Ah, spring! The season of sunshine, fresh air, and realizing that maybe I overdid it on comfort food this winter. (Anyone else still recovering from “just one more” slice of pie? No? Just me? Cool.)

Now that the weather is warming up, I’m swapping out heavy casseroles for something a little fresher—because let’s be real, I can’t survive on mac & cheese alone (even though I’ve tried). So if you’re also ready to hit the “refresh” button on your meals, here are some easy, delicious ideas that won’t make you miss the mashed potatoes.

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1. Eat Like It’s Spring (Because It Is) 🌱

Spring brings an all-you-can-eat buffet of fresh produce, and I’m here for it! Here’s what’s in season and ready to brighten up your plate:

🥕 Veggies: Asparagus, peas, radishes, spinach (aka, the leafy stuff I tell myself I’ll eat more of).
🍓 Fruits: Strawberries, citrus, cherries (which somehow disappear the second I bring them home).
🌿 Fresh Herbs: Basil, mint, dill—aka, the fancy sprinkles that make food taste extra fresh.

💡 Quick Tip: If your fridge looks like a sad wasteland of ketchup and takeout containers, throw some herbs on anything and suddenly it’s “gourmet.”

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2. Quick & Easy Spring Meals (No Chef Skills Required) 🍽️

If meal planning feels overwhelming, let me introduce you to my favorite cooking method: keeping it ridiculously simple. Here are a few go-to meals that even I can’t mess up:

🥗 Spring Green Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

This is a fancy way of saying, “Throw some spinach, strawberries, goat cheese, and almonds in a bowl and act like you planned it.” Drizzle with a zesty orange vinaigrette and boom—instant spring vibes.

🍋 Lemon Herb Chicken with Roasted Asparagus

Marinate chicken in lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs, then bake or grill it. Bonus: roasting asparagus makes you feel super healthy—even if you eat it with a side of fries.

🌯 Greek-Inspired Veggie Wrap

Spread hummus on a wrap, add cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, feta, and a sprinkle of dill, roll it up, and pat yourself on the back for eating something green.

🍓 Berry Chia Pudding (a.k.a. Grown-Up Snack Pack)

Mix chia seeds, almond milk, and honey, let it sit overnight, and top with fresh berries. It’s like pudding, but healthier and slightly less guilt-inducing.

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3. Keep It Simple (Because Who Has Time for Complicated?) ⏳

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen (unless it’s for baking cookies, obviously). Here are some ways to eat fresh without losing your sanity:

✅ Pre-chop veggies so you’re not staring at a whole carrot at 6 PM, wondering if takeout is easier.
✅ Use sheet pan dinners—because throwing everything on one pan and calling it a meal is my kind of cooking.
✅ Make extra—because leftovers = less work tomorrow.
✅ Keep snacks handy—pre-wash fruit or portion out nuts so you don’t end up eating chips for dinner.

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4. Hydration: Because Coffee Doesn’t Count (Unfortunately) 💧

I know, I know… drinking more water is the answer to everything, but plain water? Snooze. Here are some ways to make hydration less boring:

🍋 Infused Water: Toss in lemon, mint, or cucumber and pretend you’re at a spa.
🍉 Fresh Smoothies: Blend seasonal fruits with almond milk and convince yourself it’s dessert.
☕ Iced Herbal Tea: A sneaky way to stay hydrated without drinking plain water.

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5. Ditch the Drive-Thru (Unless It’s for Emergency Fries) 🍟

Let’s be honest—sometimes drive-thru dinners happen. But for the days when I actually plan ahead, here’s how I keep quick meals on deck:

📅 Theme Your Meals: Taco Tuesday, Meatless Monday… it makes planning way easier.
📌 Stock Your Pantry: Keep quinoa, beans, and frozen veggies on hand for last-minute meals.
🥡 Plan for Leftovers: Cook once, eat twice—because why do extra work?

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Spring is the perfect time to hit reset, eat fresh, and pretend we’ve always been the type of people who love salads. (Just me?) Whether you’re adding more greens, drinking more water, or simply swapping one drive-thru run for a homemade meal, small changes add up!

💬 What’s your go-to spring meal? Drop it in the comments (bonus points if it’s easy)! 👇