Good morning and happy Friday! I hope you have a relaxing weekend to look forward to! Sunday will be a busy work day for me, so I’m hoping to make the best of Saturday…Matt and I are thinking of doing our monthly neighborhood exploration (which neighborhood- yet to be determined). Besides our Saturday adventure, I’m also hoping to set aside some time to plan my weekly dinner menu for next week, do some meal prepping, and do a little cleaning around the house. I love starting Mondays off with a tidy home and a plan 😉 And now… a few favorites from the week to share with you.

VANILLA BEAN GHEE LATTES

I always look forward to my morning cup of coffee. Some days, I have it straight up with a bit of organic half and half (yes, I use half and half quite often). Other days, I spice things up and get my froth on…I rotate between using coconut oil and vanilla bean ghee for my lattes, but this week was all about the ghee. I add a small amount (I’m guessing even less than a tsp) of the Fourth and Heart Vanilla Bean Ghee to my coffee mug, along with a scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, then I pour the contents into my blender and blend until the mixture is nice and frothy (I first put everything into the actual mug so it measures correctly after blending). A sprinkling of cinnamon to top it off, and it’s ready to enjoy. Many people use regular ghee, but I like the subtle vanilla flavor this option  adds.

CHOSEN FOODS AVOCADO OIL

I bought a 2 pack of this Chosen Foods Avocado Oil  a few weeks ago, and I really like cooking with it. I decided to switch to avocado oil because it has a higher smoke point than olive oil, and after doing some research, I learned that if an oil is heated beyond it’s smoke point, it can give off toxic smoke. There are other reasons to support using an olive oil alternative, but the smoke point was what pushed me to explore a different option.

NEST CANDLE- VANILLA ORCHID ALMOND

I’m a candle lover for sure…but, the last few months, we just haven’t had candles around very often. I guess I appreciate candles more so in the fall/winter time, as they bring such warmth and comfort to a chilly day or night. We sell Nest candles at Pure Barre, and when this one was lit at the studio, I instantly became obsessed with the scent. So glad I purchased one for myself because we’ve been loving the smell in our house all week long! Another candle brand I can’t get enough of? Rewined! The Pinot Grigio one is my favorite!

A TO Z Rosé

I love trying new wines, and during summer, I stick with Rosé. Knowing that fall is fast approaching, I’m taking advantage of all the Rosés right now. A to Z brand makes one of my favorite Pinot Noirs, so I figured their Rosé would also be a winner and, of course, I love it. It’s got a bit of a kick to it, almost spicy if you will (I’m sure wine experts would roll their eyes at my description, but that’s the best I can do). I appreciate that this version is different from the lighter Rosés I typically go for (I love the brand Push Pin from Whole Foods)…I find this one to be the perfect transition wine from summer to early fall, if that makes a lick of sense. I’ll be cracking this baby open when I return home from the studio tonight…cheers! I grabbed this bottle at Trader Joe’s.

OZARK

One last favorite to share…Matt and I just completed Season 1 of the Netflix series Ozark. Although the show is a little creepy/scary, it really reels you in and keeps you intrigued. I found myself anxious to get to the next episode because so many crazy things happen. The story centers around a money-laundering scheme gone wrong, following the main character and his family as they try to pull themselves out of the mess. Definitely recommend!

And that’s a wrap! Just a handful of new finds and favorites to share! Anything new you’ve been loving? Have an awesome weekend!

Happy Friday Eve all! I hope your week has been a good one so far. Stopping in today to share 5 tips for staying positive. I think we all want to be positive people: to live life joyfully, to stay calm under pressure, to see the bright side of things…and yes, sometimes that’s really freaking hard. Things go wrong, people hurt us, we have a sleepless night, we don’t get the job we’ve been yearning for…so many aspects of life, so many circumstances can affect how we feel day to day. And of course, it’s natural and necessary to sometimes just have a bad day.

But, when you feel like you’re in a negativity rut, desperate to regain a positive outlook, try out these 5 things. I have found these are the 5 tricks I constantly use to keep myself hopeful, happy, and joyful.

Separate yourself from negativity: pretty obvious, but one of the easiest things to do when you want to live a positive life is to weed out the negative. Surround yourself with people (heck, or animals) who lift you up and make you smile. You have permission to protect your joy and your happiness, so if there are people in your life who tend to bring you down, who only want to engage in gossip, or complain, you have every right to give yourself space.

No, it’s not always possible to avoid every negative person or situation, but do the best you can. And check yourself…are you the one gossiping, or complaining? If so, nip it. I’m blessed to have a husband who will call me out immediately when my inner Negative Nancy starts to creep in. So moral of the story, nip the negativity, whether it’s stemming from you…or from others.

Be grateful: There is always, always something to be grateful for and expressing thanks for what we have is a sure way to change from negative to positive energy instantly. If you are breathing, you have something to be grateful for. If you have a roof over your head, you have something to be grateful for. If you ate a meal today, you have something to be grateful for.

When you’re feeling crabby, whip out a piece of paper and start writing down everything you are thankful for. I promise you’ll instantaneously feel more positive.

Let it go: This is a tough one, and one I have to constantly work on…but, when something doesn’t go right (you make a mistake at work, have an argument with someone, plans change last minute, or an opportunity doesn’t work out)… let it go.

You’re probably not going to be able to change the outcome, so move on. Dwelling on a problem or past situation will only zap you of energy. Learn from a mistake, take note of what you can do better next time, and forge on.

Do something every day that makes you smile: We’re programmed to go, go, go throughout the day and it’s rare that we’ll stop and do something for the pure joy of it. It can be tough to fit in leisurely activities or down time, but it’s possible.

Does coffee bring you joy? Good, instead of gulping your cup down, savor it, even if it’s for 5 minutes. Don’t be checking your emails and your to-do lists (that’s me!) when you’re sipping your morning cup o’ joe… take a moment to focus on the smell and the warmth of the coffee, savor the whole experience. Your to-do list and emails will still be there when you’re finished.

Other easy things: step outside to breathe during a lunch break, go for a quick walk, turn on your favorite song, flip through a fun magazine. It takes 5 minutes to do something just for you. And you deserve it.

Exercise: Well, I don’t think I’ve ever walked away from any workout and felt crabbier than when I started. Exercise gives us those feel-good endorphins. When you’re feeling blue, go for a walk, a run, pop in a yoga video, dance. When I really need to reconnect to my own positive energy, I take my workout outside. Bike rides and long walks or runs are my go-to’s when I need a spirit booster.

