{weekend} lovelies
:: Weekend Lovelies ::
Happy Weekend {image above via: Oh Sweet Joy}! We hope that you had a safe & happy 4th of July! This edition of lovelies is full of amazing finds! We hope that you are able to take a few moments to yourself this weekend and enjoy the links over your favorite cup of coffee or tea!
As always, we appreciate you reading our blog, and would love to hear from you through your posted comments… if even just a quick, “hello!”
Have a lovely weekend, friends! {xo}
I Got You // Jack Johnson
Who doesn’t love Jack? He’s one of our faves… for yoga, car rides, or just a mellow day at home with the family. His new album, From Here to Now to You, comes out this September. We’re excited!
A Tiny House Tour // Jessica Helgerson Interior Design
We’ve seen a photo or two of this tiny house pinned from time-to-time, but never before had we viewed all the photos of this inspirational house all in one place. When we found it, we knew we needed to share it with you. It just goes to show that the dreamiest of spaces doesn’t have to be large… just beautifully designed and functional. It’s complete design {love}!
Raspberry Vanilla Smoothie
As a busy mom of four, I gave up breakfasts that are time consuming long ago! Although cereal, frozen waffles, granola bars & healthy homemade muffins are a staple in my home for the kids… I make myself a protein shake or smoothie almost every morning. I love to experiment by adding greek yogurt to different types of fresh fruit & even veggies {such as spinach or kale}. I typically sweeten {when needed} by adding honey, but you can always adjust that in the recipe to use your favorite sweetener.
This Raspberry Vanilla Smoothie recipe is packed full of high quality protein from the Fage Greek Yogurt I used {18 grams to be exact!}. It’s also loaded with healthful antioxidants from the fresh, organic raspberries {to read more about the health benefits of raspberries click here}. I made this recipe for my husby and I one morning. My kids had a taste and LOVED it! I ended up having to whip up more for my sweet little ones! [Read more…]
Panzanella Salad
:: Panzanella Salad ::
It just doesn’t get much easier {or tastier}, than this healthy summer salad! Panzanella Salad is my absolute FAVORITE dish to serve to friends… whether I’m taking it to their house, or hosting a summer playdate in my own home. It’s also the perfect meal to bring for a picnic lunch or concert in the park!
There is some chopping of fresh veggies involved, the making of a simple homemade vinaigrette dressing, and a little toasting of french bread in a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil… but the steps are super basic {you could even get the kids to help you toss it all together}! In under thirty minutes… you will have a scrumptious, fresh, tangy, and crisp bread salad to enjoy!
This recipe has always gotten rave reviews… but the best part is that you can easily customize it to your own taste! For example… love a greek salad? Just add in some chopped olives and feta cheese! For my husby, I omitted the red onion and added avocado slices. Any way that you do it… it comes out perfectly fresh and delectable! The combination of flavors is seriously… mouthwatering! [Read more…]
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
:: Strawberry Oatmeal Bars ::
When it comes to baking, you just can’t go wrong with a recipe that calls for a crumbly mixture of butter, brown sugar, and oatmeal {am I right?}! Combine those ingredients with your favorite flavor of jam {yum!} and you are left with a rich and chewy bar that you can enjoy as a snack or even served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! These delicious bars also pack perfectly in kids lunches and would make a nice treat for a friend!
We were fortunate to have a jar of super sweet homemade strawberry jam that a friend had made for us in our fridge. I used it in this recipe… and I am sure it enhanced the pure tastiness! Although I used strawberry, you can use any flavor of jam of your liking. Peach… raspberry…. blackberry…. whatever you fancy or have readily available! The buttery, brown sugar oatmeal mixture is used for the base of the bar…. and the crumbly topping! It is super easy to make with only one-bowl needed!
The original recipe was taken from one of our favorites {the Pioneer Woman}. Nicole and I love all of her recipes… but as usual, we tend to make a few adaptations based on the ingredients we have on hand. Since my jam was very sweet… I cut back on the brown sugar. I also used half whole wheat flour and half white all-purpose to make it a tad bit healthier {hmm… not sure if that’s possible with all of that butter}!! Any way that you choose to do it… they are sure to come out delicious! Enjoy!
Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
:: ALMOND POPPY SEED MUFFINS ::
Isn’t it funny how certain sights, sounds, tastes, and smells evoke emotions and bring back memories? Well… the smell and taste of these muffins do just that for me. It brings me back to my early high school years spent in San Diego…. Happy memories surfaced of the carefree days spent with one of my best high school friends. We used to make these muffins after school or on the weekends. Back then, we made them from a boxed mix… and they really were delicious! I think we’d practically devour the whole dozen! I haven’t seen them since those years, long ago. I have found lemon poppyseed muffin mix… but that just isn’t the same in my opinion! There is just something magical about the combination of almonds with poppy seeds!