Low Carb Summer Entertaining

Summer is my absolute favourite time of the year! If you are like me, the Summer Solstice and hot summer days always inspire fun cooking and dining alfresco with friends and family. But it can also mean excess food and drink and a thicker waistline by labour day. So how do we have our cake and eat it too? I am a converted foodie who now believes it is possible to eat delicious lip smacking food without the guilt! By understanding and practicing a few simple health eating principles you can turn a dinner party into a healthy low carb food fest and any dish into a gourmet affair.

Here are a few principles I keep in mind when preparing meals for entertaining.

•Leave out anything white and fluffy. That includes bread and other starches like white rice and crackers.
•Replace the all-time favourite crunchy foods people love with healthy veggies from all colors of the rainbow instead.
•Experiment with your favourite ingredients and match them up to create original flavor profiles.
•Eliminate the sweet and salty by seasoning your foods with fresh herbs and spices.
Here is a culinary creation I made for a dinner party! And can you believe I was eating like this all while I was on a 10 Day Summer Slimdown Program? I was able to stay true to the program while still enjoying the warm summer days and entertaining my friends and family with some fun and creative creations. Drop me a comment when you have tried this recipe and let me know how your guests enjoyed it! If you are looking for ways to maintain or release weight during the summer months and want information on the 10 Day Summer Slimdown program I look forward to connecting with you!

Sara‘s Creamy Cucumber Salmon Crunch Appetizer

Serves 6

1 English Cucumber
1-1.5 grams of organic smoked salmon
¼ cup soft cream cheese
Fresh chives
Fresh Dill

Directions:
Slice one large English cucumber into 1 inch slices or 2.5 centimetres. Place 1 tsp on smoked salmon on each slice. Top with ½ of a teaspoon onto the smoked salmon and garnish with chopped dill and chives.
Bon appetit!