My Go-To Summer Meal

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I've never really had a favorite season, per say; in fact, I often think my favorite season is the season I'm in. In reflecting, I find myself the most reminiscent of summertime memories, especially those from my childhood. As a child, my family frequented our neighborhood restaurants, and I always tried to persuade my parents to choose La Paz. I loved quesadillas then, and I love trying everything now—especially a good spicy margarita!

I love recreating these recipes all summer long.  This, my friends, is a fail-proof summertime Mexican Fiesta.

Summer Meal Recipes

Chicken Fajita Skillet [Gluten-Free, Paleo, Dairy Free]

Protein

  • 1 1b boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

Produce

  • 1 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
  • 1 Onion, peeled
  • 5 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 Jalapeño, diced
  • Juice of 2 Limes
  • 1 Bell Pepper, Chopped
  • 1 Cup of Corn
  • 2 Zucchini, diced

Herbs & Spices

  • 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Cumin

Fats

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil EVOO

Preparation

  • Preheat your large deep skillet on medium heat and add the EVOO to the pan.  Add your onion, add your garlic, and saute until the onion softens and the consistency looks a bit soupy. Add your bell pepper, add your zucchini, add salt, pepper, and cumin, and allow the vegetables to saute in the herbs and spices for 5 minutes.
  • If your skillet is large enough you can cook the chicken in the same skillet; otherwise, preheat another skillet and cook the chicken on medium heat with EVOO, Salt, and Pepper until the Chicken can be cut through with no remaining pink.
  • Add corn, add beans, add seasoning (my favorite is Mexican Fiesta) to the vegetable mixture and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  •  I like to use my Vitamix; however, it is important to gently combine the ingredients.  If you are using a food processor or blender, pulse a couple of times only.  If you over-process the mixture,  you will end up with a purée consistency rather than a salsa consistency. 
  • Top with cilantro

Optional Additions/Notes

  • Microwave your lime for 15-20 seconds to get an easier squeeze and more juice
  • Top with Goat or Feta Cheese
  • Add Guacamole or Avocado to top off your skillet
  • Add additional Hot Sauce, I love Sriracha
  • Top with Whole30 Mango Salsa, or the Salsa of your choice

Meal Ideas

  • Serve with GF Lime Chips and Guacamole or Salsa
  • Make a batch of my favorite Spicy Margaritas to enjoy alongside your skillet
  • Share your ideas with me below or on Instagram @carlygraceyoga

Skinny Jalapeno Margarita [Gluten-Free, Paleo, Dairy Free]

Produce

  • Limes, 1 bag
  • Jalapeno, 2

Liquor

  • Don Julio
  • Patron Orange

Sugar

  • Stevia

Preparation

  • Mix 2 ounces of fresh squeezed Lime, 2 ounces of Don Julio, and 1/2 ounce of Orange Patron with a few small pieces of diced jalapeno 
  • Add combination to ice and shake vigorously, pour over ice

Notes

  • Microwave your lime for 15-20 seconds to get an easier squeeze and more juice
  • The mixture above yields 1 Margarita; keep the proportions to make additional margaritas or an entire batch
  • Add Salt to the rim of your glass, optional

Meal Ideas

Whole30 Mango Salsa [Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Dairy Free]

Salsa Ingredients:

Produce

  • 1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
  • 1 Mango, peeled
  • 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 Jalapeño, diced
  • Juice of 1 Lime
  • 1 Can of Organic Diced Tomatoes, no salt or sugar added

Herbs & Spices

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Preparation

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and stir to combine.
  •  I like to use my Vitamix; however, it is important to gently combine the ingredients.  If you are using a food processor or blender, pulse a couple of times only.  If you over-process the mixture,  you will end up with a purée consistency rather than a salsa consistency. 

Notes

  • Microwave your lime for 15-20 seconds to get an easier squeeze and more juice

Meal Ideas

  • Serve alongside scrambled eggs with sliced avocado
  • Use as a dip  with crudités
  • Share your ideas with me below or on Instagram @carlygraceyoga

 

 

 

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Carly Grace Milyo

Born in New York City,  Carly Grace grew up in Atlanta and graduated from The Westminster Schools.  Carly received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Virginia Tech in 2012. During her college career, Carly began practicing yoga as an escape from her intense ACC Cheerleading training. The rigor and requirements Carly upheld as an ACC athlete combined with the social expectations and action packed schedule expected of an Alpha Phi left Carly depleted both physically and mentally.  Before Carly found yoga, she used running, partying with friends, and restricting her diet to maintain a sense of control in her life. It was Carly's true desire to find more purposeful and authentic friendships and to invest her time in cultivating her greater well-being and spirituality that lead her to yoga. 

The creativity and physical challenge of yoga captivated and inspired Carly. Yoga was the first thing Carly practiced where the perfect-ten mentality was not required; in fact, perfection is the antithesis of yoga principles.  After hanging up her poms poms and retiring from her ACC Cheerleading career, Carly quickly found herself  invested in the In Balance Yoga Community in Blacksburg, VA.  With encouragement and affirmation from Studio Owner, Becky Crigger, Carly set out for New York City to train with Dana Trixie Flynn at Laughing Lotus Love Skool.

Yoga Alliance 200 E-RYT, Carly has studied and practiced with many influencers and teachers all over the United States.  Carly currently teaches Thunderbolt Power Yoga®;  a powerful alignment based vinyasa flow inspired by some of her greatest influencers including, Dana Trixie Flynn and Baron Baptiste.  Carly infuses creative ideas and sequencing into her classes. Her purpose as a teacher is to inspire people to move like themselves. Carly is committed to helping students be audaciously playful in both their practice and in their lives. 

You can catch Carly Grace teaching at her studio Thunderbolt Power Yoga, at off-site events such as the infamous FIT Yoga Series with Carly Grace at W Atl Buckhead, at music festivals, corporate conferences, and more!  Be sure to look out for Carly's quarterly Boombox Power Yoga® Class offered alongside a live DJ, accompanied by her pink boombox, and enhanced with a 16 inch disco ball. 

In the mean time, you can follow her adventures on instagram (@yoga__barbie) or give her a wave when you see her drive by in her infamous pink jeep!