Celebrate Boldness: 5 Colorful Summer Recipes to Kick Off Leo Season

Originally posted July 23, 2024, updated for 2025 with new food-based ideas for creativity, connection, and confidence

Leo season (July 23–August 22) is bursting with sunshine, bold energy, and vibrant personality. Whether or not you follow the zodiac, this time of year invites us to embrace joy, creativity, and connection — all values we hold close at Little Chewz.

At its heart, Food-Based SEL is about using food experiences to build emotional awareness, identity, and relationships. What better time than Leo season to practice expressing ourselves through color, flavor, and shared moments around the table?

Whether you're celebrating a child with a big personality or just looking to brighten up your summer snacks, these five fun, refreshing recipes are full of personality — just like Leo.

1. Watermelon Popsicles

Nutritional Benefits: Watermelon is over 90% water, making it an excellent choice for hydration. Watermelon also contains antioxidants like lycopene, which can help protect cells from damage.

Ingredients:

4 cups of watermelon chunks

1/4 cup of lime juice

1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions: Blend the watermelon, lime juice, and honey until smooth. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for 4-6 hours.

Fun tip: Once frozen, dip the popsicles into yogurt or white chocolate and freeze again for a special treat.

Food-Based SEL Twist: Let kids decorate popsicle sticks with their “power word” for the day. Words like brave, kind, or bold, to inspire mindful eating and self-expression.

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2. Cucumber Dill Dip

Nutritional Benefits: Cucumbers are a good source of vitamin K, which is essential for bone health. They contain antioxidants which help fight inflammation.

Ingredients:

1 cucumber

1 cup of Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon of fresh dill

1 garlic clove

S

alt and pepper to taste

Instructions: Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess water. Mix with Greek yogurt, chopped dill, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Serve with veggie sticks.

Tip for Classrooms: Pair with a sensory check-in: “What does cool feel like today?” Great for calming activities or reset zones.

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3. Berry Smoothie

Nutritional Benefits: Berries are rich in vitamins C, support immune health, maintain healthy skin, and improve digestion.

Ingredients:

1 cup of mixed berries

1 banana

1 cup of almond milk

1 tablespoon of chia seeds

Instructions: Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Add an SEL spin: Ask kids which color in the smoothie they feel like today. Red for energized? Purple for thoughtful? Yellow for cheerful?

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4. Tomatoes and Mozzarella Skewers

Nutritional Benefits: Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins K, potassium, and folate. They contain lycopene, an antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Ingredients:

Cherry tomatoes

Fresh mozzarella balls

Fresh basil leaves

Balsamic glaze.

Instructions: Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto skewers. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

Optional addition: Let kids design their own “flavor flags”, naming their skewer creation and sharing what makes it uniquely theirs.

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5. Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

Nutritional Benefits: Bell peppers are high in vitamins A and C, which are important for vision and immune function.      

 

Ingredients:

Mini bell peppers

1 cup of cooked quinoa,

1/2 cup of black beans

1/2 cup of corn

1/4 cup of salsa

1/4 cup of shredded cheese

Instructions: Cut the tops off the mini bell peppers and remove seeds. Mix quinoa, black beans, corn, and salsa. Stuff the mixture into the peppers and top with shredded cheese.

Literacy Extension: Invite kids to write a recipe card or “super snack bio”, describing their creation like a character in a story!

Whether you're celebrating a Leo in your life or just tapping into the bold, radiant energy of summer, these recipes are a fun way to blend nourishment with self-expression. At Little Chewz, we believe food is more than just fuel, it’s a way to explore identity, connect with others, and celebrate the flavors of who we are.

Which recipe matches your mood today? Tag us @littlechewz or download our “Snack Mood Tracker” to keep the conversation going.