As part of a paid sponsorship, I recently teamed up with the health and wellness experts at GOLO to develop a series of recipes inspired by their Metabolic meal plan.

Since it’s summertime, I wanted to focus on recipes that take advantage of the range of fresh seasonal ingredients that are more abundant this time of year, like tomatoes, red peppers, avocados, and cilantro. I also “leaned in” on nutritious proteins like shrimp and turkey.

The goal was to create fun and tasty recipes that families and friends can enjoy as part of their backyard cookout plans this summer. After considering several ideas, I locked in on three crowd pleasing and nutritious recipes that celebrate the tastes of the
summer season:

Grilled Southwest Turkey Burger Sliders:
Nothing says summer like grilling burgers in the backyard with friends and family. Brimming with flavorful ingredients like onion, cilantro, and cumin, and topped with fresh tomato, these Southwest Grilled Turkey Burgers are sure to impress.

Grilled Shrimp Tacos:
I don’t know about you, but Taco Tuesday is always a big winner at my house. Switch up your menu this summer with this recipe for Grilled Shrimp Tacos. The combination of fresh shrimp, mashed avocados, and succulent tomatoes served with a warm corn tortilla makes for some seriously good and fabulously fresh eats.

Red Pepper Deviled Eggs:
I’m always looking for a great side dish to bring to the cookout. Colorful and loaded with flavor, this recipe for Red Pepper Deviled eggs just screams summer to me. Packed with healthy protein and complimented by a red pepper punch, you’ll have as much fun making them with your family and friends as you will eating them.

Click here to see the recipes.
Remember, summer cooking is all about enjoying time with family and friends, and I hope you have fun making and eating these GOLO-inspired recipes.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

At The Creative Kitchen, we love nothing more than a food that is delicious, convenient, versatile and most importantly, good for your entire family! Vapza 7 Grains is already cooked and can be used in a wide variety of dishes, which makes it perfect for families who are looking to get a boost of nutrients from more meals throughout the week. This medley of nutrient-dense grains is thoughtfully grown in Brazil, steam cooked, and vacuum sealed in BPA-free plastic bag. This blend contains whole grain rice, red rice, white quinoa, black quinoa, red quinoa, flaxseed, and chia seeds. Vapza created this product with the busy, health-conscious parent in mind. Flaxseed and chia seeds can lower blood sugar levels and risk of heart disease. They’re both superfoods, and provide fiber, iron, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids (which are linked to even more health benefits such as improving eye health and risk factors for heart disease, fighting inflammation, and more!).

From the Mouth of a Kid:

“Burrito bowls are my favorite and we used this instead of rice. It was really yummy!”

From the Eyes of a Parent:

“Vapza 7 Grains appeases my rice-loving children with the whole grain and red rice while the other grains like quinoa, flaxseed, and chia provide protein, healthy omega-3s, and fiber. Squeezing those nutrients in can be tough, but products like this make it so much easier. Also, the fact that it’s ready-to-eat makes dinner time less stressful!”

Flavorful Features:

Vazpa has a variety of steam cooked options for your next meal!

• Pinto Beans
• Black Beans
• Quinoa Mix
• Brown Rice

The Icing on the Cake:

Rice and quinoa can be easily under cooked or overcooked, but Vapza 7 Grains takes out the guess work! Because this product is already steam cooked, it can be used in pinch without the worry. Substitute Vapza 7 Grains for rice in a quick stir fry or your favorite burrito bowl. And, Vapza 7 Grains is not only organic, but also vegan and kosher.

Time to Eat?!

Vazpa 7 Grains is the perfect addition to lunch or dinner!

Mix it Up!

Vapza 7 Grains can be served hot or cold. Try tossing this 7 grains mix on a salad instead of croutons. It’s a great way to sneak in extra plant protein and healthy omegas!

www.vapza.com.br/institucional/quem-somos/enus

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The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.