When the sun is sweltering, the last thing you want to do is slave over a hot stove. Meet your new best friend: the blender. That's right — this handy little appliance, once banished to the land of smoothies and protein shakes, is making a comeback. Think soups, salad dressings, spreads, dips, desserts — and, yes, the occasional smoothie (admit it, they are pretty good). Not only is the blender a cool summertime alternative to the oven, but eating raw can have great health benefits.

Supermodel and actress Carol Alt, author of Eating in the Raw and The Raw 50 (which hit bookshelves on July 3), shares six delicious no-oven-required recipes to keep you healthy, energized — and far away from the hot kitchen. (As if you needed an excuse.)