Summer is officially here and with it comes beach parties, pool parties, picnics and fun summer, social gatherings.

We would like to highlight a few great natural and organic recipes that will help you and your family stay healthy while enjoying the fun summer sun.

Chicken Vegetable Coucous Salad

1 1/2 cup couscous
1 grilled chicken breast, diced

1 green pepper, washed and cut in strips
1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into matchstick shapes
1 celery stalk, washed and sliced
Dressing: 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil, juice from 1 lemon, salt, pepper, and 1 Tbs chopped fresh mint leaves
Garnish: radish, washed and sliced

Prepare couscous as per packet instructions. Place all ingredients in a salad bowl. Mix all ingredients for the dressing and shake to blend well. Pour over the salad and garnish with the sliced radishes.

TP Pasta Salad (Tomatoes & Peas)

1/3 cup white-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried,
crumbled
1 large garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon
salt
1/2 cup olive oil
1 pound medium pasta shells
1/2 pound shelled fresh or frozen peas (about 1 1/2 cups), boiled until
tender and drained
2 pints red or yellow pear tomatoes or cherry tomatoes or a
combination, halved
1/2 cup shredded fresh basil leaves

In a large bowl whisk together the vinegar, the water, the salt, the sugar, the tarragon, the garlic paste, and pepper to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified. In a kettle of salted boiling water cook the pasta until it is tender, in a colander rinse it well, and drain it. In the bowl toss the pasta with the dressing, add the peas, the tomatoes, and the basil, and toss the salad well.