As the weather starts warming up, many people tend to shift their diets just a bit to incorporate lighter meals filled with fresh fruits and veggies. Whipping up a cool, refreshing smoothie or salad makes for a great meal on a spring or summer day because they are quick to make and since you don’t have to use the oven or grill, you’ll stay nice and cool while preparing your meal! If you’re in need of a few new ides for fresh fruit smoothies and salads, check out some of these great recipes we’ve recently come across. This mango-peach smoothie includes a little bit of orange juice and vanilla soy milk, creating a creamy, sweet treat.     A Kiwi Sensation smoothie made with kiwi, mango, and pineapple can also be made with spinach to get a little bit of your daily dose of veggies in! When it comes to salads, you can stick to traditional fruit salad recipes or add an extra splash of flavor and texture to a vegetable-based salad. Either way, you’ll have a delicious dish that is also nutritious.   If you’re craving for a taste of your favorite island paradise, this tropical fruit …

      We’re all about traditions here at Hickory Farms. After all, we’ve been an American tradition for over half a century!  But we also love taking traditions and adding fresh flairs to personalize them and make them even more special. So when honoring troops with family and friends this Memorial Day, why not skip the same-old routine, and try to spice it up? A Memorial Day cookout doesn’t have to be the same every year, instead of the regular routes, try one of these creative alternatives. Instead of only relying on flags and red, white and blue décor… Incorporate foods and dishes in your Memorial Day menu that show your patriotism. You can also honor a soldier currently overseas by serving up his or her favorite foods.  Instead of sticking to only hamburgers and hotdogs… Try throwing unique foods on the grill like salad and fruit. This grilled apple salad from Southern Living looks delicious. And in case you missed it, we recently wrote a post on yummy grilled fruit desserts – be sure to check it out! Instead of an ordinary cooler… Try serving drinks in an unexpected way. We love this creative DIY watermelon cocktail keg …

        Hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, veggies and … fruit? That’s right! A delicious grilled fruit dessert can elevate a casual cookout into a chic, gourmet grill out. These desserts are not only easy and fun to make but can also be made to combine creative flavors for a uniquely fresh fruit dessert that is sure to wow family and friends – and taste buds! There are tons of yummy grilled fruit dessert recipes out there. Keep it as simple as sliced apples grilled with mint. Or, get creative (and ambitious) and try something spectacular like this apple pie breakfast stack made with grilled apple slices! One grilled apple recipe we thought sounded particularly good was this Baked Apples on the Grill recipe from Taste of Home. All you do is fill cored apples with some raisins, flaked coconut, packed brown sugar, and a little cinnamon. Then, throw them on heavy-duty foil, wrapping over the top and sealing tightly. Grill the apples, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are tender. Pears and mangoes are great with grill marks, too! We love the sound of the simple yet succulent Grilled Bartlett …