Good morning and happy Monday, everyone!
I hope you all had a great week, fun Father’s day weekend, and are staying cool in this heat. Goodness, it’s hot here.🔥 I’m having one of those days where I have so much to do, but taking my time, and tackling the tasks gradually. I’m not sure if that’s a good work ethic, but it’s certainly good for my mentality. Putting my recaps together is one of my favorite things to do during the week, so I’ll just start here.
I don’t know how we got so lucky. The high was 70-degrees on Tuesday. Kyle’s friends were taking off in the morning, and he took the rest of the day off. I was excited to hang out, watch movies, go for walks, and spend some time relaxing with him.
I’m always up super early to walk the dogs. After their walks, I headed down to one of my new favorite coffee shops, Queen City Grounds, to pick up some coffee for myself and Kyles friends for their drive home. They have the most delicious drip coffee and the friendliest staff. I also picked up a Pure Bliss bar, which seems to be my latest obsession. Apparently, Leo likes them too, because he’s snuck into my purse twice now and succeeded with his robbery.
For breakfast, I had a cashew dairy-free yogurt with chocolate orgain protein powder. I’ve been mixing my protein powders with yogurt for a while now because it’s the tastiest combo. If you like chocolate pudding, you’d love this. This was the first time trying the Forager yogurt, and it was delicious! I always see them on sale at Whole Foods, so I may start buying them.
Around noon, Kyle and I took Grumples on a mile walk around the park. We couldn’t get enough of the weather.
After Grumples walk, we headed out on a separate walk with Leo. Taking them separately is an excuse for us to get more exercise, and it allows us to work on their walking skills individually.
On our walk back, I ordered a small decaf almond milk latte from Not Just Coffee. I don’t just drink coffee for the caffeine, I love the taste. There is something about having a warm latte or cappuccino that relaxes me. They are my comfort place.
Kyle and I spent the rest of the evening catching up on Handmaids Tale (omg so good.) I don’t even remember what I had for dinner, but I guess it wasn’t picture worthy.
I spent Wednesday morning working on my recap post. I usually do them on Mondays (like today) but didn’t want to absorb myself behind the computer while Kyle’s friends were here.
Around 10 am, I had Hint water, peaches, and ginger-pineapple apple cider vinegar. I’ve been drinking this combo for a couple of weeks now and it’s delicious!
I had plans to meet Ariel for lunch at 1:30 at Suffolk Punch, and I was so excited. I’ve wanted to try out this place for so long, and it definitely did not disappoint. It blew me away! I can’t wait to go back and try more of their menu. I can’t forget to mention the decor in this place either! Total goals.
I mentioned in my last recap post that Ariel is going to be working with me this summer for some fun new blog adventures. We went over some ideas, and I am so excited for this new chapter!
I only had a half cup of coffee Wednesday morning, so I surely deserved a little cappuccino. They had oat milk available, my favorite! They also had a macadamia nut milk that I’ll try out next time. Our waiter said that apparently in North Carolina, they’ve passed a bill that would make it illegal to call anything that doesn’t come from a hoofed animal “milk.” I found that pretty crazy! Imagine being arrested or ticked for asking for “oat milk.” 😆
Let’s get back to the food…
We started off with some tasty small plates. We ordered the summer veggie plate which is an assortment of fresh vegetables from local farms. We also ordered the seared yellowfin tuna (cooked to perfection) with mango-habanero puree and pickled fennel salad. Both dishes are gluten free and dairy free. I love how flexible their menu is and the food was out of this world! I could eat those two dishes every day for the next year and still want more.
I ordered the toasted quinoa salad as my entree. It came with toasted quinoa, broccolini, celery root, radishes, carrots, arugula, and grilled chicken with a side of sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. So basically all of my favorites!
After lunch, Ariel and I worked on a list of ideas and a schedule for the summer. We are developing some amazing recipes on Friday, so make sure to stay tuned!
We headed to the gym to workout together later in the evening.
We did an awesome 45-minute circuit together and talked about potentially filming one of these workouts each week. We’d love to do more of a “raw” version. I watch a lot of fitness videos on youtube, but I think it would be fun to see a workout happening where all the breaks, stopping, exchanging of smaller weights, and struggles are shown. That can easily be cut out or reshot, but it would be more relatable just to let the film run all the way through those moments. What do you think?
We were sweating and looking REAL GOOD after the workout!
We walked over to the new Whole Foods after our workout. The new Whole Foods in Uptown is so impressive! It’s made my obsession even worse!
I was showered and in bed by 9:30 on Wednesday night.
I spent all morning and afternoon working at Queen City Grounds coffee shop. I love to get out and reply back to comments with a latte 🙂 That always puts me in a good mood. While I was there, I tackled emails, finished up some editing, and sipped on a almond milk (I mean almond cream?) latte!