Nature is healing. Movement is healing. Combine the two and you’ll be glowing with positivity when you’re done.

Have a beautiful rest of your day!

Happy Friday friends! I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to the weekend. Although I’ll be working a bit this weekend, I’ll make the most of my free time…relax, maybe get out for a bike ride, and hang with my favorite guy. Tonight we’re planning on getting a few tacos and margaritas, and we may hit up a new ice cream shop afterwards (all about balance).

This week felt long…but, it was a good one. Throughout the week, I did get my hands on a few new finds and favorites to share with you. And, if you haven’t already, check out my new favorite products page. I’ll try to always keep an-up-to-date round-up of things I love on there.

JASON SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

Okay, so I’m not really your hair-crazy kind of gal. 99% of the time, my hair is in a pony tail or tight bun. Although I don’t wash my hair more than twice per week, I do try to use shampoos and conditioners that have clean, gentle ingredients. This Jason duo was on sale at Whole Foods earlier in the week and I love it! I did a little mix and match with the selection they had available, but I must say, the restorative biotin one smells fabulous and my hair felt super soft after using both of these! Just thought I’d share in case anyone is in the market for a more natural hair care option!

SUNFLOWERS

This is a repeat photo from a post earlier in the week, but I can’t get enough of these sunflowers. I used to buy flowers almost every week when Matt and I were first married. I think flowers bring so much light and joy to a home. I knew I couldn’t keep my flower habit up every single week, so I started limited my beloved flower purchases to just once in awhile. Last week on a whim, I bought these on sale and seriously, they made me smile so much throughout the week. WORTH IT. No, I won’t go back to weekly flowers, but I do think it’s important to recognize these simple joys in life and savor them when you’ve got em.’ (So hey, if you’ve been holding back on a simple joy- flowers, a lovely scented candle, gourmet coffee, etc…here’s your permission to go treat yourself).

TRADER JOE’S ORGANIC TRIPLE FILTERED COCONUT OIL

I don’t know how long this option has been available at Trader Joe’s, but this is a new find for me and I am pumped for it! I love cooking with coconut oil, but I always felt limited in uses with regular coconut oil given the strong coconut flavor…no one wants coconut flavor in their eggs (unless you do and in that case, I pass no judgment). This triple filtered version allows me to use coconut oil in a wide range of recipes. There is no flavor or smell (at least for me there wasn’t) and I used it to cook my omelettes this week and it worked like a charm! This oil, as well as avocado oil are my new go-to’s for cooking.

ROOTZ NUTRITION SMOOTHIE

I’ve been enjoying this smoothie concoction on repeat this week, and yesterday, I think I hit recipe gold. I recently started incorporated Rootz Paleo Protein Superfood into my routine, and I love it. The ingredients are on point (and minimal which I love) and for an extremely clean, Paleo option, Rootz is also very affordable. I’ll do a more detailed post about the ingredients/incorporating protein into eating plans later. For now, here’s the recipe I used:

• 1 cup (or slightly more depending on how thick you like smoothies) almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 tbsp MCT oil
• 1 tsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp Vital Proteins collagen peptides
• 1/2 scoop Rootz Banana Nut Protein
• Couple of ice cubes

Blend and enjoy this brain booster smoothie (as I call it!) You can snag a discount on Rootz products by using code activebyannie on their website.

OLD PLANK ROAD BIKE TRAIL

Last weekend, Matt and I loaded up our bikes (this is the bike rack  we currently use) and headed to Historic Downtown Frankfort to hop on the Old Plank Road Trail. We’d been once before, and decided we’d use our open Saturday to hit a quieter trail. I absolutely love this trail for multiple reasons…first, there is easy parking- a free lot directly across the street from where you start the trail. There are also very nice, public bathroom facilities in this same starting location. Finally, and most importantly, the trail is wide, beautiful, and never overly crowded…a welcome change of pace from the busy lakefront path we usually ride.

On this particular Saturday, the trail was especially quiet, and I loved only hearing the birds and crickets, occasionally a rustling of leaves in the background. I felt like a kid of 12 again, riding freely, surrounded by greenery. Oh and you bet Matt and I raced a time or two during our 20 mile ride. Downtown Frankfort has some cute ice-cream/gelato options as well as some fun restaurants to grab a bite or a beer after your excursion. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a new biking option!

There you have it…a few favorites from the week! Would love to hear what you’ve been enjoying this week as well! Have a fantastic weekend!

*Disclaimer: This post does contain affiliate links. As always, thank you for your support 🙂

Well, you’re in for a flood of photos, but I firmly believe in the saying, “a picture says a thousand words,” particularly when you’re trying to convey the charm of a city like Charleston. Matt and I had Charleston on our travel radar for quite awhile…we ended up planning the trip pretty last minute, but things just fell into place and we knew we couldn’t pass up a chance to go. The city is magnificent… the southern architecture, the history, the cobblestone streets, the food….oh, the food. You best plan on indulging because I promise, it’s worth it. You’ll balance all the indulgent meals with lots of walking, so don’t fret!

We stayed in Chucktown for 5 days, and while I feel as though I could’ve stayed forever, I think you can definitely plan a pretty legit itinerary even if you just have a long weekend. We didn’t have a car for most of the trip and most of the things we were most excited to do did not require a vehicle. We only used our rented car one day- hitting up both Boone Plantation and Isle of Palms in the same day. Having said that, we did stay right in the heart of Downtown Charleston, so that made a difference for us in terms of walk-ability. Speaking of hotel, we stayed at The Mills House and had a great experience- a clean, beautiful (though older) hotel right across the street from some of the best restaurants.

The hotel offered great deals on their website for stays 3+ nights, so be sure to check it out. Matt and I also checked hotel options via booking.com, but in the end, the hotel’s website provided the lowest rate. And now, here they are…10 things I highly recommend you do during your Charleston get-a-way.

EAT AND DRINK AT HUSK

After watching Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” Charleston edition, we knew Husk was a priority during our 5 day trip. Lucky for us, Husk happened to be right across the street from our hotel so it was super convenient to get to! We made reservations for our anniversary dinner, but also enjoyed drinks at Husk Bar on several occasions during our trip. The actual restaurant, located on Queen Street in Historic Downtown Charleston, is in an old, Southern home, which was converted into a restaurant. Directly next to the restaurant is Husk the bar, which also serves up some seriously delicious shareable plates as well as some fun, southern libations (it’s my new word).

