Yesterday was a great day (minus the fact I wanted to claw my eyes out). I guess I’ll always love fall more than spring thanks to allergies. However, it didn’t ruin the day, and as always, thanks for hosting WIAW Jenn!
I’ve been craving a change of pace with our usual routine and decided to kick it off with breakfast.
I can’t tell you the last time I’ve had a green monster. I always think they are such a hassle, but they really aren’t. And they’re freaking GOOD. So good that I was coerced into sharing mine.
We filled the morning by making a quick stop to pick up some supplies for our Cinco de Derby party, which I’m getting pretty pumped about. We also spent an hour or so at Barnes and Noble. Is it just me or could you spend a million dollars in there? I wanted to buy Michael Pollan’s new book, Cooked, but I already purchased it through Amazon. I also wanted Shel Silverstein’s books, the Forks Over Knives Cookbook, a Melissa & Doug puzzle for Hailey and a subscription to Real Simple magazine. Thanks to a little self control, I left with none of it.
We made it home in time for lunch.
Hummus, spinach, avocado, sauerkraut and shiracha on rye.
Hear me out. I know this combo sounds incredibly weird, and it is, but it was surprisingly tasty. I bought sauerkraut this week to attempt adding more natural probiotics into my diet. Sauerkraut is a fermented food and is one of the few foods that contain Lactobacilli plantarum, a bacteria that has the ability to maintain health of the gastrointestinal tract, enhance the immune system functions, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits to the digestive system.
And luckily it doesn’t taste like I was expecting. It’s actually pretty OK tasting.
In the afternoon I grabbed a snack plate.
Red peppers, a pickle, string cheese, strawberries and bleu cheese dip
Then we were off to the gym.
Have I mentioned I’ve started back up Couch to 10k? I’ve been a little uninspired and unable to push myself with running lately, so I’m hoping this app will help me focus. Yesterday resulted in a pleasant wog of just over 3 miles.
Then, we went swimming! Or rather, splashing.
Our gym has an indoor pool, complete with an amazing walk-in kids area. It was Hailey’s first visit. Though hesitant at first, before long she was giggling up a storm, splashing and going down the slide like a champ. We totally need to add this into our routine.
Back at home David declared it happy hour and made us each a margarita. We followed up not long after with dinner.
Baby spinach and romaine, strawberries, red pepper, avocado, goat cheese and chopped roasted almonds with salmon.
I used yesterday’s carrot ginger dressing to marinate the salmon and it was awesome.
We spent the rest of the night making a playlist for our upcoming shindig. We like a wide variety of music, so the list is pretty varied. We have Old Crow Medicine Show to Michael Jackson and The Eli Young Band to James.
We’re going for a fun, laid back, mellow, good time vibe.
Have any song suggestions?
Lee says
I am the same way about green monsters, I always think it’s going to be such a hassle (mostly to clean the blender) but then it’s easy and tasty.
Let’s see, music. What about Mumford and Sons or the Avett Bros? And you can never go wrong, in my opinion, with some Dave Matthews, although I know there are others (namely my husband) who won’t agree with that statement!
katie says
I also hate cleaning the blender….otherwise I would have a green monster every morning! I like Mumford too, I recommend typing a band you love into Pandora, they always seem to have a good mix going!
Sabrina says
that salad looks gorgeous
Beth says
I got a Real Simple subscription for under $10 in January after my subscription from the previous year’s Christmas gift ran out. It is worth every penny!! If you have time, just cruise the internet for deals.
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, and Beers says
Yes! B&N has so much fun stuff. And that salad looks friggin gooood. (especially paired with a margarita…)
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I find green monsters to be the easiest thing to make in the morning! I may look a little crazy running around our tiny kitchen, but from start to finish, the process takes me about 3 minutes tops. Maybe that’s because Vishnu has clean up duty! 🙂
And Hailey is so cute! Love these pics!
Ali says
Did you seriously have spinach at breakfast, lunch and dinner? You could be the healthiest person I know!
Brittany Dixon says
I bought the big spinach container. I still have a ridiculous amount of it to use up. Green smoothies for all!
christina says
I love her little mint green pants! I have a pair to match! Ha. That salad looks gorgeous…your food always does!
Erin @Axell's Kitchen says
Stubborn Love- The Lumineers! I’m listening to it right now- it’s one of my favs!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I recently bought sauerkraut too and usually just eat it alongside a sandwich. Next time, I’ll put it ON my sandwich Brittany-style and see how it goes. 🙂
Beth @ Mangoes and Miles says
Hailey is SO cute! And your sandwich looks delicious. I’m a huge fan of sauerkraut but I can never think of anything that would taste good with it, so I just end up eating it plain.
Also, LOVE Eli Young Band. If you’re a fan of them, you should check out Love and Theft (If You Ever Get Lonely is one of my favorites, albeit lesser known. Angel Eyes is probably their most popular). They’re pretty similar to Eli Young Band in terms of sound, and they have some good songs!
Kimberly says
I absolutely love the picture of you two in the pool with her laughing. SO cute 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
That sounds a bit like me in B&N. I generally have great self-control, but often find myself scribbling down the names of books I want and then requesting that the library purchase them later. 🙂
OK, you are actually making me want to make a green monster for the first time ever. I’m getting SO close…
What a great idea to use the carrot ginger dressing as a seafood marinade. I bet that WAS delicious. Just like sauerkraut. [Hint: My favorite sauerkraut has a little sugar in it, so you might try just a dusting. With some caraway seeds if you have ’em. :)]
Also, I love how you said, “I know this sounds like a strange combination,” and I’m thinking, “Oh, wow, that sounds like what I want to eat right now.”
Verna says
I usually throw my blender in the dishwasher. Ha! Probably not good for it but it works. I need to start making green monsters again. I’m hoping to have A LOT of spinach from my garden this summer.
Kristen@Change of Pace says
I really wish we had a pool like that! So much fun especially when it gets hot this summer 🙂
Sarah says
Your smoothie sounds excellent! I signed up for a Love Your Greens challenge that’s starting soon, so I expect I’ll be getting my share of green smoothies soon. Adorable pictures of you with your daughter out by the pool!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I’ve been loving green monster smoothies lately too! They really are so easy and a great way to get in lots of produce and nutrients.
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
I always forget about green monsters, they are delicious and so versatile. I love your afternoon snack plate too, I think I will start setting one out for an after school snack for my crew.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Nothing beats a supercharged green monster! 🙂
Avery @ YoungAspirations says
Totally agree with you about Barnes & Noble. It’s like Target.. you can’t go in for just one thing! Love that app too! I’ve gotten out of running so I’m pretty much starting from scratch with the Couch to 5k app and I think it’s really helped me stay motivated because I don’t have to think so much.. haha. Clearly I’m just being lazy. But it’s helped a bunch! 🙂
Mike @ Midwestern Bite says
I terribly miss Sauerkraut. The Wife has strictly forbidden it in her house. And she’s 100% German. Now that I have a detached workshop, I’m thinking I can make it out there.
Party Playlist? This album is all you need, since it includes probably hundreds of songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6jFrMPibaA&list=PL1EB082DE62E5A03D
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Sauerkraut makes me sick. LOL.
Ashli @ The Sweat Revolution says
I love the addition of cinnamon in my smoothies!
As for music suggestions, I love Regina Spektor, but admittedly she’s not everyone’s cup of tea – but then again, who is? 😀
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug says
Your food pictures are wonderful! And your daughter has the most amazing eyes! TFS!
char eats greens says
That smoothie looks fantastic. I can’t wait to introduce Nia to green smoothies…and make her love them also haha
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