My favorite monster

We spent yesterday afternoon lounging by the pool in the sun. This little man makes everything more fun!

so bright!

one of my favorite things to have for lunch is a warm salad. I create salad "monsters" on a daily basis. I love heating up turkey meat and veggies to put on top of salad greens. Somehow heating makes the flavors even more pronounced. Yesterday I warmed up some zucchini and turkey in a skillet and put it on top of spinach along with hummus, soft goat cheese, toasted hazelnuts, and avocado. So delicious and so easy. Try making your own today!

Things Im loving lately

Fall is in the air once again here in Washington. It has been warm and sunny this week but even so the leaves are beginning to change and there is a crispness to the air that wasn't there a few weeks ago

Here are some things I have been loving lately:

Kombucha is so refreshing and healthy. Packed with probiotics it is a perfect alternative to sugary sodas and juices. This is my favorite brand, with guava, strawberry, and bilberry being some of the tastiest

 Essie  nail polish is my favorite. Winter, spring, summer, I'm always on the lookout for a good pink nail polish and Essie always delivers. Not only do they have tons of awesome colors, theirs is the best nail polish I have ever used. Unlike most other brands it doesn't get thick and goopy and it doesn't dry with those annoying air bubbles on the surface. Each coat goes on smooth time after time and dries with a shiny finish

 This stuff is magical. It is a deep conditioner that smells amazing and leaves your skin soft and moisturized. I've been loving it!

 A classic: apples and almond butter. The difference here is that it's honey crisp time in Washington and this new almond butter I've been getting from Trader's makes the combination even more irresistible than usual

Last but not least Maybelline The Falsies mascara. I have used the same mascara for years and decided on the fly to try this out. Love it. It provides volume and length without clumping which is a must. Bonus: its cheap. $7 at target which is a win in my book. The only negative that comes with using cheap mascara is that it needs to be replaced every couple of months or so

What are some of your favorite things?

Happy half birthday to Lew

Lewis turned 6 months last Saturday while we were in Colorado visiting family and friends. At 6 months he is a flying pro

He grew and changed so much just in the short time we were in Colorado. He learned to sit up by himself

His two newest teeth are becoming more and more pronounced

and he is actually enjoying his stroller!

We had a great time with family 

its good to be back home in Washington. We are all looking forward to getting some rest after our travels this summer

Spicy love

Im in love

I mean, with these two its a no brainer

Now on to my other, spicier love. Somehow I had forgotten just how much I adore chili garlic sauce until Jeff brought home a bottle the other night. Its like sriracha's more flavorful and delicious cousin. I'll never let a day pass without having a bottle in the house again!

Put it on eggs, chicken,fish,ground turkey, you name it. I marinated some salmon in it last night: little olive oil, lemon juice, chili garlic sauce, and soy sauce and you're good to go. One of our favorites is ground turkey cooked with chili garlic sauce and soy sauce.

Flying high

Our weekend was filled with fun and adventure! Saturday morning we drove over to Snohomish for some skydiving. We were happily surprised they had a parachute tiny enough to fit Lew! Juuuusst kidding, not till he's at least16;)

The parachutes are tiny pinpricks of red,white,and blue. Almost too tiny to see!

I never thought I would be interested in jumping out of a plane but watching Jeff do it definitely made me want to go some day! 

After a quick lunch we packed up again and drove north to meet up with Heather and Eric to take a tour of the USS Nimitz. Such an amazing tour!

These are the chains for the anchors. Each link weighs over 300lbs and the anchors themselves weigh 60,000!

The never ending hallway

so great to see uncle Dennis and aunt Phyllis too!

memorial day fun

We had such an amazing Labor day weekend! We picked blackberries, talked with friends, ate delicious pastries, watched movies, baked, and brewed.

Lewis was crossing his fingers, hoping that Jeff would remember to take him out of the pot before boiling the water...

Just started crossing his fingers last week! So funny and cute

It was so nice having Jeff home on Monday. He brought us some yummy pastries from a french bakery nearby and starbucks for breakfast. We were able to go on a family run which we have been doing more and more frequently, he and Lewis swam in the pool, and we were able to just relax and enjoy the beautiful weather we've been having. I can't think of a more perfect day! So thankful to be able to spend it with my two favorite boys

Blackberries for Lew

Saturday was a beautiful summer day so we decided to head outside to pick some blackberries! The title of this post is somewhat misleading as Lewis didn't actually get to eat any of the berries...more for us!

They were so delicious: sweet and juicy, very unlike blackberries from the store. Lewis was in the Ergo on my back for the first time and seemed to enjoy it.

It is still amazing to me that fruit like this grows so abundantly here in Washington. Such a blessing to have access to such yummy food. 

I cooked up our bounty on Sunday along with some fresh rhubarb and plums. Thank you Karin for inspiring me to bake! I whipped up these delicious tarts Sunday afternoon, they were amazing. 

Rhubarb blackberry

Rhubarb plum

Blackberry Rhubarb tart
preheat oven to 400

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups rhubarb
• 1.5 cups blackberries
• 7 Tbs brown sugar
• 1 Tbs meyer lemon juice
• zest of lemon ( I used meyer but any kind will work)
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeded
• Pastry puff dough / pie dough - I didn't have the time or desire to make my own so I used pepperidge farm puff pastry sheets

Cut your rhubarb length wise down each stalk and then into 1/2 inch cubes. Combine rhubarb, blackberries, sugar, and vanilla bean + seeds in a heavy bottomed pot. Cover and heat on low for 15 minutes until the rhubarb has released some of its juices. 

Prepare crust by either unfolding (puff pastry sheet) or rolling out and setting in a lightly greased pie dish

Uncover mixture, add lemon juice + zest, and increase heat to medium and cook for 15 more minutes until the mixture has thickened. 

Discard vanilla bean pod and pour into the prepared pie crust. Bake at 400 for 30 -35 minutes or until the crust becomes golden brown on top 

Variation: Rhubarb plum tart

• 1.5 cups Rhubarb
• 1.5 cups plums
• 7 Tbs brown sugar
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeded
• Pastry puff dough

Follow directions from above!

These would be delicious served with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or whipped coconut milk!

To whip coconut milk: place a can of full fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight. Drain liquid from the top and whip all the yummy leftovers just like you would cream! It has such a great flavor. Here is an awesome tutorial if you need pictures!

Mexican hot chocolate green smoothie

light and chocolatey with a hint of cinnamon and spicy cayenne pepper, this green smoothie is the perfect refreshing treat for a lazy September day. 

Mexican hot chocolate green smoothie

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup kale
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1 cup chocolate almond milk (or chocolate milk)
• 4 ice cubes
• 1/4th tsp cinnamon
• pinch of cayenne pepper

Throw it all in a blender and blend away! Add more milk or water if needed