I love the ambiance of the bar…clearly, an old building transformed into a unique, rustic cocktail lounge. In the upstairs room, there are still old vines crawling the ceiling and the entire space has original, exposed brick, as well as beautiful, wood beams. At Husk bar, Matt and I shared an incredible app- pimento cheese with the crispiest crackers (I’m sure there’s a better name for them, but that’s what we’re going with).

Matt took advantage of the expert cocktail mixing and enjoyed different whiskey concoctions each time we went, whereas I played it safe and stuck to wine and one fruit-ier drink, called Aero-Mexico- delish!

Our anniversary night dinner in the actual dining room was unreal, and we went all out- ordering appetizers, sides, and plenty of cocktails.

The menu switches up constantly, but I ordered a catfish dish that was super tasty, while Matt went with a pork meal. We ordered cornbread and a corn salad to start and enjoyed every, single bite of both!

POOGAN’S PORCH

Okay, this restaurant was recommended to us immediately by our Uber driver when we arrived in Charleston, and boy, am I glad he gave us this suggestion! Poogan’s Porch has mouth-watering options and an awesome variety. Do not judge, but Matt and I ended up coming here 3 times during our stay, each time ordering a different meal.

The first night, I opted for scallops (probably my favorite of all the dinners we had there), the second time around, we split mac n’ cheese and fried chicken (you really can’t go wrong with that combo), and the third night, I ordered braised short rib, which was incredible. Fun fact, Poogan’s Porch is also said to be haunted, and I swear, on our first evening there, Matt’s glass kept sliding across the table…go see for yourself 😉 Anyway, this restaurant is a must if you’re visiting Charleston- reservations are easy to get, you can read up on it’s history when you arrive there, and it’s located directly next to Husk, so you could also grab a drink at Husk Bar in the same evening.

WALK THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON

I think one of the joys of Downtown Charleston is the homes- such a stunning variety of colorful, historic, beautiful houses…every corner you turn. If you visit Charleston, take a stroll down the residential streets- soak in the colors and the fabulous charm each house has to offer. Matt and I spent an entire morning winding through the streets, in awe of the old, grand, southern houses. During one of our walks, we stopped into Nathaniel Russell House for a quick tour as well- if you’re into guided tours of historic homes, there are definitely options for that as well, but I found our “roaming” strategy just as enjoyable!

ROOFTOP DRINKS

We hit up two different rooftops for drinks during our stay…first, we sipped a few refreshing cocktails at the Watch, which is the rooftop bar on top of the swanky Restoration Hotel. On our last evening in Charleston, we stumbled upon a different rooftop option, which we ended up enjoying even more than the first…The Rooftop Bar at Vendue. This rooftop has 2 levels, so be sure to go up to the very top. If you’re envisioning a view of skyscrapers and towering buildings…sorry, no. In Charleston, no building is taller than a church’s steeple, so while you’re not going to be wowed by concrete, you’ll surely appreciate the sprawling water, skies, steeples, and view of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge.

WATERFRONT PARK

On our first night in Charleston, we walked over to Waterfront Park to see the famous Pineapple fountain. The park is beautiful with lots of water views, greenery, and walking space. We ended up watching fireworks there on the 4th of July as well. Easily, you could incorporate this landmark during an after exploration of Downtown Charleston. There is a gelato shop right by the park, so grab a cone and relax on one of the many park benches!

FARMER’S MARKET

If you happen to be staying in Charleston through a weekend, be sure to hit up the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, located in Marion Square. There is an impressive lineup of vendors, not just limited to produce/food (since you likely won’t be able to take advantage of these items when you’re traveling). We ended up getting a few souvenirs at the market, my favorite being a coaster with a photo of Poogan’s Porch on it. You can also grab some incredible, quick bites while perusing the market…we sat and listened to live music while chowing down on some seriously tasty breakfast sandwiches and sipping on a cool, berry smoothie. If you’re planning a week-days only trip, you can still enjoy the market vibe at the Historic Charleston City Market open daily. There, you will also find a wide array of local vendors selling everything from jewelry, to candles, to soaps, to paintings. The market even has some night hours on the weekends as well!

SHOP ON KING STREET

Ladies, please make sure you browse the boutiques of King Street if you’re ever in Charleston…such a fun, unique shopping experience. Yes, there are some regular retailers lining the famous shopping strip, but there are SO many darling, local-owned shops that carry cute clothing, jewelry, trinkets, etc. Matt doesn’t love shopping, so I saved my King Street excursion for the day he had to work all day (he squeezed in some property tours during our time there). I popped in and out of every boutique and ended up with a few awesome items that I know I couldn’t get elsewhere!

167 RAW

Like oysters? How about Po’ boys? If you’re answer is yes, you MUST go to 167 Raw. Not only was it the best Po’ boy Matt and I have ever had, but maybe one of the best MEALS we’ve ever had. The space is tiny, so I do suggest you make reservations…there is really just a small bar area to sit and then a few tables. Expect to wait, but IT IS WORTH THE WAIT. And this is coming from someone who almost lost her cool while waiting for a table (I blame it on being hungry and not be fully acclimated to the southern, summer heat). And, my favorite part? They serve up some delightful rosé! You can thank me after your Po’ Boy 🙂

BOONE PLANTATION 

We wanted to incorporate one historical tour into our trip and Boone Plantation was first on my list, given my immense obsession with the movie the Notebook (parts of the movie were filmed on the plantation). I was extremely impressed with the mansion tour we received, though it was shorter than I anticipated. The grounds are lovely, so we spent much of our time there simply walking around, enjoying the gardens, reading up on the history, and checking out the stunning Oak trees lining the path up to the plantation home.

ISLE OF PALMS

We hit up Isle of Palms after Boone Plantation, but didn’t get there at a great time of day. Since we arrived late afternoon, there were no more chairs or umbrellas to rent so we weren’t totally comfortable (we only had our hotel pool towels). I include this option because if you plan ahead and get to the beach early, you can rent both the umbrella and chairs for about $30 dollars and spend the day relaxing under the sun! I was super happy we at least went and saw the beach because it is really pretty. The area also has plenty of little places to grab a quick bite, so you don’t have to worry about packing a lunch.

ARTHUR RAVENEL JR. BRIDGE

This impressive bridge crosses over the Cooper River. You can drive, walk across all (or half), or even rent a bike and cycle across this architectural gem! We only drove across it this time around, but next time I would definitely be a bit more adventurous and ride or walk it!

