up, and digested food and junk can stay in our colon way too long. Fibre helps to form bulk for bowel movements and keeps the engine running strong + it also helps to prevent colon cancer!

Energizing & Light:

Raw foods can leave you feeling energized and light without the heavy feeling you may notice after consuming heavier harder to digest foods ex: (grains, meat, dairy products). By eating fibre rich veggies, you will NOT get a huge energy crash as you may experience with sugary foods or imbalanced snacks.

 

Raw veggie wraps & almond butter dip
Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced
  2. 1 carrot, grated or cut in matchsticks
  3. 1 cucumber, cut in matchsticks
  4. 1 avocado, peeled and sliced
  5. 10 snow peas, thinly sliced
  6. 1 package of rice paper wraps;
Almond Dip
  1. 1/4 cup almond butter
  2. 1-2 clove garlic, sliced or minced
  3. 1-2 tsp grated fresh ginger
  4. 1 tsp wheat – free tamari sauce
  5. 1/2 cup water depending on desired consistency
  6. Add more ginger/garlic depending on what you like!
Instructions
  1. Prepare vegetables and mix in a large bowl. Prepare rice paper by dipping each one into warm water. Prepare almond dip using a blender, food processor or stir it up in a small bowl.
  2. Wrap up veggies and dip em. Enjoy!
Adapted from Joyous Health

I hope you try out this recipe – it’s unbelievably tasty and easy to make! ?

And let me know – what is your favourite thing you like to do during the summer?

Until next time,

Here’s to summer vibes and tasty snacks,

Jill Kayxo-4