Quick and healthy dinner ideas aren't always easy to come by. But one of the best things about summer is that making fast, healthy dinners gets a whole lot easier. From fresh produce like tomatoes, watermelon, greens, and summer squash to cookout classics like burgers and corn, summer presents a host of mouth-watering ingredients that need only a few minutes of preparation and cooking, or none at all. That gives you more time to go for a sunset stroll or sit on the porch drinking shandies. Below the jump, 8 of our favorite quick summer meals that you can have ready to go in 20 minutes or less!
Make dinner fun by laying out a spread of fun dippables. Start with a couple of proteins like hummus, white bean dip, or chèvre, then add toasted pita triangles and lots of healthy veggies like sweet peppers, summer squash, or carrots sticks. Kids will love the break from routine, and you'll love that you don't need to turn on the oven!
Make Healthy Pinto Bean Dip
Ingredients:
1 can
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8 Summer Dinners You Can Make in Under 20 Minutes
By Babble.com | Shine Food – Fri, Jun 15, 2012 1:28 PM EDT7 Dads that Deserve to Win Father of the Year
By Babble.com | Parenting – Fri, Jun 15, 2012 12:44 PM EDT
Read More »from 7 Dads that Deserve to Win Father of the YearWho gets your vote for Father of the Year?Happy Father's Day Weekend! And in honor of this extra-special time for fathers, it's time to think about all the great dads we know (or, okay, have seen in the media) and pick some of the best dads ever! Of course, you can feel free to reserve the top spot for your own awesome father, but nevertheless, let's take a look at 7 rockin' dads who deserve to win Father of the Year:
Dick Hoyt1. Dick Hoyt Is The Greatest
Dick Hoyt is, without a doubt, the greatest dad ever. You can flip through the rest of the dads on this list, and while they've all done great (or silly) things to be on this list, none compare to what Dick has done.
Dick's son Rick had the umbilical cord tangled around his neck at birth leaving him brain damaged. Doctors said to institutionalize the boy, he would be a vegetable. That didn't happen.
Dick has taken Rick on 85 marathons. The pair have completed 8 Ironman Triathlons. They've gone cross country skiing, mountain climbing, and the road across the USA on a bike. You need5 Superfoods Everyone Needs for Healthy Skin
By Babble.com | Beauty on Shine – Fri, Jun 15, 2012 12:35 PM EDT
Read More »from 5 Superfoods Everyone Needs for Healthy SkinSuperfoodsYou can slather on gobs of skin cream on a daily basis and hope for the best, but if you aren't eating right, your skin will probably suffer the consequences. (I know, I know. Why can't brownie fudge sundaes be the key to looking young forever? GAHHHH.) Let's eat our way to healthy skin, shall we? Here are some of the very best foods for keeping your skin as healthy and radiant as possible.
CarrotsCarrots
Carrots are full of carotenoids, which are beneficial to health and can protect the skin from sun damage. (But be careful! Too many could alter the color of your skin.)
Related: 25 beauty products you already have in your kitchenSpinachSpinach
Spinach is loaded with lutein, which keeps your eyes healthy and sparkling.BlueberriesBlueberries
Blueberries are considered by many experts to be the highest food source of antioxidants, which target free radicals that can wreak havoc on skin cells.
Related: 20 things ALL women do but hate to admit
BeansBeans
Beans are full of antioxidants. Antioxidants are great
Read More »from 9 Feather-light Summer Dresses Under $50Keep cool and light in these pretty (and affordable) summer dresses!Summer weather is in full swing, and that means it's time for flowy dresses! Make sure your closet is ready when the heat index starts going up with these pretty options, so all you have to worry about is which popsicle flavor you want. And here's the best part: They're all less than $50.
Check out these 9 feather-light picks!River Island ChelseaRiver Island Chelsea Girl Lace Dress
Laces on laces. Can't get enough of it! It has been trending all year and I see more people transitioning their laced maxis for laced minis. This River Island dress sits at the perfect, appropriate length.
Buy it here for $43.49StripesStrapless Dress in Stripes
Beach-side, pool-side, sidewalk-side -- this dress is practical and pretty for the effortlessly chic fashionista. Make a nautical impression with blue and white accessories. Oh, and wouldn't that color combination be perfect for July 4th?
Buy it here for $31.31
Related: 25 sexy swimsuits under $100Polka dotsPolka Dotted Spotted Print
Following classic stripes is the classic polka7 Things Every Mom Can Learn from Dads
As a mom to 6-month-old twins, I've developed a certain way of doing things when it comes to parenting. It's hard for me not to cringe when dad steps in and takes over because let's face it, he doesn't know that the teeny-tiny washcloths get stacked on the right side of the drawer under the crib, or that there's a special pad that protects the pad that goes on the changing table.
But what I've come to realize is that when I refrain from correcting my husband or showing him how to do things my way, he starts to feel even more confident handling the babies - and I get some much-needed help! The bonus is that when we let dads be dads, we can actually learn something from them.
Here's what I've learned from watching my husband and other dads - let me know if you agree!
