last day of june?! yikes. not sure where the first half of the year went..
today would be my pup mable’s tenth birthday. for those of you just joining us, mable is my old yellow lab. i shared her with my exboyfriend, who stole her from my house when i started dating marshall. i know, crazy. while on his watch, she was hit by a car and died in 2007. saddest day ever.
love you, mabes.
i ran out of pea protein yesterday. i know, the horror! i need to buy more. i decided to switch up my usual protein shake breakfast and had something new.
1/2 a cantaloupe + 1 cup plain chobani mixed with SF honey + sprinkle of ancient grains granola.
i can’t believe i went over 20 years insisting that i hated cantaloupe! i love it now.
i had to run home at lunchtime so i could put dinner in the crock pot, so i ate lunch at mi casa. it was a nice change from eating at my desk. and, on the upside, i got to see these furry faces:
turkey + spinach on wheat.
“gimme your sandwich, ma.”
that sandwich was kinda dinky, so i also had some pita chips + cottage cheese.
after a nice leisurely lunch with the pups, it was back to work. month end means a lot of busywork for me! sales tax, rent payments, bank reconciliations.. blah, blah, blah.
i was happy when it was quitting time!
bikram!
i am loving the fact that bikram yoga is back in my life. i have been going twice a week—hope to make it three times this week, though.
the only thing i hate about my new studio (which is a LOT closer to my house) is that the floors are carpeted. my old studio had hardwood floors. BUT, turns out, in order to be a legit, certified bikram studio.. you have to have carpet. WHY, BIKRAM, WHY? so gross. it definitely smells funky in the room, especially during the floor series.
i also hate the fact that i was having a really good hair day today and the sweatfest in the 105 degree room ruined that for me. oh well, you win some, you lose some.
because i went to bikram at 6:15, i didn’t get home until a bit after 8. luckily, i took care of making dinner at lunch time. thank goodness for crock pots, right?
taco soup. (click for recipe)
i love my taco soup—even in the hot summer months! i was skeptical when marshall asked for a crock pot meal, since it’s 82 degrees outside, but a dollop of plain chobani and avocado cooled it down a bit.
delicious.
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i am a sucker for holidays.. mainly because i love to make food that is centered around the holiday colors. red + green for christmas. black + orange for halloween. and, yep, red, white + blue for the fourth of july.
i have no set plans for the fourth yet, but i do know that i want to make my famous fruit pizza—flag style. i made a couple of these last year (one vegan, one not.)
my fruit pizza is easy! the crust is sugar cookie—you can buy premade dough or make your own. lay it out on a greased 11×17 pan, prick the dough with a fork a few times and then bake according to package/recipe directions. for the “sauce”, whip 12 ounces of cream cheese with 6 ounces of sweetened condensed milk and 1-2 tsp of vanilla extract. spread over the cooled cookie crust and top with fruit. for this patriotic treat, i used blueberries and strawberries.
for the vegan version, i used mama pea’s sugar cookie dough recipe for the crust and tofutti vegan cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla for the sauce.
here are a few ideas i found around the interwebs. click the title for the photo source and recipe!
red, white & blue potato salad.
white chocolate dipped strawberries.
i think it would be fun to get red, white and blue corn chips to serve with salsa for a fun and festive appetizer. i googled it and.. what do you know.. an image popped up!
[source.]
well, i think that’s enough patriotic food for one post. see you tomorrow.. i just might bring back flashback friday. no promises, though.
Qs~
1. based on the FOOD alone: what is your favorite holiday?
2. what is your favorite type of melon?
xo. janetha g.
Next Comments →
Okay talk about the cutest foods in the world!!!!
Cantalouppppe! Im obsessed! What a great breakfast. Im sure your sweet mable is smiling down at you. Such a cutie. I miss bikram. Def taking a class post baby. Glad im not the only one who loves summer soup. Happy friday (almost)
RIP Beautiful Mable. xxxxx
4th July seems like so much fun!!! I think I may make that fruit flag pie to celebrate my love for America. My boyfriend will be so impressed!
Sorry about Mabel. Such a sad story.
You aren’t allowed to have a fabulous hair day without taking a picture! Those fruit pizzas are so pretty. I’m going to a barbecue this weekend and I might just have to make one.
Two things: I never realized that Mable and Kaylee are the same age. That will be easy to remember! Miss that cute pup! Second, I gave you red, white and blue chips for your birthday just for the reason that you love patriotic food. Are you going to feature them?!
I need to. I am too busy eating the pita chips…
Aww, happy birthday to poor Mable. As a lab obsessed gal, I’m sure I would have loved to meet that cute pup. I love the book dog heaven and I read it every so often on days like this remembering my first 2 labs…great one. Thanks for all of the foodie 4th ideas and have a fabulous holiday weekend!!
Rip mable, I know how sad that is : ( so sweet though you remember mables birthday and celebrate still : )
Loving these recipes!!!!
I like Christmas best, always amazing cookies!!
I just posted a whole red, white, and blue post today too!
