Happy Monday! Has everyone else been as occupied with the Nordstrom Anniversary sale as my family? Pretty much Christmas in July…if only they sold Lululemon…and food. When I rule the world I’ll make those necessary changes.
As for the rest of the weekend, despite some unforeseen circumstances, it ended up being great. A few highlights…
Weekend
My mom and I went kayaking Saturday morning. We have a double kayak but rarely use it (kind of a pain to get down to the water) but we really enjoyed it. **EXCEPT for the fact that we saw a shark. It was about 3 feet long but probably could have taken a few good ligaments off. We survived, to tell the tale.
I started reading Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (author of Gone Girl) and spent some time by the pool. The pool isn’t even that refreshing temperature wise but I went early enough that it was mostly manageable. I know there was a heat wave in 48/50 states this weekend, so chances are you felt it too!
I got a very necessary hair cut (and highlights). Ok, this was on Wednesday. Not technically the weekend. I’m back to blondish for the time being. I think haircut/foil pictures are just hysterical.
A family dinner out at a favorite seafood restaurant.
Sunday I took a photography class….Photography 101 Express. I bought a new lens in May but haven’t been using it much besides the occasional food photography for recipes. I’m a novice to the extreme and just play around and try to follow directions from a few sites. I think photography is a great life-skill and one I definitely underestimated learning!
Anyway, it was a four-hour class that went over a lot of the basics of manual shooting (ISO, aperture, shutter speed). I was hoping to dive more into lighting and composition but there are more classes for that. Still worthwhile information to discuss and put into practice.
Recent Meals
Like I mentioned last month, in lieu of ‘What I Ate Wednesday’ I will post a monthly recap of some favorite meals (that aren’t on Instagram).
All the food on the grill, surprise surprise. This was lemon + dill salmon in foil with carrots.
Grilled zucchini, summer squash and peaches.
This was incredible…peach and spinach stuffed chicken thighs. Not on the grill, just baked.
Lots of figs have been eaten this summer (I like them best with balsamic). This was baked rosemary chicken over mixed greens with figs and avocado.
Sweet potato toast! I should have baked/broiled the slices a little longer (no toaster) but it was still a pretty darn good snack. Both slices had almond butter, one with banana and one with blueberries.
Lots of smoothies, but not as many smoothie bowls as normal. Here’s one with a base of acai, strawberries and almond milk with coconut flakes, Paleonola, chia seeds and Artisana walnut butter.
A random (but typical) dinner: Crockpot shredded chicken with Dijon, zoodles, mixed greens and a baked Japanese sweet potato (the best).
And a very colorful lunch. I added chicken post-picture but it wasn’t done cooking. Mixed greens, shaved carrots, blueberries, avocado, strawberries, pumpkin seeds and the best flavor of kombucha.
Lots of fresh and colorful produce. No arguments from me.
I had the BEST salmon on Friday night…It was so FRESH and so good! Paired it with grilled asparagus and grilled romaine hearts. It was the perfect summer dinner!!! Love all your eats and your hair looks gorgeous! :)
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…Getting bACK Into The Routine
OMG #allthefoods. Want. All. of. them. That chicken, the fish, the grilled veggies, that bowl. Swoon.
I would love to take a photography class. You think YOU are novice to the extreme? Girl, I will beat you every time at my noviceness. EVERY TIME
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Hot Wet Race Weekend and Big 10k Giveaway!
that spinach and peach stuffed chicken looks incredible, actually all of your food looks incredible!
rachel @ athleticavocado recently posted…Grilled Sweet Potato Toast with Citrus Beet Avocado Salsa
I could benefit from a photography class- that’s a great idea! Glad you learned some stuff. Always a way to improve on photography. Um, a shark?! Good gracious I’d be out of that water right away! lol My mom has a kayak and LOVES it! We had a double last week at Deep Creek, too. Best thing I ate lately is the LARGE amount of food at dinners last week that I didn’t have to cook :)
heather @Lunging Through Life recently posted…Back from Vaca: Weekend to Catch Up
Can you come cook for me all the time pleaseeee?? But seriously. I have never been to a photography class but it is definitely something I want to do in the future. I feel like I have watched enough YouTube videos and tutorials to know the basics so I want to find something more foodie-oriented, but I am not sure how common those are haha
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…How to Prepare for Fall Racing Season
Your food looks AMAZING as always! Yum! How are you liking Sharp Objects so far? I loved it and want to see the upcoming series!
