As we head into Memorial Day weekend — the unofficial start to summer ☀️ — I want to take a moment to honor what this holiday is really about. Memorial Day is a time to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, allowing us to enjoy the freedoms we have today. 🇺🇸
Whether you’re heading to a barbecue, enjoying the great outdoors, or staying cozy inside (chilly rain days here in the northeast!), here are three seasonal picks to help you feel nourished and inspired.
Here we go…
1. Big Batch Veggie-Packed Healthy Orzo Salad
If you’re looking for a light, fresh, and crowd-pleasing dish to enjoy this weekend (or all summer long), this is one of my go-to favorites. This healthy orzo salad is loaded with vibrant vegetables, legumes, and colorful antioxidants — and tossed in a simple, homemade vinaigrette made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, lemon and spices. No seed oils, no heaviness, just fresh flavors.
It’s a big batch recipe, perfect for sharing at a barbecue, picnic, or family get-together — or for making once and enjoying throughout the week. Plus, it’s totally customizable. I typically include things like bell peppers, zucchini, shredded carrots, shredded cabbage, black beans, chickpeas, and feta, but you can easily use up whatever veggies you’ve got in your fridge.
This salad is hearty enough to serve as a main dish but also works beautifully as a colorful side. It’s nourishing, flavorful, and a great way to sneak more veggies onto the plate in a delicious way.
2. Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe
This Mexican Street Corn Salad is one of those dishes that disappears fast whenever I bring it to a BBQ or summer get-together. Inspired by the beloved Mexican street corn (aka elote), this salad version takes all the bold, creamy, zesty flavors of grilled corn slathered in sauce and cheese, and turns it into a scoopable, sharable side dish. Think tender corn kernels tossed with a tangy, creamy dressing, fresh lime, chili spices, and crumbled cheese — it’s rich, flavorful, and full of vibrant texture in every bite.
I love that it’s easy to make ahead and transport, making it a perfect take-along dish for Memorial Day weekend or any summer celebration. It pairs well with just about everything, and it always brings a little fiesta to the table.
Here’s how I’ve been making it, plus a few ways to serve it up — as a side, a taco topping, or even over greens for a smoky salad twist.
🌽 Find the recipe here.
3. Why You Should Be Growing Calendula 🌼
If you’re planting your garden this weekend (or even just a pot on your patio), don’t sleep on calendula! This sunny, low-maintenance flower is not only gorgeous, but it’s packed with healing benefits for the skin. Have you ever noticed it as an ingredient in some of your favorite skincare products? From wound healing to diaper rash to acne and even natural SPF support, calendula is a powerful plant ally. Plant it now to enjoy in the summer and fall!
🌼 Read more about its benefits in my blog post here.
🌱 Find calendula seeds to purchase here.
Deals from Favorite Partners:
AirDoctor 4000 – Pre-order the new AD4000 and get $400 off!
Avocado Mattress: Memorial Day Sale: Up to 20% off mattresses.
Naturepedic: Memorial Day Sale: 20% off mattresses & bedding.
As always, thank you so much for being here. I hope you have a joy filled Memorial Day weekend. I’m so excited to welcome summer with you! 💛
Until next time,
P.S. – Curious about the transformative health coaching education I received from IIN? Check out their full suite of courses here.
Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and brands that I personally use, love, and trust. Your support is sincerely appreciated!
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