I had to head home to pick up some packages and check on my house. When I got this in the mail, I always cried because I was so happy! B.A. Paris is my FAVORITE author, and it was so sweet of her to send me this book. I’m already well over halfway through, and it’s great! I’m not surprised though.
I had Whole Food’s hot bar for dinner on Thursday.
I had smoked wings, zucchini, grilled zucchini and carrots, and leftover salad from Suffolk Punch.
I have been having some crazy muscle tension from playing so much tennis, so I decided to schedule myself a massage on Friday afternoon. I always go to Elements Massage in Southpark, and I highly recommend them! They are very reasonably priced and very professional.
On my way back from the massage, I looked in the mirror and was like “girl, you need a haircut.” I called Dolce Lusso to see if they could get me in last minute and they had an opening at 4:45 so I took it! I feel like it was fate because I met my match in the hairstyling world. If you need a place in Charlotte, go there and ask for Pinelopi!
I was so hungry so I stopped at Juice Bar to pick up a green protein smoothie! It had pineapple, banana, spirulina, coconut milk, extra plant protein powder (because I missed lunch), spinach, kale, extra ginger, and cucumber.
On Friday night, Kyle and I headed to 1900 Mexican grill for Meighan’s birthday dinner. I ended up falling in love with Topo Chico mineral water! I found out they sell it at Whole Foods, so I bought a couple bottles the next day. I don’t know why it’s so good, but you have to try it!
We weren’t super hungry, so we split the chicken fajitas. I woke up at 7 am on Saturday morning to walk the dogs around the city while Kyle slept in. I love weekend mornings in the city because it’s so quiet. I had a cup of coffee and some oatmeal before heading out for a fun morning of tennis.
Saturday morning tennis has become my outlet.
I look forward to it all week long, and my body was able to keep up with my mind, I’d play 24/7.
My partner and I (got matched up) played over 18 games and remained undefeated. We were on fire, and the energy of the group was so fun and contagious! I love that I’ve found a hobby that genuinely excites me. It helps me escape from EVERYTHING and allows me to relax and enjoy the moment.
I posted this grain-free/sugar-free vegan apple cinnamon spice muffin on my Instagram story a couple of days ago! I was shocked at how many messages I got, so I’m going to remake them tonight and post the recipe for you! The awesome part? They’re blender muffins.
Kyle and I headed out to the White Water center to meet Meighan and her boyfriend.
They have jazzfest on Saturday evenings, so the place was booming! If you’re ever in Charlotte during the summer, add this place to your list! I think Meighan and I are going to plan a day of activities here soon.
When we got back, we took Grumples on a mile walk in the city! He loves his night walks.
We ended up watching “Set it Up” on Netflix before bed, and it was so cute! The elevator maintenance man is my favorite character.
We headed out to my parent’s house to have breakfast with my parents for Father’s day early Sunday morning.
We had the best set up! We made paleo banana pancakes with blueberries, bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, and vegetable hash!
My plate had strawberries, peaches, melon, grapes, blueberries, pineapple, watermelon, vegetable hash, eggs over medium with extra eggs whites, and two blueberries banana paleo pancakes. And of course, syrup went all over this plate.
We hung out playing backyard games after breakfast.
My parent’s kicked our butts in cornhole (or bags.) My dad is annoying good.
I should have never bought him these boards. I think he secretly practices all day.
The dogs had their backyard fun as well 🙂
Around 3 pm, Kyle and I headed to the gym.
I spent an hour on the bike reading and having a conversation with the girl next to me.
AHHHHH this book is so good!!!!
For dinner, I made a tossed arugula salad with honey mustard vinaigrette topped with Brad’s plant-based cheddar crackers, roasted cashews, apple almond quinoa, and guacamole. This was such a delicious combo!
We ended Sunday night the best way…playing tennis!!
Questions for you!
- Do you have a favorite hobby that excites you?
- Have you ever made blender muffins?
- I’m making a list of “blog posts” to write this summer. What would you like to see?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
So many outdoor activities, it’s great to see you embracing summer, Taralynn! 🙂 My favourite hobby is just… well… blogging! I don’t do it as my source of income so it’s a past time and passion project for me. My favourite thing to do is writing. ❤️
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Charmaine!
It’s so hot here, so you have to embrace it no matter what! lol
I think it’s awesome you blog for fun! You’re so good at it!
Katie says
Hey, I’ve played tennis since high school, and I’ve also noticed that when I’m playing more often, I get some shoulder pain and muscle tightness. I took my racquets in to be re-strung and re-gripped- I hadn’t had it done in years, but I remember a few coaches telling me that you should have your racquets re-strung per year as often as you play per week. (Ex: if you were to play 3 times per week, get your racquet re-strung 3 times per year). When I talked to the guy doing the re-stringing about what I wanted, he asked if I had any pain while playing, and said the way my racquet was strung could have an effect on my shoulder. I went to play with the new strings and had NO pain whatsoever. I usually wouldn’t say anything to someone who just plays once in a while, but it seems like you play often enough that a change might help!
