With summer heat in full swing, our family meals have shifted primarily to salads. We’ve ditched the bread to shed a few extra pounds and keep up our energy in the frenetic existence that has become our daily life. With all of this salad-making going on, sometimes I need some inspiration and I’m sure you do to! I’ve collected some of my favorite healthy summer salad recipes here and on my Pinterest board to share.
Between working (more) than full time in my husband’s new business, raising a toddler, blogging, keeping up the house and cooking nearly every meal we eat from scratch, I barely have time to rest. That’s where salad-making comes in. It saves me a lot of time because all I have to do is prep. There’s usually very little cooking involved and a salad goes a long way in using up all of the fresh veggies and fruit I keep on hand.
Do I sound a little stressed? Omg, I am. Here I am wanting to write lovingly about healthy summer salads and all I can think about is how I’m going to fit in my grocery shopping for the week in-between my son’s nap, some unexpected dinner guests—and dinner. I have to cook dinner!
Which brings me back to how awesome these healthy summer salads are. I can do a quick sauté of some shrimp, throw a bag of organic salad greens in a bowl, dice up some veggies and fruit and I’m done. The extra bonus is that I still feel full of energy after eating even though I only slept five hours the last few nights in a row. That’s important.
It doesn’t matter whether you enjoy these gorgeous, healthy summer salad recipes on a carefree day at the pool or sitting in a cubicle at the office. What matters is you enjoy the food you eat, and you take that short time to really be thankful for the delicious, fresh produce of the season. Enjoy!
All images used with permission and copyright of their respective blogs and blog owners.
Now that I’m a mommy, Mother’s Day takes on a whole new meaning. Mother’s Day is now one of my favorite holidays and even though my little guy is too young to understand what it’s all about; I still feel special.
Just being a mommy is special.
One thing I didn’t expect when I became a mommy was how I’d never sleep in again. Like most moms, my sleeping-in days are over, which is why on Mother’s Day, one of the very best things you can do for a mom is allow her to sleep in–brownie points for making her an amazing breakfast while she’s sleeping.
What’s better than breakfast in bed?
Breakfast in bed is a really sweet way to show your favorite mom just how much you care. Even if mom doesn’t get to sleep in; she will appreciate a breakfast cooked just for her to start a very special Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is a great day to get together with family. Invite the in-laws and get the kids involved in creating a special day for the most important people in our lives. Moms are special because they value the simplest gestures that show how much you care. So this Mother’s Day, whether you are serving breakfast in bed or just helping to cook some delicious Mother’s Day recipes, take a moment to show mom how much you love her. Surprise mom with a special treat this Mother’s Day with breakfast cooked just for her.
In the spirit of all the hard-working moms this Mother’s Day, I gathered together some of my best breakfast and brunch recipes, plus some favorites from my fellow bloggers to help you celebrate your favorite mommy.
— and don’t forget to do the dishes!
ABOVE IMAGES (clockwise from top)
Eggs Benedict with Arepa, Roast Pork & Cilantro Hollandaise from Love and Duck Fat
Coconut Quinoa Breakfast Porridge from Love and Duck Fat
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins from But She Can Bake
Chocolate Chip Banana Breakfast Cookies from Love and Duck Fat
Asparagus and Bacon Quiche from Love and Duck Fat
French Toast, Roasted Strawberries and Tarragon Cream from Love and Duck Fat
French Toast with Burrata and Sliced Peaches from Love and Duck Fat
Sweet Potato Biscuits with Sausage Gravy from The Egg Farm
ABOVE IMAGES (clockwise from top)
Gruyere, Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Quiche from Love and Duck Fat
Garlicky Goat Cheese Grits from Cooking and Beer
Soft-Boiled Eggs with Asparagus Soldiers from The Clever Carrot
Breakfast Flatbread Pizza from Modern Skillet
Strawberry and Cream Crepes from GI 365
Sunday Buttermilk Waffles from American Heritage Cooking
P.S…a little note to my family: I wouldn’t mind waking up on Mother’s Day with any one of these delicious recipes! They all look so good.
