Boost Energy & Nutrition: Add More Plants to Your Summer Plate
3 minute read
Summer is here and with that comes an opportunity to refresh your routine. If you're craving meals that feel lighter, cleaner, and more energizing, you're not alone. As someone who prioritizes whole foods, quality nutrition, and a balanced lifestyle, I’m not here to tell you to cut anything out but to encourage you to level up your plate. Because one of the most impactful ways to support your energy, digestion, recovery, and performance—especially in the warmer months—is by adding more plants to your plate.
Don’t Ditch Meat—Just Add More Color
Plant-forward eating doesn’t require a shift away from traditional animal proteins. It simply means embracing a more colorful, nutrient-dense approach to your meals. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, and legumes enhance your plate with fiber, hydration, volume, and powerful micronutrients.
Grilled steak? Serve it over arugula, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes with a chimichurri made from fresh herbs. The meat stays—your plate just gets an upgrade.
Grow It, Eat It: The Garden Advantage
There’s no better time than spring to get hands-on with your food. Gardening—even on a small scale—connects you to the seasons and naturally encourages more plant-based eating. Whether you're harvesting lettuce from your backyard or snipping basil from a kitchen pot, when you grow your food, you're far more likely to eat it.
It's also a form of low-impact movement, a mindful practice, and a reminder that health isn’t just about what’s on your plate, but how it got there.
Meal Prep with Plants in Mind
You already know the power of meal prep for proteins—apply the same principle to plants. Batch-roast seasonal vegetables. Pre-wash your greens. Make a herb-forward dressing or sauce that brings your meals to life.
With a few intentional steps, you’ll always have nutrient-dense, flavorful components ready to go—making plant-forward eating feel seamless, not stressful.
Let Plants Lead One Meal a Day
An easy way to shift your nutrition without overthinking it? Prioritize plants for just one meal a day.
Breakfast: A Spring Green Smoothie with greens, berries, and protein.
Lunch: A Fava Bean & Quinoa Power Bowl layered with radishes, fragrant parsley, and a zesty lemon dressing.
Dinner: Pan-Seared Salmon with Fennel & Citrus Salsa, a plate of crispy, golden-brown salmon paired with a zesty salsa made from fresh oranges, fennel, and olive oil
You can find all of these recipes here.
Cook with the Season
Seasonal eating is one of the simplest, most effective ways to enjoy more plants. That’s the philosophy behind my cookbook, Spring Renewal—a collection of vibrant, whole-food recipes built around the flavors of spring and early summer.
From energizing breakfasts to satisfying dinners, it’s designed for real people who want to feel great, eat clean, and stay grounded in whole foods—without sacrificing protein or flavor.
You don’t need to overhaul your diet to feel better this summer, you just need to make space for more of what fuels you. Add more color. Grow something fresh. Build meals that nourish your body and support your goals.
This is about progress, not perfection—and a more energized, plant-powered season is just a plate away.
👉 Get inspired: Add Spring Renewal to your cookbook collection and start your summer strong.