My final piece of advice if you’re visiting Charleston? Please talk with locals. Ask questions, get recommendations, and take time to learn the history. Every bar we went into, every restaurant, in the market… someone has something to share if you just ask. When we arrived at our hotel, the wonderful concierge staff wrote out a list of restaurants we had to go to, many of which are overlooked by tourists.

Would love to hear your Charleston recommendations as well, since I know I’ll be back! If you’re on the fence about visiting Charleston, do it. You will not regret immersing yourself in this charming city that is brimming with history!

Happy Monday all! With the official kick-off to summer happening last week,  I began thinking about a summer bucket list. Almost every season, I brainstorm fun (usually seasonal) activities I’d like to partake in.

This weekend, Matt and I were on a lakefront walk and we started talking about some of the things we hope to do before fall rolls around. I figured this would be a fun blog post, since we all sometimes have every intention to do this or that, but never really get to it. I think listing things out helps bring those ideas to the forefront and we’re more likely to go for it. With that being said, here is our current summer activity wish list:

Picnic dinner near the lakefront: While out and about walking yesterday, we came up with this first idea: why not pack up an easily transportable dinner and head to a quiet, lakefront spot to dine? We actually said we might do this tonight, but the chillier temperatures may call for a reschedule. I have a large picnic blanket we’ll bring, but we also looked into getting a couple of portable chairs for the future (we found some yesterday at Target for just $9).

A dinner I think is super simple to pack is a hearty pasta salad (mine will have lentil pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, spinach, pine-nuts, grape tomatoes, and a little fresh basil). Pack the pasta in separate  containers to easily dig in once you’re settled! Another fun picnic add-on…canned wine! I love the sparkling canned wine from Trader Joe’s.

Tackle 2 different bike trails: we love living near the lakefront path since it’s a beautiful trail to hit up with bikes, but sometimes it’s fun to try out different suburb paths. We’ve done the Fox River Trail as well as Old Plank Road Trail (we hopped on in Downtown Frankfort). We’d love to one or both of these, or test-out a new one! Any suggestions welcome! If you don’t have bikes, use a Divvy Bike for the day- biking is such an efficient way to see the city while staying active!

Rooftop (or just outdoor) dining and drinks: happy to say, we’ve already completed this one, but I don’t think one can dine al fresco too often. I especially enjoy rooftop libations, since they’re usually accompanied with stellar views.

My Chicago faves? I love Cindy’s Rooftop, River Roast (fabulous dining along the Chicago River), Parlor Pizza’s rooftop, RM Champagne, and Bang, Bang, Pies in Logan Square for some darn good, backyard-esque brunch.

Beach day: Okay, living in Chicago, this should be the easiest “task” to accomplish, but to be honest, it never happens. The beaches are a little crowded for our taste, I’ll admit, but there’s just something so satisfying about reading a good book with your toes in the sand, so sometimes those crowds are worth it. I would prefer to take a day-trip to a Michigan beach, but if that’s not in the cards, I still want to devote at least one day to beach-bummin’.

Rainy day museum visit: with all the incredible museums in Chicago, Matt and I rarely go. As we were winding around Museum Campus yesterday, we vowed to head to one of many options when the next rainy day comes around.

Visit somewhere new: I think summer is the perfect time to travel- it’s sort of that point in the year when everyone starts to feel an itch to get outa town and explore new places. Fortunately we have a trip planned to Charleston, South Carolina this summer and I cannot wait to dive into the southern history, culture, and FOOD. When a bigger trip is not in the cards for us, day-trips are the perfect way to satisfy that travel bug. We have done day trips to New Buffalo, Michigan as well as Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. On both occasions, we truly made a day of it…filling our mini-itinerary with a mix of both active and relaxing plans.

Listen to live music (more than once): I love listening to live music, especially at an outdoor venue. Luckily, the options are endless during summertime in Chicago. The past few years, we’ve done the Millennium Park concerts as well as shows at Ravinia, but my goal is to get to one new place by summer’s end!

Try a new ice-cream shop: those who know me well know I love ice-cream. I’m pretty good about indulging in my favorite dessert less-regularly than in the past, but there was a time when I couldn’t go a night without it. I love ma and pa ice-cream shops that serve up old-fashioned, natural ice-cream. I am hoping we stumble upon the perfect shop in Charleston 🙂 Side note: I do adore Jeni’s Ice Cream, which has multiple locations in Chicago.

Spend more time on our porch: this is a simple bucket list item, but I feel as though we’ve been neglecting our poor porch lately. In past summers, we’d dine out there constantly, or just spend an hour reading a good book. If this spring is any indication of our porch devotion, things aren’t looking good. Hoping to sneak in a few porch dinners soon!

Architecture tour or other boat tour: I have done the architecture boat tour several times, but it’s been a few years since my last and I’m feeling’ it this summer! Such a fun way to see the city and be in awe of Chicago all over again!

There you have it! 10 things we’re hoping to do this summer…of course, there are a ton more activities we could have added, but sometimes keeping it simple helps us actually tackle the list. I would love to hear what’s on your summer bucket list, or, if you just have fun suggestions, I’d love to hear those too!

Happy Monday!

 

Hey friends! Happy Tuesday to you! I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Friday seems like ages ago, and yet, the weekend passed by super fast thanks to a fun mix of outings, relaxing, and teaching. We didn’t go into the weekend with many plans, but it ended up being an absolute blast…lots of quality time with my favorite human in the world (Matt would roll his eyes big time at this statement, but it’s true)!

FRIDAY

As usual, I taught Friday evening and since I had to be up early to teach Saturday morning as well, we kept things low key with a pasta dinner and a few episodes of the documentary the Keepers. For our pasta dinner, I grabbed some lentil pasta at Whole Foods along with Italian chicken sausage. Matt ate his with red sauce, while I opted for a garlic & olive oil topping, then added some spinach into it as well.

If you enjoy documentaries, I highly recommend the Keepers, which is on Netflix. The series examines the unsolved, 1969 murder of a nun named Sister Cathy. Former students of Sister Cathy dig deep into the awful events that may have led to Sister Cathy’s murder, and along the way uncover layers upon layers of cover-ups and lies. Though the content of the series is upsetting, I think the documentary was incredibly well-done, and highlights the importance of journalists in cases where the truth has been disguised by authority figures and people in power.