Which one would you like to wake up to? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!
Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner. This is one of those holidays we celebrate without knowing what it’s all about (in my circles, at least). We usually tip back a few Mexican beers and shout a half-hearted, “Happy Cinco de Mayo!” as the total of our festivities. After a little search on Wikipedia, I dug up a few things I didn’t know about this Mexican holiday.
Did you know any of these facts about Cinco de Mayo?
Since this is my first year with a food blog, I have a pitiful lack of Mexican recipes. I tend to cook more Latin/Caribbean recipes because of my Miami roots. Even so, we celebrate Cinco De Mayo in our own way.
Here’s a little wrap up of the Latin and Mexican recipes I’ve posted so far, along with a few favorites from my blogger friends. I hope these inspiring Cinco De Mayo recipes get your ready for a margarita and a hearty Mexican meal. Enjoy!
TOP GROUP
Top Left: Margarita Cookies from Noshing with the Nolands
Top Right: Mexican Grilled Corn (Elote) from Confections of a Foodie Bride
Middle Left: IXA Organic Tequila Paloma Cocktail from Culinary Ginger
Middle Right: Smoked Salt and Goat Cheese Padron Pepper Tacos (Vegetarian) from Love and Duck Fat
Bottom: Roasted Potato Cups with Loaded Guacamole from She Likes Food
BOTTOM GROUP
Top: Breakfast Nachos from Runway Chef
Middle Left: Cuban Sandwich Crostini from Love and Duck Fat
Middle Right: Latin Picadillo from Love and Duck Fat
Bottom Left: Arepa, Roast Pork Eggs Benedict with Cilantro Hollandaise from Love and Duck Fat
Bottom Right: Pork Carnitas Tacos from Love and Duck Fat
All images copyright of their respective blog owners.
How do you celebrate Cinco De Mayo? I’d love to know! Please share in the comments below.
I have a background in art (check out my oil paintings here), and still get a little excited every year when Pantone releases their color of the year. The Pantone color of the year for 2014 is called, “Radiant Orchid.” It’s a shade of purple with a little touch of pink. The folks at Pantone describe Radiant Orchid as, “magical, warm and intriguing—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”
Come to think of it, there’s an orchid blooming in my backyard that matches perfectly.
While I’m not usually a purple person, I do have to admit I like THIS purple. It’s a fresh color for spring and I could see it paired with a palette of pale green, gold and white.
You can find this color in everything from fashion to home goods and paint colors (well, it IS a paint color) this year; including desserts! I rounded up some of my favorite, gorgeous purple-y desserts from across the blogosphere in shades of Radiant Orchid to celebrate this beautiful color in time for spring.
Top left: Vegan Radiant Orchid Alfajores from Vegan Miam
Top center: Blueberry Pie with Purple Crust from Delight Dulce
Top right: Purple Ombre Mini Cakes from Glorious Treats
2nd row, left: Purple Ombre Cake with Blackberry Compote from Oh Sweet Day
2nd row, center: Pantone 2014, Radiant Orchid Paint Chip Cookies from Bake at 350
2nd row, right: Purple Sweet Potato Mont Blanc from Little Accident in the Kitchen
3rd row, left: Lavender Rose French Macarons from I Sugar Coat It
3rd row, center: Purple Candied Apples with Tutorial from The Kitchen McCabe
3rd row, right: Swirly Sugar Cookies from Heather Sweets and Treats
Bottom left: Grape Jello Shot Cupcakes from That’s So Michelle
Bottom right: Lavender Panna cotta from Eva Tenova
I hope this collection of 2014 Pantone color of the year desserts inspires you to take on this color in your cooking, wardrobe or home. What do YOU think of Radiant Orchid? I’d love to know!