“BUT, turns out, in order to be a legit, certified bikram studio.. you have to have carpet. WHY, BIKRAM, WHY? so gross. it definitely smells funky in the room, especially during the floor series. “–
Girl. That is the #1 reason I have NEVER been able to get into bikram and why I will always be an ashtanga devotee. Because the room GETS hot thru the practice, organically, not cranked up to 100F+ right away. AND the floors…can be wood. And usually are. Love it.
And the chili/taco soup…omg that looks soooo good!
I don’t mind the heat–I am weird and LOVE it.. but the smell? ick.
loved all these red white and blue treats! totally posting them to my fb wall….
Poor Mabes – so sweet looking :(
That Randy – he has some of the funniest looks ever. I crack up every time I see a new pic. His expressions are a hoot.
I used to hate cantaloupe too (or so I thought) now I eat them all the time. I can take a whole one out with no problem! I love mine with cottage cheese – love that salty and sweet combo.
I have made the patriotic cake and trifles before but all those other foods are so adorable!
My fave food holiday, hmm that is hard because I love sweet potatoes/pumpkin and turkey for Thanksgiving, but I also love the fruit/grilled foods for Memorial Day and the Fourth!
I love ALL melons, including the not so usual ones, like a casaba, Crenshaw, Persian, Canary and Santa Claus! As long as they are ripe and sweet – I am there!!
So obviously, I can’t answer questions since I am too flaky to make up my mind!
that cantaloupe breakfast looks like heaven in each bite! love the idea cute girl!
Aww, sweet Mable. Big hugs to you on her birthday!!
Thanksgiving, hands down.
Watermelon. It tastes like summer.
CHRISTMAS, for the sugar cookies alone. Enough said.
taco soup looks and sounds amazing right now…i’ll do soup in mid-summer! ain’t no thang :)
I can not eat cantaloupe. Ever. For some reason I just don’t like them. I love themed food, it makes me so happy
July 4th is tops for food celebrations. Pretty sure I would bbq every day If I could. Burgers, apple pie, potato salad and watermelon? Yes please.
Oh sweet Mabel. I’m sorry, love.
My favorite food holiday has always been Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie!
My favorite melons are of the water variety. And the variety in my bra. (aka polka dots)
Happy almost Friday!!!
I love the variety in your bra, too. I mean…….
Ugh that story about Mable gets me every time. Horrid x.
I’m absolutely shocked that OSHA hasn’t gotten involved with the Bikram germfest. Seriously, dental offices can’t have any carpet, so I’d think that with people pouring sweat out of their pores on the the carpet, OSHA would care??
THe photo of the two dogs- priceless and I swear Penny looks younger?!
Oh my gosh–I should call!
Deb took the words right out of mouth. My jaw drops every time I hear that tragic story. Hoping Mable is rolling around in doggie Heaven.
I have to say that the blue sugar is freaking me out a bit. I told Chris he needs to check my sanity if I start making 7-layer dip in a flag design. Oy.
Have a fab weekend!
ditto to what deb and tiff said! She my millie are having a ball…or a bone a guess….
I think its funny people assume red white and blue is “american”. Like, why not dutch or french or british?
My favorite food holiday is Flag day. I love me some good flags!
I bet people in Britain see red white and blue and think “British” though, right? Let’s ask Derek.
Cantaloupe is defo my fave melon. LOVE it.
My fave holiday based on the food… We don’t have many major ones here that have a heavy food theme. I guess St David’s day would be my fave (patron saint of Wales). I’m biaised tho coz I’m welsh and I love welsh cakes! :)
I didn’t have a Welsh cake when I was in Wales! Now I am bummed.
My Pop used to do that with
His cantelope except he would put scoops
Of ice cream( usually butter pecan) in the middle.
I definitely love Thanksgiving food. It’s
The most consistent.
I love cantelope and watermelon. I never seem
To get a sweet honeydew:-)cc
Oh my gosh those desserts/foods are so cute! Based on food alone, I think my favorite holiday would be thanksgiving- or my birthday :)
sorry about mabel, j – i didn’t realize some of those details and that is just too sad.
on a happier note: GLAD you’ve got bikram going again although CARPET?? ew!!! i am going to do a bikram class SOME TIME in 2011 – will have to see if our local studio does the carpet thing…i sure hope not.
LOVE themed foods!!! your flag cake is amazing! i think hallowe’en is my fave occasion to do colour-themed treats.
love cantaloupe and honeydew but they have to be GOOD ones – a bad melon is the worst!
have a great friday!
Awww, Mabel! :) What a sweet memory.
You have made me in the mood for taco soup now and all of those 4th recipes look great! I am loving the toast idea! :) Too cute.
I loved this post! I’m a sucker for theme related food too :)
hard to pick a favorite but the united shakes of america come awfully close.
The best food holiday is my birthday! A. because I get to choose what the meal is and B. I can overdose on birthday cake and not feel bad about it :)
I love all your patriotic ideas. Today is Canada Day where I am from and I can’t wait to get into the kitchen and back some Canada Day cupcakes. Now I am thinking that may not be enough… thanks for some great ideas! Maybe I will celebrate Monday too!
