On hot summer days, nothing hits the spot like a delicious lineup of icy drinks and snacks to keep yourself cool. These refreshing and creamy Coconut Lime Ice Pops by my husband are the perfect treat to beat the heat! The ingredients take only moments to whisk together.
(These pops are not overly sweet as a personal preference, but could be very easily adjusted to have more sweetness if desired!)
Falling in between a lighter milkshake and a decadent smoothie, this sweet treat only requires 4 ingredients and makes for such a satisfying snack on a hot summer day! It’s thick and creamy while frozen and icy at the same time, all while packing a nutritional punch with lots of vitamins, protein, and fiber. (For additional creaminess, feel free to substitute a higher fat greek yogurt if that’s your preference!)
Perfect for cozy mornings, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a post-dinner treat, these Earl Grey lattes only require 4 ingredients and take a few short minutes to make! Simple and delicious, my husband is the expert when it comes to whipping these up in our house!
A few notes:
We personally used decaf so that we could enjoy them later in the evening, but traditional caffeinated tea will work wonderfully as well!
The quantities and sweetness are fully in your control depending on how you prefer your tea.
Lastly, if you don’t have any tools on hand to froth the milk, it is still very enjoyable when skipping this step!
Meal prep doesn’t get easier than this Greek Pasta Salad! Perfect for use as a ready-made side dish or main meal, this recipe takes only minutes to prepare and can last you all week long! The real best part is how customizable it is: If you have alternate vegetables you’d prefer to substitute, use them! If you want a bit more protein, add meat! If you enjoy extra cheese, add more feta. There are endless variations!
If experimenting in the kitchen isn’t your thing, fear not. I promise this particular ingredient combo will be a crowd-pleaser at your next summer cookout, potluck, or family dinner. No occasion? No problem! I love having this dish on hand for pre-made meals to go. It’s the perfect work lunch!
It’s packed with tons of colorful veggies for a nutrition bonus, and depending on the serving size the batch can stretch a long way!
Servings: 5 – 6 medium/large (or around 10 very small sides)
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and then set aside to cool off
Chop up the tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber into bite-sized pieces
Using a very large bowl, coat the cooled pasta in half of the greek dressing (Cooled cooking pots or baking dishes work well too. Choose whatever you have on hand.)
Add the chopped veggies to the bowl
Add the black olives and feta to the bowl as well
Add the remaining dressing and toss until all is evenly mixed
Add sea salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish with fresh parsley
Enjoy!
[Leftovers can easily be stored sealed/covered in the refrigerator.]
This 3 ingredient cheesy omelette is fluffy, filling, and super versatile! Add it onto your favorite toast, serve with veggies, or even enjoy plain if you like. It only takes 5 minutes to make!
This 4 ingredient smoothie is one of my go-tos for that post-workout time of day! I love how filling, creamy, and satisfying it is, all while packing a big nutrition punch! I’ve tried lots of variations including using different yogurt varieties as well as adding in extra Sunbutter when I’m looking for something more filling, so do a taste test and adjust the ratios to your preferences!
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
2 Cups Frozen Strawberries
3/4 – 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt (nonfat or full fat both work)
1/2 Cup Apple Juice
2 Tablespoons Sunbutter (or more if you want more of the “nut butter” taste!)
Directions:
Blend half of the frozen strawberries, the yogurt, and the apple juice in a blender
Once blended, add in the Sunbutter and second half of the strawberries and blend again
This fruity peanut butter combination is perfect on a hot summer day as a snack, light meal, or post-workout recovery treat! It’s nice and creamy as well as high in protein, fiber, and lots of colorful fruit. Nutritious and delicious!
If you find yourself within the vicinity of California’s central coast, Monterey is a must see! My husband and I recently took the 337 mile road trip from Los Angeles, and when you only have a weekend’s worth of time to spend, it can be overwhelming to decide which sites to see!
If you’re planning a weekend visit, I’d like to share everything we enjoyed to help you narrow down your list:
ACTIVITIES & DESTINATIONS
1) Whale Watching
This was a first for me! We used Discovery Whale Watch and saw tons of Humpbacks! (A word to the wise: If you struggle with seasickness in any way please do yourself a favor and bring a motion sickness medication such as Bonine. 4+ hours on the water can be a struggle if you’re not prepared!)
2) Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Whether you stop by to watch the sea lions engage with the passers by, enjoy some ice cream, or hit a restaurant, it’s a fun hangout at any time of day.
3) Carmel-by-the-Sea
This super charming city is straight out of a storybook. Walking the streets is enough in and of itself, but it’s also filled to the brim with fun shops, amazing restaurants, and beautiful beach views.
4) Point Lobos
You’ll want to save a whole day for this incredible park! It’s a very short drive from Monterey, and entry is free if you park outside the entrance and come in on foot (though the views are well worth the fee if you have to drive in). Between the incredible coastline, seal sightings, beaches, and tide pools brimming with life, you’ll never want to leave.
5) Monterey Aquarium
This one is a must! Whether you go as a larger family or attend solo, this aquarium has so much to offer from otters to penguins to crazy sea life from the deep. At the time we visited they also had some impressively informative information regarding plastics and microplastics and the detrimental effects on our oceans. It definitely inspired us to make more changes where we can!
DINING
1) Crepes of Brittany
Offering both sweet or savory, this restaurant is located right by Fisherman’s Wharf and offers very authentic French crepes. Their savory galettes made with buckwheat were delicious and substantial…Mine held me over until dinner!
2) Lalla Grill Del Monte
This casual dinner spot was a great find. Their heated outdoor patio was perfect for the weather and the fish tacos were out of this world! Their menu is super diverse and they have something for everyone.
3) Manasiri’s Crepes & Sandwiches
This is a great cafe for breakfast for lunch. The Greek salad was delicious!
4) Fandango
It’s a lovely special occasion restaurant. It’s more expensive but if you happen to be celebrating the food is delicious!
5) Abalonetti Bar and Grill
There’s a reason their calamari is famous! It was truly the best calamari I’ve ever had, and other reviewers all say the same. This seafood restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants out on Fisherman’s Wharf, and their outdoor patio was fun and super welcoming. Their Fish & Chips was also one of the best I’ve had.
6) Old Monterey Cafe
This place has everything on the menu you could think of for breakfast in a fun diner atmosphere. If you’re looking for pancakes bigger than you are, this is the spot!
7) Enzo
If you want to be transported to Italy, this is the place to go. Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, this was the perfect place to end our trip and to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of our Italian honeymoon. The owner and staff were wonderful and the food is an authentic treat!
I wish we could have stayed longer in this beautiful place, and we will definitely be back again!
We all need a few easy go-to dinners that require minimal ingredients, minimal time, and have crowd-pleasing flavors. This breaded lemon pepper chicken with oven roasted lemon asparagus on the side is exactly that! Easy, delicious, inexpensive, and full of fresh summer flavor!
(Of course if you’d like to prepare only the chicken or only the asparagus, take either part of this recipe and add it into your given meal of choice, but they really do pair wonderfully together!)
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
FOR THE ASPARAGUS
1 Bunch Asparagus (around 50 small/thin stalks)
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt (around 7 grinds or to taste)
Black Pepper (around 15 grinds or to taste)
1/2 Lemon
FOR THE CHICKEN
1 – 1.5 lbsBoneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Thinly Sliced (I used 1.4 lbs)
