What will you make, explore, watch or eat this week? Check out my latest ideas to inspire you to live more curiously. If you like what you see please share it with your friends.
To Make: DIY Marshmallow Roasting Sticks
I love a s’more. Show up with these fun marshmallow roasting sticks at your next bonfire and you’ll be the talk of the town.
To Eat: Almond Butter Banana Blender Muffins
I signed up for 60 day challenge through Life Time Fitness this month. Truth be told my challenge is to not gain weight this summer, but as a bonus I would like to drop a few winter pounds I’ve packed on. Healthy eating doesn’t just happen overnight. It is about making good choices and establishing certain habits little by little. These blender muffins are something I could see myself making to help satisfy me sweet tooth. They are easy to make, dairy-free and gluten-free.
To Inspire: Deliece Hofen
I saw this posted on Facebook. I don’t know Deliece personally, but I know her story. She is an inspiration especially for anyone who is battling an illness. She fought breast cancer at the same time fighting for her child’s life who was battling neuroblastoma. They have both been in remission now for 5 years. If you’re on Facebook and follow the link you can vote for her as Kansas City’s Most Deserving Woman.
To Explore: Creative Ways to Have Fun in Your Own Backyard
Not everyone can afford to take a vacation every year. When we were saving for our home 17 years ago we couldn’t afford to take expensive vacations so we often took short road trips to St. Louis or Omaha. Sometimes fun can also be found in your own backyard it just requires a little creativity.
To Discuss: Worst Sunscreens
This photo from Pop Sugar literally expresses how I felt after I read their article on the worst sunscreens of 2016. I’ve used Neutrogena sunscreen for years and I believed it to be a trusted brand. After all it says #1 Dermatologist recommended suncare right on the bottle. Are you as confused as I am when it comes to what products to buy and enticed by sometimes false and fancy marketing? So here are the safest sunscreens for 2016 according to Pop Sugar, many of which I’ve never heard of. I’ve decided I’m taking my chances and using what I have. When it’s time to replenish I’ll look for the so-called safest sunscreens.
To Watch: The Right Way to Store Your Fruits and Vegetables
A friend shared this on her Facebook page awhile back and I think you’ll find some surprises in this video. Click on the link to access the video and keep your summer fruits and vegetables fresh and tasty.
To Reflect: Red Beet Eggs and Camping
I recently made a batch of adobe (aka red beet) eggs. They remind me of camping in the summer months with my family. My parents used to have a pop-up camper they pulled behind our green station wagon. We used to stay at KOA campgrounds along the East Coast at least once or twice during the summer months. Camping was never one of my mother’s favorite activities, but she was a trooper. I remember having these red beet eggs on many of our camping trips. If you like the flavor of beets you will love these eggs.
What are some of your favorite summer memories or what’s something you like to make or do during the summer months? Post a comment below.
I love that bathtub in the back yard. It is interesting, I am just now doing a bit of research on what plants I can grow here in Florida. I guess what I am curious about this week is Florida gardening! Sadly, I really don’t think a little backyard pond like that tub is not a great idea in Florida because I think the mosquitos would just turn it into a breeding ground…so more research into what plants will repel mosquitos! Have a great week, do something new for yourself, too!
Good luck with your research Chloe. Mosquitos love me so let me know if you find some great tips. Bats like to eat them, but you probably aren’t up for having a pet bat 🙂 Another tip I learned is to have fans blowing. I used to set up several fans on our deck when we had our house in the country and surprisingly this helps.
My absolute most vivid summer food memory is taking “lunch” to the field for my dad and uncle during wheat harvest. My mom always packed sandwiches and such, but I always in charge of making monster cookies, because my dad and uncle absolutely loved them. My dad always used to joke that as soon as my uncle would see our green station wagon (yes we had one too!) pull into the field my uncle would make a beeline for the car because he loved my cookies so much. Makes me giggle thinking about it.
I do make monster cookies often in the summer, but they have also become a favorite for all of Syd’s volleyball friends, so I really make them year round now.
:)Shelley
Thanks for sharing your favorite summer food memory Shelley. You are a wonderful baker and I would make a beeline for your monster cookies as well. They are delicious. My problem is it’s hard just stopping at one even though they are huge! Homemade cookies are a HUGE weakness for me. I hope you are having a great summer. One of Sydney’s favorite memories will probably be of those cookies as well.
Yum the peanut butter muffins sound so good let me know how they turn out. One of my goals for spring was to try to make a new recipe a week. It’s worked out very well so I’m going to continue this summer as well….kids are a little picky so we will see how it goes….. I voted for Deliece Hofen too…. amazing story!
I made the banana nut muffins. They are really good cold or warm. I little gooey in the middle but still good:)
Thanks for sharing Keri. I can’t wait to try them. I wonder if cooking them a little longer would help with the gooeyness?