Preparing meals is very inspired with flavorful summer fruits and vegetables in abundance. I notice how remarkably healthy people look this time of year. We invariably trim down, our skin has new color and tautness, and our hair and nails grow faster.

My fiance David and I had appointments with holistic doctor Jakob Jaggy yesterday and were both inspired to kick our eating regimes up a notch. Dr. Jaggy’s approach is different from other doctors I’ve been to and I appreciate the way he thoroughly questions his patients and treats the symptoms, naturally of course, rather than with pharmaceuticals.

As a result of our visit I’m cutting down on sugar and caffeine, eating more protein at breakfast; and eater smaller dinners and larger breakfasts.

For me, the best part of summer eating isn’t barbecue. It’s salad.

Here are some wonderful summer salad combinations I have been enjoying for years that are full of anti-oxidants and nutrients:

Arugula salad with peaches, chevre, white wine vinegar and olive oil

Salad of romaine lettuce with Pecorino cheese, avocado, blueberries, lemon juice and olive oil

Mixed greens with strawberries, toasted walnuts, honey, balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Arugula salad with figs, warm goat cheese, toasted pecans, balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Spinach salad with cucumber, shrimp, feta cheese, dried thyme, basil, oregano and kalamata olives

Romaine with grapefruit sections, avocado, chevre white wine vinegar and olive oil

Mixed greens with cherries, warmed brie, toasted pecans, balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Spinach salad with grilled chicken, sun dried tomatoes, avocado, toasted walnuts and cumin and lime juice vinaigrette



Besides great produce choices, summer weather offers the best activities for super beauty and health. Hiking, tennis, bicycling, golf, swimming, outdoor Yoga, water skiing and paddle boarding are such fun activities but more than that they bring the glow of health to your skin and trim inches off your waist.

Skin care consists of more than just sunscreen, water, vitamins, and working up a good sweat which gets blood circulating. My best beauty secret is one I learned from an interview with Christie Brinkley: exfoliation.  Exfoliation is key in getting rid of the dead skin cells so they can turn over faster. For exfoliation I love Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Facial Scrub and Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Peel Full Strength. I used to shop at department stores for my skin care products. Now that I know better, I only purchase at natural food stores such as Whole Foods.