Sunny Days

What a gorgeous weekend! It's been a busy weekend, but I can't complain because the weather was perfect all weekend.

Most of the weekend was spent doing work outside around the house. Even though I was cleaning I couldn't complain with the sun shining and 82 degree temps. 

Saturday for lunch I made a portobello mushroom "pizza". I use the term pizza lightly as it is not a traditional pizza.

Portobello Mushroom "Pizza"

• 1 organic portobello mushroom
• 1/2 cup organic baby spinach
• 1/3 cup organic GF marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Arrange pizza with desired toppings. 

Bake for 17 minutes at 400 degrees. Allow to cool for a few minutes before eating.

After spending all afternoon in the hot sun I didn't want anything heavy for dinner. I opted for a salad which I topped with grilled chicken.

Grilled Chicken Summer Salad

• 2 cups organic baby spinach and spring mix lettuce
• 1/3 cup bell peppers- I used orange and red
• 1/4 cup avocado 
• 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons dried tart cherries
• 2 tablespoons unsalted sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon pepitas
• 1 tablespoon dried coconut shreds
• 2 apricots, sliced
• 1 hard boiled egg, sliced
• 4 ounce grilled chicken breast- on my grill it took 8 minutes on each side for the chicken to fully cook. When the juices run clear the chicken is done

I prepared the salad about an hour beforehand and kept it cold in the fridge. 

After the chicken finished on the grill I shredded it and threw on top of the salad.

There's no better end to the weekend than spending it by the lake. Such a relaxing end to a busy weekend. 

Enjoy the last few hours of the weekend and here's to a wonderful work week!

Memorial Weekend Part 2

The rest of the weekend following Corunna was very relaxing. Sunday morning I went for a 5 mile walk- running is still painful, but I'm making progress. I am an early riser so I was out walking at 6 a.m. I walked without headphones and it was so peaceful just to be alone with my thoughts. 

After my walk I pulled a jar of overnight oats out of the fridge- I'm telling you it's the most convenient thing in the world! This jar had:

• 1/4 cup Dannon Light and Fit Vanilla Greek Yogurt
• 1/4 cup GF steel cut oats
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries and raspberries
• 1/4 cup more yogurt
• 1 kiwi, sliced and 1/2 small banana, sliced in a pattern
• 1/4 cup more oats
• 1/4 cup more yogurt
• 3 large strawberries, sliced

My mom planted some flowers we had leftover from planting at the cemetery after church on Sunday. I thought these purple ones, sorry I don't know what they're called, were absolutely beautiful. Nothing says summer like beautiful flowers.

I found a baby snapping turtle being sucked away in the waves because there were so many boats on the lake enjoying the beautiful weather. Much to my dad's dismay I scooped him up and safely placed him on a big rock that was just close enough to the water, but also far enough that a wave wouldn't suck him out. The poor guy needed to catch his breath after fighting the waves. Cora was fascinated by him. 

Finally I want to say a delayed, but still deserved thank you to all the men and women who serve our country. We wouldn't have the freedoms we do without all of the hard, selfless work you do! I hope everyone had a safe and fun memorial weekend!

Memorial Weekend

I definitely have some catching up to do. I took a break from the blog over the holiday weekend, but I have tons of photos and delicious food to share! 

Saturday morning my dad, one of my uncles and I made the trip to the small town of Corunna about an hour from my hometown. Every memorial day weekend we go up and plant flowers on families graves. 

At one of the cemeteries we plant flowers at there is this cool old mausoleum. It would be totally creepy to be around it at night. I'd love to know the history of the mausoleum, if walls could talk!

Before getting lunch we stopped by a roadside park next to a normally tame river. Due to all the snow and rain early in the season the river flooded and still hasn't receded. Some of the walkway was still underwater.

My dad stopped and got subway for lunch, I had packed my lunch the night before, and we decided to eat lunch at the local park. I used to run and play with my cousins at this park, so it makes me sad to see it in disrepair. The grass hadn't been mowed and the gazebo was missing a bunch of posts. I don't understand why people choose to destroy something that is used by so many people. 

It turned out to be a gorgeous day. When the day started I wasn't sure how to dress so I kept it simple with black leggings, a white t-shirt and a flag print scarf. I kept my hair up in a messy bun so the wind wouldn't be blowing it everywhere. 

There is a tiny historical village inside the park. The old school house and church are my favorite buildings in the historical park- if you are ever in the area you have to check it out.

After a busy morning and afternoon of planting flowers we drove back home, had a delicious meal and enjoyed the beautiful weather. 

I had a small salad made of 1.5 cups mixed greens, 3 large strawberries sliced, 1/4 cup fresh raspberries and one tablespoon sliced almonds. My mom also grilled a slice of Tilapia and I had half an ear of fresh corn. Nothing better than a hearty meal to refuel after a long day!

I will try to get another post from the weekend up tomorrow after work. Have a good night!