SATURDAY

I actually struggled to fall asleep Friday night…a mix of feeling a bit unnerved from the Keepers, and knowing I had to be up bright and early, made for a restless night’s sleep, but I made it through and ended up having an awesome day! The sunshine and warm temperatures definitely gave me the extra energy I needed. I taught 2 classes at Pure Barre, then stayed after to chat with clients and tidy up the studio.

I headed home and quickly whipped up scrambled eggs, topped with salsa and ate them alongside some juicy strawberries.

I also dove into a package of energy bites from Whole Foods (found near the “make your own nut butter” section). I wasn’t crazy about the energy bites, but it did remind me that I need to get back into making my own energy bars and bites. I absolutely love the mango bars I made last year…so tasty and easy! Recipe here.

After lunch, Matt headed to the gym in our building for a workout, so I took a shower and got ready for the rest of the day. We knew we wanted to sit outside, but left our afternoon agenda open-ended. Once we were both freshened up, we grabbed a cab and headed to the West Loop neighborhood, thinking our first destination would be Federales. There was a huge line for the outdoor dining area, so we decided to keep walking and ended up choosing Parlor Pizza as our first stop.

Even though there was a wait there as well, it was much quicker and we were able to get drinks at the bar while we waited. I enjoyed a refreshing citrus-y cocktail and before we knew it, our table was ready.

Saturday was absolutely gorgeous, so to sit outside with a cold drink and enjoy the sunshine felt amazing. Funny thing…we kept noticing this chatter around us and other patrons looking in this one direction…finally, we realized it was because Derrick Rose (of the Chicago Bulls) was sitting there. Pretty darn cool!

We ordered the “Save the Last Ranch” pizza to split, but to be honest, we weren’t crazy about it. I think we ordered too quickly because there were several other options way more up our alley, but when you’re hungry and distracted by celeb sightings, it’s easy to prematurely order.

Once we finished our pizza, we got antsy and wanted to move around, so we left and explored the neighborhood a bit (which is essentially walking around and Matt giving me lessons on each building, the company who owns, etc. etc.) We didn’t want to head home, but felt like we’d walked around enough so decided to pop into Cruz Blanca (the newest Rick Bayless restaurant) for one last patio drink.

Cruz Blanca was actually on my summer bucket list, and I was surprised at how casual it is. You order your drinks at the bar (I believe the same goes for food) and seat yourself. The margarita was absolutely delicious, and the small outdoor dining space was perfect, much less crowded than Parlor had been, which was what we were looking for.

Feeling nice and saucy from margaritas (kidding), we took off for one more spin around the main streets of the West Loop, then hopped in a cab and headed home. After a quick swap into warmer clothes, we decided to walk around and get some errands done. Whole Foods was our last stop of the evening -we grabbed a salmon burger and a steak kabob to grill for dinner, and of course, a carton of butter pecan ice-cream.  Then, it was home to grill and relax. We watched the movie Get Out, which was on the scarier side, so of course I was uneasy once again come bedtime.

SUNDAY

It felt awesome to sleep in on Sunday, since Saturday had been an early wake-up for me. My sleep hasn’t been great (I think from some inconsistency in my schedule/routine), so the extra hours were more than appreciated. The highlight of Sunday for me was a long walk around downtown Chicago (all in all, our morning excursion was about 5 miles.) Matt suggested we stop into the Chicago Athletic Association building, and perhaps try to sneak up to Cindy’s rooftop for a quick drink.

Now, I was wearing workout gear (baseball cap and all) and was under the impression one would be shooed away from the popular rooftop if not dressed to the nines, but in typical Matt fashion, he brushed away my worries and said, “doesn’t matter!” I’m so glad he did because you definitely do not have to be dressed up to enjoy Cindy’s! It was a smaller space than I imagined, but still outstanding views and a lovely atmosphere. We told the hostess we just wanted to grab some quick drinks and check out the view, which is totally acceptable and many others were doing the same!

We lucked out and found 2 open spots to sit while we sipped on drinks: a mimosa for Matt and a matcha latte for me. Since the drinks are on the pricier side, we kept it to one and left once we had our fill of rooftop gazing.

Then it was off to Millennium Park to check out Lurie Garden. You guys, the flowers were breathtaking…the most vivid purple flowers and green grasses, against the skyline, makes for such a beautiful sight.

A little more walking around Millennium Park, before we knew we needed to eat something…we stopped by Wildberry, close to the park, but the line was too long for us. We started walking home and stopped on the way to pick up some breakfast sausage and a few other items to make a fun brunch at home.

We split a giant omelet (made by yours truly) and ate it along with maple breakfast sausage, toast smothered in Kite Hill Chive spread, and some strawberries- it hit the spot! Once brunch was done, we had to face the facts…the apartment needed a good cleaning. Pans all over the kitchen, a full sink, and a dish-washer that hadn’t been emptied, put us into a much-needed cleaning frenzy. Once cleaning was complete, Matt wanted to do a workout video and politely asked I leave him be to do so…I headed down to our building’s gym to do a super light, but fun workout. I jogged a bit on the treadmill then put together a random ab/cardio circuit.

• Alternating jumping lunges – 10 each side
• Russian twists (with medicine ball) – 20
• Bosu Ball Push-ups – 10
• Weighted jumping jacks -20
• Forearm plank – 1 minute

I cannot say I went balls to the walls here…since we had already walked a lot that day, I took my time and just had fun. I repeated it 3x, then got a text from Matt saying he had abandoned his workout and it was okay to return. (We always take turns doing workouts in our living room, which some people think is hilarious, but we both love videos and we have awesome adjustable weights, so it’s often easier to get it done in our own apartment!)

I inhaled an RX bar after my workout, then showered and got ready for dinner. Matt and I both love Mexican food, so we ended up going to one of our favorite nearby Mexican restaurants that serves up delicious plates, fast.

It was the perfect choice because I had to work Monday morning, so we didn’t want to be out too late. I think we were in and out in 40 minutes or less. The rest of Sunday night was devoted to finishing the Keepers.

MONDAY

Monday morning I was up early to teach 2 Memorial Day classes! I actually felt pretty exhausted, but the energy of clients always helps me feel more alert! After classes, I swung by a nearby Nordstrom to pick up a sun hat that has been on my wardrobe wish list for a year! I finally caved and bought this hat I’d been coveting, because I know I’ll use it all the time this summer, and hey, it’s good sun protection!