Gretchen recently posted…Seawheeze Half Marathon Training : Week 7
that sweet potato toast sounds amazinggg. What an awesome idea! I need to try throwing some bananas on my sweet potatoes topped with pb too
Alyssa recently posted…MHM 7/25/16: Am I disordered for wanting to eat healthy?
Ahh Sharp Objects is sooo twisted. I actually read that one before I read Gone Girl (and the other one, I can’t remember the name). I liked Sharp Objects better than Gone Girl, but I’ve always liked twisted writing like that. ;-) You should read Bittersweet if you haven’t already!
Your food is so pretty! I’m always inspired by it!!
Hope you enjoy your week!
Mollie Sweet recently posted…Pregnancy Workouts and Miles-19 weeks
Ahhhh a shark! There was a great white swimming around Jamestown last weekend so we didn’t really go near the water (although it also could have been a rumor, but I’m not taking my chances haha). I would have FREAKED out if I had seen one though!
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…Workouts 7/18-7/24
I’ve never taken a photography class before, but I’d love to! The peach chicken thighs look incredible. Where did you get the recipe? (Or is it yours?)
The best thing I’ve eaten lately is roasted fingerling potatoes. They’re all over the farmer’s market lately and they are SO good.
Claire @ My Pink & Green Life recently posted…5 Books about the Food Industry You Need to Read
Kayaking and Gillian Flynn books.. sounds like the perfect weekend:) Have you read any books by Kimberly McCreight?! I’m reading one called “Where they found her” and it’s so good. I cannot put it down. All of your meals are looking pretty delish too!
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Days in the Dells
I’m jealous of the kayaking!!! That is so fun totally want to try it! (Pretty exhilarating with a shark ;) )
I love how all the years I was taking photography in high school…we never actually learned HOW to use our cameras….
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…DIY All-Purpose Seasoning + Pantry Supplies Storage Hacks
Your meals always look perfect :) And I really want to take a photography class! I just play around a lot, and I know that’s not the most efficient way to do things at all…
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 07/22/16
Love your swimsuit!
All that food from the grill looks SO yummy! I’ve never tried making “sweet potato toast” but it’s a good idea. I’ll have to try when it’s cooler, all I want now is fruit and ice cream…
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…Weekly Workouts and Updates 7/18-7/24
STOPPPP I miss sweet potatoes and Kombucha soo much. No joke, I made a list yesterday of everything I’m buying at Whole Foods when I get back to the US in 11 days ;)
Oh that looks like such a lovely weekend. I’m jealous of the kayaking (not the shark bit though.) I love kayaking! It’s so peaceful and calm out on the water just floating around.
Also yay for haircuts! Since I’ve been back at university I haven’t cut my hair so it is probably looooong over due for a trim. I’ll have to get on to that one day.
Megan recently posted…Chocolate hazelnut biscotti
Cutest bathing suit in that top pic!!
I loveee kayaking so I’m totally jealous of your saturday morning! There’s no way I could ever convince my Mum to kayak with me :P
All of your eats look so summery and delicious!
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Baked Zoats
Sharp object is a great book. A bit rough to get through, but I enjoyed it. I like the darker themes throughout it. Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Julia @ Drops of Jules recently posted…Gaining Weight is Hard.
Your meals always look soooo good and have me craving fresh veggies and sweet potatoes! And they remind me how good fruit is on salads- yum!!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Atlanta Adventures
Any way to sneak in more fruit in the summer!