Memorial Day weekend is here and it’s basically the unofficial start of summer. If you’re in the Philadelphia area, it’s really starting to feel like summer with the 80 degree weather and clear skies. HELL YES. So much better than the month-long rain we’ve had.
I’ll be spending this weekend drinking cocktails and eating BBQ with family and friends by the pool. I even took off from work on Tuesday to continue the celebrations. I can barely wait.
Today however, I’m sharing two summer lunch essentials that you’ll be craving all season long: a peppery arugula salad and melon soda {without all the nasty chemicals}. I personally love this meal because it’s light, fresh and super quick to make. You can find all the ingredients needed at Whole Foods. And lucky for you, I’m giving away a $50 Whole Foods gift card at the end of this post!
Summer Lunch Essentials
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Arugula salad: arugula, extra virgin olive oil, shaved parm and {lots of} fresh lemon juice
- Melon soda: 365 melon peach Italian soda, ice and sprigs of fresh rosemary
See? Weren’t those the two easiest recipes ever?
As I’m typing this post, I’m craving that melon soda. Normally, I’m not a big soda drinker because of all the high fructose corn syrup {however, I’ll never turn down a Sprite}. And I’m DEFINITELY not touching anything diet that’s loaded with disgusting artificial sweeteners. NOPE.
This melon peach Italian soda is more like a fizzy juice than a soda, which I love. It contains a bunch of different fruit juices and is sweetened with cane sugar instead of HFCS. Bryan loved it too! He kept telling me how fresh it tasted, and I completely agree. I’m actually going to Whole Foods this weekend to pick up a few more bottles to keep on-hand for upcoming summer festivities. They have a bunch of great flavors that I can’t wait to try.
I’m so happy to be doing a Whole Foods giveaway, because it’s seriously one of my favorite places to shop. They literally have everything I need. Natural skincare products? Check! Fresh sourdough bread? Check! Guacamole that’s to die for? Check! Green juice? Check! I could go on and on. I have so many favorites.
Bryan and I enjoy going to Whole Foods on the weekends because they always have the best samples out, and who doesn’t love free food?! Every Saturday in May, they had a huge sampling event that was so successful that they’re extending it for another month. If you’re in Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, Maryland, DC, Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky make sure to stop in your local Whole Foods every Saturday in June from 12-4pm for a sampling event!
Ok, now what you’ve been waiting for… the giveaway!
How to Enter the Giveaway!
1. Comment on this Instagram photo telling me your favorite Whole Foods product.
2. Follow @nicoleraudonis on Instagram.
Extra Points: Comment on this blog post why you want to win this giveaway.
Good luck everyone!
+ must be in the US to enter | winner will be announced 6/10.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. I’ll be snapping away, so make sure you’re following along on Snapchat @nicoleraudonis.
Thank you Whole Foods for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.
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I would love to win the gift card to decorate the grill at my new place for Fathers Day.
I would love to win the giveaway because I don’t shop at Whole Foods nearly as much as I would like to because of the prices. Any little bit helps in contributing to healthy eating!
I want to win because we can only visit Whole Foods on special occasions. It would be really nice to get some delicious ingredients for the upcoming 4th of July.
I would buy some flowers to liven up my place and then summer produce like Texas peaches!
Hey! I would love to win because I have working to have a healthier food selection in our house. I’m pretty much a healthy eater, but my husband not so much.
I’d love to win this giveaway because we are finally getting a Whole Foods closer to our house, no need to drive almost an hour anymore! Grand opening coming soon!!
A Whole Foods opened up near me, and I love going there. I’d love a gift card to buy something I haven’t tried before!
I just started shopping more regularly at Whole Foods (Acme’s produce has been sadly disappointing), so I would love this gift card so I can stock up on my summer produce! 🙂
Julia
http://www.thephillyphotoblog.com/
love whole foods!!! <3 I would love to win, i love taking trips to WF and wandering the isles picking up my favorites but also trying new fun foodie items/ products, i like to call them my field trips! 🙂
I want to win just because whole food has been a lifesaver during my pregnancy! All of the healthy, organic options as well as their fresh hot and cold food bars make on the go for this girl soooo wonderful!