Once I was back home, I whipped up some avocado toast with everything bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s. I also had some leftover omelet, pineapple, and almonds. Matt and I stopped by our friends’ place for a quick drink, then it was off to my parents’ for one final weekend BBQ. My parents ended up choosing the same Whole Foods kabobs we had Saturday night, but since they were so freaking tasty, we didn’t care.

Matt and I headed home pretty quickly after dinner because I was exhausted and felt crabbiness starting to creep up…we watched 2 episodes of Bloodline Season 3 (one of my all-time favorite shows), um, yet another, creepy/scary series…I’m on a creepy television roll, and finished off our butter pecan ice cream. We both said this week needs to be a detox of sorts, since we’ve eaten out so much lately and indulged in our fair share of cocktails!

I will say, this weekend was so much fun, though a bit exhausting when all was said and done. I love exploring Chicago, especially with Matt, and I find that when we don’t worry about making set plans, we end up having more fun and being more adventurous. Cindy’s and Cruz Blanca had been on my bucket list, and we tackled them both in 24 hours! I highly recommend checking out Cindy’s on a warm, blue-sky day, even if it’s just for a cup of coffee! Also, seriously go take a look at Lurie Garden- there is so much to see/do around Millennium Park- it’s well worth it!

And last, I just want to give thanks to all who have served or currently serve our country and make our freedom possible.

That’s a wrap for today! My goal today is to work on an easy recipe for Mexican meatloaf so I can get that recipe up this week.

Have an awesome week everyone!

Hey, hey! Happy Wednesday! Today, I am sharing a few ways I’ve incorporated more veggies into my daily meals. This is a struggle with a capital S for me…I’ve never really liked veggies. When I was a kid, I remember staring at my salad bowl in disgust, willing it to disappear. I also distinctly recall trying to feed my poor dog veggies under the table, and when she sniffed them, but took a pass on eating them, I understood. They’re just not everyone’s thing.

When carrots and peppers are nice n’ crisp, perfectly sliced and accompanied with a good dip, I’ll go for it now, because I know it’s good for me. But, on a whole, my vegetable consumption is not ideal. The last few months, I’ve come up with some tricks to increase the amount of vegetables I eat daily and I thought I’d share them with you today!

Tip #1:

Add vegetables to smoothies

I am starting off with my favorite way to consume veggies, that’s right, the way where I can’t even taste them. For years, I’ve added spinach and/or kale to my smoothies, so that’s nothing new for me, but if you don’t already, there’s an opportunity for those greens! A few months ago, I began adding riced cauliflower into my smoothies and/or post workout protein shakes and was pleased to find out if you add just a bit, the cauliflower doesn’t alter or ruin the smoothie’s taste.

You most definitely can go overboard, so tread lightly here. I usually add about 1/4 C (maybe a little more) and find that cauliflower rice is best accompanied with a banana in any smoothie concoction. After a surprisingly pleasant experience with cauliflower, I started thinking about other veggies I could blend in, and butternut squash popped into my head (it was fall and all things butternut squash/pumpkin were happening).

Butternut squash is a HELL YEAH in smoothies. It is SO tasty with banana, almond milk, almond butter, cinnamon, maybe a little vanilla protein powder, or collagen peptides for a protein boost.

You can get riced cauliflower at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Whole Foods also carries frozen riced cauliflower which I think would be even better in smoothies. Same goes for butternut squash- I buy frozen bags at Whole Foods and add the pieces into my smoothie at least once or twice a week.

One last idea, add in some carrots. I’ll throw shredded carrots in smoothies (think carrot cake smoothie: banana, carrot, cinnamon, vanilla protein powder OR vanilla yogurt, etc.) before the carrots go bad. Just make sure you have the proper blender to add in carrots.

Let’s review: Add spinach, kale (or other greens), butternut squash, riced cauliflower, and carrots into your smoothies (rotating them obviously) to pack in those nutrients. One final smoothie add-in option…avocado!

(Recipe for a butternut squash smoothie: here)

Tip #2

Dip it. Dip it real good.

I am not suggesting you flood your salads or veggies with Ranch dressing like we all did when we were kids… what I am suggesting, to eat more RAW veggies, is find yourself a damn good, high-quality dip that will help you enjoy the vegetables a bit more. My current favorite way to eat raw veggies is either with Kite Hill Chive Cream-Cheese Style Spread or hummus. Keep the spreads/hummus to a minimum, but if a little dip helps you eat a shiz ton more veggies, it’s worth it!

Tip #3

Be freaking sneaky 

Anytime I’m making dinner or planning out dinners for the week, I try to think about how I can sneak more veggies in. Making meatballs? Cool, throw a little riced cauliflower in there. Making pasta? Nice, add some chopped up peppers, onions, and zucchini to the sauce. Tacos? You get the picture…chop up vegetables and add it into the meat. The point is, when you mix vegetables into something with a strong flavor (like taco seasoning), you can’t even really taste them.

Tip #4

Grill baby, grill

Okay, I think asparagus is just yuck. And that’s childish, I know. But if it’s seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, and grilled, I can dig it. I also LOVE grilled onions,peppers, and eggplant. However, I really try to reserve grill time for those vegetables I despise the most…so sorry asparagus.

Tip #5

Oven roast

I am starting to love oven roasted broccoli. I drizzle the pieces in olive oil, add in garlic, salt, pepper, maybe a little paprika…let them crisp up in the oven, then sometimes sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese. Super tasty, and I think oven roasting is a great way to enjoy a wide variety of veggies.

Tip #6

Ease into the groove of veggies

One of the reason I struggle with veggies, is sadly, the preparation. Some weeks, I just don’t want to chop up broccoli, so I buy the pre-cut broccoli at Whole Foods. Pick and choose your battles with this, but certainly don’t be afraid to grab some pre-prepared veggies if that will help you get into the groove of eating them. Going along with that tip, try out veggie noodles! More and more grocery stores are offering prepared veggie noddles- an awesome opportunity to test out some fun pasta recipes, sans actual pasta.

Tip #7

Add it to a frittata 

I find it incredibly easy to add veggies to a frittata, omelette, or eggs. Finely chopped onion, peppers, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms…all fabulous additions to an egg creation.

Tip #8

Soup it up 

If you’re feeling ambitious, make your own veggie soup- I find vegetables super satisfying when they’re in a homemade soup. A fun soup swap out? Use zucchini noodles in place of regular noodles in chicken noodle soup. Now, let’s say you love the boxed tomato soup from Trader Joe’s (as I do), spice it up by adding in some vegetables- my faves in tomato soup are onion and zucchini.

