Does the summer heat have you in a funk? If so, try these refreshing, simple meal ideas to keep you charged and keep your weight loss steady.

Beat the Heat! Turn off the oven and turn on your slow-cooker.

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken:

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 tsp chicken bouillon granules
• 2 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup water
• 3 tbsp lemon juice or the juice from ½ a lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions: 

1. In a bowl, mix the oregano, salt and pepper.  Rub the mixture onto the chicken. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken in butter for 3 minutes on each side.  Place chicken in slow-cooker.
2. In the same skillet mix the water, lemon juice, garlic and bouillon. Bring the mixture to a boil and then pour over the chicken in the slow-cooker.
3. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours.  Add the parsley to the slow-cooker 15 minutes before the end of the cook time.

Serves 6

Per Serving: 193 calories, 1 g carbohydrate, 7 g fat, 360 mg sodium, and 30 grams of protein.

Fire and Ice Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 5 large tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 medium red onion, sliced thinly in rings
• ¾ cup white vinegar
• 6 tbsp sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tbsp mustard seed
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 large cucumber, sliced

Directions:

1. In large bowl combine the tomatoes and onion; set aside.
2. In a small sauce pan, combine vinegar, sugar, water, mustard seed and cayenne.  Bring to a boil; let boil for 1 minute.
3. Pour mixture over tomatoes and onion; toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Add cucumber; toss to coat. Refrigerate overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Serves 8

Per Serving: 72 calories, 1 g fat, 17 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein, 15 mg sodium.

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