As things open up this summer and social gatherings become more commonplace (while remaining safe), it’s time to enjoy some much-needed family time. Origin Active Lifestyle Communities took the hard work out for you and shared our favourite summer recipes full of seasonal local produce.
Whether you’re BBQing with family or hosting a patio drink with friends, these three recipes will be all the craze this summer. Plus, their ingredients are full of benefits to promote healthy aging and active living!
We embrace the beauty of food at our communities. We believe in creating nutrient-dense meals and proudly support local farmers, using their fresh produce in our dishes.
Nothing screams Canadian summer more than fresh corn on the cob. Whether you’re looking for sweet or ornamental corn, BC farms have you covered.
In fact, corn is Canada’s third most valuable crop, and it’s a guilt-free seasonal treat. “A medium-sized ear of corn clocks in at only about 77 calories… And although it tastes sweet, an ear of corn has only about three grams of sugar, compared to an apple's 19. Bonus: Corn is a good source of protein and fiber, which keeps you feeling satiated (huffingtonpost.ca).”
Corn has also been shown to promote colon health, prevent eye diseases and certain cancers, and protect against cardiovascular disease.
This year we’re trying something different. A spin to the classic corn on the BBQ, we recommend trying The Food Network’s sweet corn on the cob dusted with cheese and herbs!
Starting in May, strawberries and rhubarb are in season in Canada. The perfect time to try out some easy to prepare crowd-pleasing desserts!
Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is a well-known immunity booster, as well as a powerful, fast-working antioxidant that can help with cancer prevention.
“Researchers at the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center in Toronto studied the benefits of strawberries on a cholesterol-lowering diet and concluded that adding them to the diet reduced oxidative damage, as well as blood lipids — both of which play a role in heart disease and diabetes (besthealthmag.ca).”
What’s amazing about rhubarb is its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that protect you from heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. While you’re enjoying this delicious Canadian-inspired dessert, you can rest easy knowing you’re doing great things for your health.
Check out the recipe from Food Bloggers of Canada to get started!
Last but not least, a refreshing side dish with mind-blowing flavour. If it’s too hot for a BBQ at the cabin, this dish might just be the best twist on a salad. Combining fresh mint, salty feta, and refreshing watermelon and cucumber, everybody will be falling in love with these zero-cook time skewers.
With age, our body’s ability to conserve water is reduced, and the feeling of thirst becomes less prominent. The risk of dehydration is even greater during the summer months when temperatures are high, and the sun is shining. Watermelon is the perfect snack to combat this, as it has a high water content to keep you full and hydrated.
Beyond hydration, watermelon is low in calories, and one cup of watermelon contains:
While used as an added flavour in this recipe, “mint’s health benefits range from improving brain function and digestive symptoms to… cold symptoms and even bad breath (healthline.com).” Click here to check out the watermelon cucumber feta mint skewers recipe from Weight Watchers Canada.
We believe an exceptional dish starts from the ground up. At Origin, we take nutrition and health very seriously, and our cuisine matches that. Our meals are made with nutrition, and our community members’ taste buds, in mind.