Tip #9

Give your salads some love

I used to make the most boring salads ever. Every day: feta, avocado, carrots, cucumber, not much else. And I tired of salads, quickly. It is a MUST to switch your salads up! Bring in seasonal elements: fresh strawberries in summer (with goat cheese or feta, cucumber, grilled chicken, red onion, slivered almonds). In fall, incorporate beets, pumpkin seeds, and butternut squash into salads. Make salads fun…use hummus in place of dressing some days, add in sliced turkey, grilled chicken, or smoked salmon for protein. When you spice things up in the salad department, you’re less likely to skip the greens completely.

Tip #10

Prep ahead

If you end up not getting pre-cut veggies, or if you still have some that will need slicing, do it ahead of time. Designate time on Sunday to cut everything up so it’s all ready to go when you need a quick snack throughout the week. You’ll be more likely to reach for veggies if they’re all nicely sliced and ready to DIP (or not, whatever, your choice).

There you have it. 10 tips to get more veggies into your diet. Bottom line, you’ve got to rip the band aid. With veggies, with anything that’s a struggle. Stop avoiding it…have fun with it. Don’t let it become a chore, let it be a puzzle you have to figure out. I actually chuckle to myself when I add cauliflower into my smoothies, like, “damn…she doesn’t even notice!”

Vegetables aren’t my strong point. But, instead of being hard on myself, I take it one day a time. I’m far from perfect, but these tips are certainly helping me get closer to my veggie-intake goals!

I wanted to hop on today and talk about staying balanced in your life, in fitness, and with healthy eating. Recently, I sort of feel like balance is my life motto for just about everything. Not to be super cliché, but I think I’ve grown a lot in the last few years when it comes to leading a well-balanced life, which is why I want to address this topic. First of all, how do I even know I am more balanced than ever before? Well, I feel it. I sleep better, I’m less anxious/nervous about things that would’ve sent me down a vortex of worry in the past, and in general, I just feel a sense of calm.

Now, I’m not saying all day, errrr day, I’m a flower child humming tunes without a care in the world. I still worry about stuff (er, finances, cough, cough), but I think my perspective is better, as is how I respond to these normal life obstacles. For me, letting go of comparison, washing away the idea of “timelines,” and focusing on the present moment are all things I do to live that bad-ass, balanced life.

Let’s start with comparison…DON’T FREAKING DO IT. EVER. We clear? Good. Your life is your life. Everyone has a different outlook on life, different goals, different views on what makes a fulfilling life. If I allowed the comparison game to seep it my blood, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

You see, I felt that something needed to change a few years back…I didn’t love my job and I really believed I could find a way to make a career out of what I enjoy most (so…ya know, eating and fitness). Easily, at the ripe ol’ age of 29, I could have said “too late, kiddo. It’s time to stay stable, start having kids, and really settle down.” Because you know what, that’s what was starting to happen around me…right as I’m starting to have all these epiphanies about who I could be and how amazing it would be if I took a chance and left familiarity behind, others around me were diving into a way different life story- babies, buying homes, PhD’s,… It can be confusing when you feel you’re at an age at which you should be hitting that next life milestone, but instead of looking at my life as a timeline, I listened to that little voice inside of me that said, “do it.”

And I’m better for it. I’m not saying life wouldn’t be incredible if I had chosen another path, but I feel stronger, more balanced having gone down this one. The fact that I don’t dread Mondays, suffer from sleepless nights, and I feel excited to inspire others daily, are all testaments that I’m becoming who I was meant to be. I don’t want you to have this impression that everything is perfect in my life (it’s all tulips, overnight oats, and Pinot o’er here!) Everyone struggles with something, no doubt, but it’s about truly loving who you are and what you do that allows you to live observing your struggles, rather than letting your struggles be your life.

So I guess what I am saying is, if you don’t feel balanced, gut check. What’s your inner-voice telling you? I think when we tune into ourselves (via meditation, prayer, writing in a journal, etc.) we can discover those answers we need. Maybe not right away, but eventually, we do find that path we’re meant to be on. And hey, you might have to go on several paths simultaneously to get where you’re going, and that’s cool too. The one thing you can’t do? Look at someone else’s life and judge your own. You’ll never feel balanced living a life that is not authentically yours.

Okay, so now for a little health and fitness specific talk with regards to balance. I think it’s pretty common for many people to take on that “all or nothing” mentality when getting started on a workout or healthy eating kick. Here’s the thing- it doesn’t work. You are not going to have perfect workouts every week, and you sure as heck are not going to eat perfect 100% of the time. Here’s how I look at it… first, with regards to food, the question I ask myself most throughout the week is “what is this food giving my body?” Maybe it’s Vitamins A, C, B, or protein, healthy fats, complex  carbs…but, by asking that question, I’ve acknowledged the true purpose of food: nourishment and strength for the body. But, I’m also human, and I love ice-cream and I believe sometimes our souls just need it. So I buy ice-cream that has real, natural ingredients (please don’t get artificial crap). I don’t have it every, single night, but I do have it when I truly crave it, and you know what it gives me? Balance 😉

The meals I make at home are pretty darn healthy, so when we have a date night out at a restaurant, I know it’s cool to indulge a little. When the majority of what you eat is clean, natural ingredients, then those occasional indulgences are good. And in a way, they are necessary (at least for me, I know they are). It’s all about listening to your body and being honest with yourself. You know if you haven’t had a single vegetable in a day. So work on that. You know if you’re being too hard on yourself and never allowing yourself treats. Work on that. Above all, love your body.

The same goes for exercise. We’re meant to move, but we’re not meant to move so much that we’re always tired, sore, or sick. Listen to your body. Mix up your workouts. I am a Pure Barre fanatic, but I still take myself through my own circuit workouts. I do yoga when I need an extra long stretch. I take rest days and I have weeks where I barely workout at all. It happens. Honor your body week to week, take walks, dance, stay active, but don’t pressure yourself to do a certain number of days, or a certain number of hours in the gym. Just focus on moving, having fun, keep your body guessing, and make sure you feel good. If you’re feeling good, likely you’ve got a good routine.