My yoga studio used to have carpet but it moved to a new, custom-made building and now has cork floors (eco-friendly, not smelly, and holds heat well). They are fabulous for hot yoga. I wonder if the floors are why they can’t call it Bikram anymore at my studio…???
Cork sounds intriguing!
i love the 4th of july inspired foods! they look so delicious! :)
based on food, my favorite holiday is easter! lots of berries, ham, gravy, mashed potatoes….. yum! :)
Aw, I’m sorry about Mable. That is so sad. :(
I love all of the 4th of July inspired eats! Some of them are so cute and festive! :)
My favorite type of melon is most definitely cantaloupe! Love it!
Haha, 4th of July toast is hilarious (and very pretty). I am DEFINITELY making your dessert pizza this weekend. You can take me up on it ;)
i’m 99% sure that trader joes sells 4th of july themed chips!
I am 100% sure that doesn’t help ME. Ugh. Stupid TJs.
I am making guac for a party on Monday and I need to get those red/white/blue chips. That will be perfect!
Based on the food — I love Thanksgiving. Nothing beats sweet potato casserole, turkey, green bean casserole and crescent rolls. And pumpkin pie.
Wow, I though my Fourth of July food was creative, but some of this stuff is amazing! I’m going to have to up my game!
My favorite holiday by food is any holiday in which there are pierogi (which, in my family, are all of the major ones). Best. Food. Ever.
Haha! I love all of these patriotic foods! It’s putting me in the 4th of July mood!
I agree the carpet makes the bikram studio smell funky. But I actually like it because I’ve been to a studio that had wood floors and I would slip EVERY time in triangle, standing separate leg stretching, and standing separate leg head to knee since your feet are on the wet floor during these poses. Plus it’s hard to exit the studio without stepping in other people’s puddles of sweat (ew!). At least the carpet absorbs and disguises it a little.
At the hard wood studio, we would turn to the left to do those poses, so we were still on our mats the whole time. That’s how I started out.. and so now that my new place steps to the side (probably how it is supposed to be done) I HATE it.. because I am not used to it and I hate stepping on the soggy carpet. Ick
Love all the seasonal food! It definitely put me in the mood to celebrate the 4th. Actually, you know what I’m going to do to celebrate? I’m starting Insanity! After reading your review and doing some research online, I took the plunge and bought the DVDs. I’m staring the 60 day challenge this Sunday. I’m nervous but also really excited! I might hit you up with questions or just to complain about it’s overall badass-ness (yes, that’s a word).
Have a great weekend!
Yeah! Go you!
I love the trail mix bark and taco dip! I always want to make a flag cake with berries, but somehow, it’s never in the cards. Happy Friday. xoxo
aw happy birthday to Mable. She looks like she was the sweetest.
Yeah, I would worry about ruining a good hair day with bikram too. Heat and I are not friends!
I may have to make your fruit pizza for the 4th with my fam. YUM!
I think based on food alone, I have to say Christmas. My mom and aunt make this killer lasagna together. My mom makes the sauce and my aunt makes the pasta sheets from scratch. It’s soooooo good! The pasta melts in your mouth. I also make a pasta bake with mini meatballs (my paternal grandfather’s recipe just in smaller bite sized pieces) which isn’t too shabby either. And it’s also a requirement for me to make my paternal (mind you this is my mom’s side of the family) grandmother’s garlic cream cheese dip, and for my mom to make her famous cesar salad.
And for the short answer, my favorite melon is watermelon, hands down!
On food alone, St. Patrick’s Day. Corned beef & cabbage is my JAM. Thanksgiving is a close second, because I looooove stuffing & mashed potatoes!
I don’t really LOVE any melons, but I guess honeydew. Sometimes I really like watermelon with salt on it!
What adorable red, white and blue food ideas! I think I may make one or two… or five of those this weekend haha
Happy birthday, Mabel!! I’m sorry you can’t celebrate with her, Janetha. :(
My favorite food holiday is Thanksgiving. MAJOR carb overload, and I’m in the happiest food coma ever!
Wow, your 4th of July food creations are awesome! I am so inspired now! I have the blueberries and strawberries already, and some red velvet cake mix…I think i’m gonna make some white frosting and do flag cupcakes ;)
I so hate it when I have a good hairday and have to ruin it with a sweaty workout…oh well though, it serves a higher purpose, right?
Hope you have a happy 4th!!
Oh MY! That food looks so festive and delish!
I hate having a good hair day (or actually washing it. hah,) and having it ruined by exercise….the things we do!! Seriously.
I make fruit pizza every year, too. It’s so good!
favorite holiday for food = christmas (solely because of the cookies)
I prefer my melon of the water variety. I actually hate cantaloupe and honeydew. I wish I didn’t though – they look so fun to make cute little edible bowls out of!
just scoop out a bit of the watermelon first ;)
I love Bikram, but HATE the carpet! It is NASTY!!!!! Our two local studios recently switched to bamboo floors. (I think they did it without telling, after years of the carpet). It’s so much better!
I may just have to make that potato salad, that is awesome!
Thanksgiving hands down for the pumpkin pie, rolls, and stuffing!
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