They don't read tons of parenting books
1. They don't read tons of parenting books
Read More »from 7 Things Every Mom Can Learn from a Dad
When the little one isn't sleeping enough, mom scours different websites, checks out online chat rooms, and takes out books from the library espousing differentSingle Mom Confessions: 4 Things that Scare Me About Dating
By Babble.com | Love + Sex – Fri, Jun 15, 2012 10:22 AM EDT
Read More »from Single Mom Confessions: 4 Things that Scare Me About Dating4 Things That Scare Me About Dating as a Single MotherI'm a single mom and until someone professes their love for me and we have a this-is-real-let's-be-together-talk, I am calling myself single. I'm not saying someone needs to "put a ring on it" for me to let my guard down, but I am admitting my guard is bulletproof. Dating as a single mom is scary. I've dated over the years, but this is the first time in nearly five years that I've actually felt ready to date, have embraced dating, and have well, wanted to date and connect with someone. Here are four things that freak me out about hitting the dating scene. *Warning: Shy readers may want to look away. Remember, I was dubbed a single-pregnant-Carrie Bradshaw by Glamour.com … and Carrie wrote about sex a lot ...
8 Ways to Decorate ... with BurlapMaybe the fact that I've been living in a farmhouse for the past year and a half explains why I have a love for all things burlap. But no. I've loved the charming, rough weave of this material ever since I can remember! Burlap is such an affordable and versatile fabric; you can do just about anything with it. Check out these 8 ways to decorate with burlap below:
Big Burlap Floor Pillow1. Big Burlap Floor Pillow
A big burlap floor pillow sure adds some texture and a nice, muted color to this white room.
Get this floor pillow
Related: 20 DIY headboards you won't find at Pottery BarnBurlap Bedskirt
2. Burlap Bedskirt?
Who would have ever thought of using burlap for a bedskirt? But I kind of love it!
Get this bedskirtBurlap Bunting3. Burlap Bunting
Bring the burlap back to its natural, outdoor location with this whimsical heart bunting. It's a great way to add some style to your backyard without risking rain on any delicate fabrics.
Get this bunting
Related: 8 simple ways ANYONE can fengRead More »from 8 Ways to Decorate ... With BurlapHappy Flag Day: 10 Adorable Pictures of Patriotic Pets
By Babble.com | Pets – Thu, Jun 14, 2012 4:16 PM EDT
Read More »from Happy Flag Day: 10 Adorable Pictures of Patriotic PetsHappy Flag Day!Happy Flag Day! And really, what better way to celebrate America than putting funny hats on animals? I can't say I recommend trying all of these at home; I'm pretty sure my cat would try to scratch my eyeballs out if I attempted to put a little hat on him.
Check these 10 adorable pictures of pets being patriotic:Patriotic like Rambo1. Patriotic Like Rambo
This cat is very clearly patriotic and adores Flag Day. It's also very clear that he's going to kill the photographer in about 15 seconds.
Related: 10 funny pictures of dogs acting like peopleShooting stars2. Shooting Stars
This is just cute overload -- these guys actually look like they're enjoying this look.Happy dog, Happy Flag Day3. Happy Dog, Happy Flag Day
Also might be about to break into "Sweet Adeline."
Related: 10 must-have fashions for your petGarden cadet4. Garden Cadet
Cutest little soldier -- ever.Proud to be an American5. Proud to Be an American
It's amazing how this dog makes this whole look seem dignified.
Related: 19 ridiculous photos of pets in swimsuitsBandana pig6. Bandana Pig
This piggy looks ready forThe Dirty Truth About How I Clean HouseI'm going to drop a huge confession on you right now - are you ready? I HATE CLEANING! I know there aren't a whole lot of people who love it, but for me it's a full-on hate relationship. My house isn't a waste zone, but it's far from perfect. I swear, our laundry room is trying to kill me, and keeping up with having the kids home all the time, my husband working 45+ hours a week, and me now doing 35 hours a week at home is quite the juggling act.
I'll admit that I have/will come up with any excuse not to clean - I hate it so much. I remember back to my chores as a child... There were some tricks we (my siblings and I) had up our sleeve that made cleaning go a bit faster. I'd be lying if I said I never did some of these even now, because I totally do. Here are 6 of my best "housecleaning" tips. (These images all come from http://pleated-jeans.com.)
The Counters 1. The Counters
Because no one will be looking under there, right?
Dusting 2. Dusting
Just having to put everything back in its place is Read More »from The Dirty Truth About How I Clean House5 Healthy Foods You Should Always Have in Your Pantry
By Babble.com | Shine Food – Thu, Jun 14, 2012 3:07 PM EDTI love spending time in the kitchen and most often, cooking is a pleasure, rather than a chore. But there are days when time is limited, and reverting to convenience foods is just too - well, convenient. Fortunately, convenience and health aren't mutually exclusive; beyond the frozen dinners and packaged mixes there are real, whole, nutritious foods streamlined to save us time, without costing us our health. Here are 5 of the most convenient, healthy foods everyone should have in their pantry!
Read More »from 5 Healthy Foods You Should Always Have in Your PantryCanned Chickpeas and Other Beans1. Canned Chickpeas and Other Beans
A can of chickpeas costs about a dollar, and they're loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A quick rinse and they're ready to go in these barbecue cranberry chickpea wraps.
Make BBQ chickpea cranberry wraps
Related: The 25 healthiest foods for under $1
2. Canned TomatoesCanned Tomatoes
Having good-quality canned tomatoes at the ready in your pantry means a fast sauce from scratch - in the same time it takes to cook your pasta! Try this classic turkey