So why all the balance talk? Well, I hadn’t blogged in awhile, and I realized it was because I had spent some time focusing on other areas. I didn’t dive into every aspect of balance here today,  but sometimes in order to keep our lives balanced we have to set certain priorities, and as a result, some things take the back burner for awhile. With work, with relationships…there’s always a fine line to maintaining balance. But, I’m back and ready to share and, hopefully do lots of inspiring here.

My idea of balance may not be yours. That’s okay. My point is, with everything in life, take time to listen; listen to that inner voice, listen to your body, listen to your heart. I think no matter what our definition of a “balanced” life is, no one can go wrong if we just listen.

Hey guys! Hope your week is off to a great start! After a busy, but fun weekend, my Monday was an awesome one and definitely started the week off on a positive note..lots of Pure Barre (just how I like it)…a combo of teaching + taking made for an active day for sure. Matt was out of town for the weekend through late Monday night, so I didn’t do my usual dinner menu planning on Sunday.

Monday night’s dinner for me was a mess of greatness: 2 Hilary’s Adzuki Black Bean Burgers + greens + avocado + a sunny side up egg + roasted cauliflower and broccoli. I love when random items come together to make a super satisfying and easy meal! But alas, now I’ve got to get more organized with my dinners for the rest of the week. Here’s the thing. I can tell I am just not in a cooking mood. You know how sometimes you just know yourself? Well, I know there will be no complicated or experimental recipes for us the next few days.

Instead of fighting it, I’m embracing it. So, what does one do when one does not want to cook? Two words: Trader Joe’s. I found myself there today in an attempt to simplify the cooking process this week. I figured I would show you what I bought and how it translates into 3 easy breezy dinners. Shall we?

For organization’s sake, I’ll break this down a bit:

Meats/Proteins:

• Organic ground beef
• Sun-dried tomato chicken sausage
• Applegate Naturals smoked turkey
• Eggs
• Greek yogurt

Snack items:

• Brown rice cakes
• Hummus
• Almonds
• Quinoa & Black Bean infused tortilla chips
• RX bar (not pictured)

Fruits/Veggies:

• Organic spinach and romaine lettuce
• Pre-cut and seasoned brussels sprouts
• Ready-to-go stir fry veggies
• Organic grape tomatoes
• Pink lady apples

Other:

• Organic brown rice
• Re-fried beans

For all these items, I spent under $70. I had previously bought chicken from Whole Foods this weekend (fabulous sale), so I knew I already had that to work with. Here’s the plan…

Tuesday’s dinner: chicken breasts from Whole Foods marinated in coconut aminos, ground ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper. I made this chicken the other night and it was SO good. I’ll slice up the chicken and add it in with the stir fry veggies, which I will season the same as the chicken. Served over brown rice (which is microwavable and done in 3 minutes).

Wednesday: Taco bowls. I’ll make my own taco seasoning with spices I have on hand, add the cooked and seasoned ground beef to a bowl of romaine lettuce. Top with tomatoes, re-fried beans, avocado, and chopped onion and pepper that we already have in the fridge. (Additional option: add in brown rice).

Thursday: Sun-dried tomato chicken sausage with brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes. We slice up the sausages then heat them on our grill pan to give them a little crispiness- they’re ready in under 10 minutes. You can start the sweet potatoes ahead of time, as well as the brussels sprouts so they’re ready to go once the sausage is done.

As per usual, we leave Friday open for possibilities, so these 3 dinners cover us for the week! The turkey will be used in salads and wraps for our lunches, and the remaining items are really just snacks and lunch sides. Eggs we hard boil to use in salads or sometimes I’ll make omelettes as my lunch if I’m home.

And that’s that. Not a super expensive grocery haul considering it will cover 3 dinners, most lunches, and plenty of snacks for the week!

Question of the day: What’s your go-to dinner when you don’t feel like cooking?

Good morning everyone! Hope you had a fantastic weekend! We had a fun weekend over here, but I’m feeling nice n’ ready for the week ahead.

Since I teach Friday evenings, they are usually pretty low-key. Matt ordered pizza for us via Amazon restaurants (it was our first time trying it). We actually loved the arugula pizza we ordered from Pranzi, but the delivery was a little longer than predicted.

Since we had a first-timer’s coupon from Amazon, we did get a discount, and immediately after our semi-late delivery, we received an email from Amazon, giving us a $10 credit for our next order. Overall, not a bad a experience! And since we are creatures of habit and order pizza from the same place every single time, this was a fun, little change! (We did get a gluten free crust since I’m still not loving my reactions to gluten these days).

Currently, Matt and I are watching the Path on Hulu (does anyone else watch the Path?), so we knocked out a few episodes over our pizza and cocktails. (No photos to share since I basically inhaled my food…)

Saturday morning was glorious…we slept in until almost 9:00. (I initially shot up at 6 am, but laid back down and boom…out). After chocolate oatmeal and coffee, I headed out in the nasty rain to get to Pure Barre for a late morning class. I am almost done with this March Challenge, 5 days to go, and 5 more classes for me. I will get this done! After Pure Barre, I popped into Trader Joe’s for a few items to keep us tied over for a few days.

Saturday evening, we celebrated one of my best friend’s 30th birthdays! Her mom put together the most thoughtful surprise party ever (layers of surprises throughout the night)! The surprise began on a party bus and ended at Bottled Blondes, where we danced the night away. I cannot lie, I feel like I can’t handle late nights like I used to, but we had a blast pretending we could still hang with the best of em’ …ohh, 30!

The highlight of Sunday was a family get together at my aunt’s house. My cousin and her husband were in town, so we had a lovely afternoon gathering filled with incredible food, some live Irish music (we have some talented musicians in our fam), and lots of catching up.

I documented the food portion of the get-together…My aunt had the most amazing spread of Mexican food: tamales, homemade guacamole and salsas, fajitas, rice…ah! It was all SO good.

And of course, with all this incredible food…we had sangria 🙂

The rest of Sunday evening was as lazy as they come! But, I think I needed that…lots of couch time and relaxin’ with my guy! Alright, here’s what’s planned for the week ahead in terms of dinners:

• Monday: Sweet potato and ground chicken skillet (a random mess of ingredients that I will throw together)
• Tuesday: Coconut lime chicken (my experimental meal for the week!)
• Wednesday: Cobb Salad
• Thursday: Going to re-make the meatballs I made last week, so I can share the recipe with you all!
• Friday: TBD

Have an awesome start to your week!

Question of the day: Have you ever tried Amazon Restaurants or another food delivery service? If so, what did you think?