Taralynn McNitt says
Wow, that is great advice! Thank you so much! 🙂
I’ll stop over to the tennis shot this week and get it restrung!
xo
Meghan says
Whole Foods seriously seems amazing, I wish there was one nearby. In Green Bay we just recently got a store called Fresh Thyme, which seems to me like a Whole Foods, but on a smaller scale. The hot bar looks awesome! If I ever see one while traveling, I’m definitely stopping! My favorite hobby is kayaking, I love finding new places to go and how serene it is. I also love looking for wildlife while I’m kayaking, seeing river otters up close is so cool! I’ve never made blender muffins, but I just recently got a higher powered blender so it’s on my ‘to-do’ list. I would love the uncut workout videos! I love doing your circuits at the gym!
Taralynn McNitt says
Whole Foods is great but dangerous! I need to stop going in there frequently lol
I have been wanting to go into Fresh Thyme for so long! I know it’s a midwest thing.
Kayaking is so fun! I need to get one 🙂
Blender muffins are a new thing I’ve been experiencing with and they are so delicious!
So glad to hear you do my circuits!
Amanda|The Kitcheneer says
Love that you are so into tennis! My husband and I play occasionally and I am still getting the hang of it but we would definitely want to play more when we don’t have so many house projects! But I love challenging myself daily with crossfit workouts and pushing myself. I get in the “zone” and it calms my anxiety. I would love to see a “blog posts” post! Sounds fun!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Amanda!
Wish you guys lived down here so we could play together!
You’re so awesome at CrossFit girl and your journey is so inspiring!
Addison says
Hey!
I love your idea of filming a “real” workout. I think it would be really encouraging and I would definitely watch it! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Addison!
I think it would be fun!
Susie | Mile High Dreamers says
AHHHHHH I can’t believe B A Paris sent you that book! I LOVED the first two books you recommended from her and now I’m ordering the new one. They’re just SO GOOD. I read them so quickly and then I’m all sad once it’s over haha.
And I can’t wait to see the new blog adventures that you guys have coming!
So I was a competitive swimmer for 8 years, and then after I was 18 I stopped swimming for almost 10 years. Ben and I just started swimming again and I’m in love all over again! It’s so therapeutic and soooo much easier on my body. Running has just done a number on me and it wasn’t making me happy anymore because I was always in pain. I’m so happy I started swimming again!
Never made blender muffins but I’m a huge fan of blender pancakes so I’m definitely game! Everything is better if you can do it in the blender haha.
Recipes! Especially vegan recipes :). And I’m a huge fan of your DIY projects, I love the before and after pics!
Taralynn McNitt says
I was so happy when I got it! 🙂 It’s so good so I think you’ll love it.
That’s so great and swimming is amazing for the body! I was thinking about getting into swimming while I was staring down at the pool when I was up on the track a couple days ago. What a great thing to get into!
Lol I have to agree! Blender is so convenient.
Thanks so much for stopping by to read! xo
Savannah says
What was that book you were reading?
Taralynn McNitt says
I’ve been reading Bring Me Back by BA Paris!
Jessie says
I can’t wait for your blender muffin recipe!
Taralynn McNitt says
Coming soon!!
Linda @ the Fitty says
I’ve never tried hint water. Is it just water with flavoured Stevie?
And that coffee place looks so cozy! What else is on the menu? Can’t wait to hear your next recap when you go. There’s something about the aromatic smell that I love too, and I always buy decaf coffee. 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s just fruit infused water!
It tastes so smooth and refreshing!
Which coffee shop? The Queen City Grounds? Just little local bites with wraps and avocado toast!
Jessica says
Hey Taralynn, love your blog post, I love how in-depth you go with the information and those amazing pictures you take… SHEESH. Anyway, I was wondering about tips for losing weight, maybe I’m a little late to start since summer is almost here. So I found this website and this “amazing tea” to lose weight
My question is do you believe this to be legit? have you heard about this product? and do I even need it, to begin with? My goal is to lose around 10-12lbs in roughly 2 months and I want to add some things into my diet to fasten my results.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this and KEEP the blog posts coming!
-Jess
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Jessica!
Thanks for the kind words!
I don’t believe anything that says “fast results” or “tea” for weight loss. To be honest, if you don’t have any medical issues preventing you to lose weight, choosing healthy food, strength training, and long walks can help you stay on track. Weight loss isn’t about how many pounds you can lose in a certain number of days. It’s about creating a lifestyle that you can stick with, that doesn’t make you tired, that’s nourishing your body, and that’s giving you more energy! You can make small changes that make all the difference.
Don’t focus on the scale and just focus on creating a healthy lifestyle that you can follow:)
Denita says
It would be quite the re-training of words to change from “milk” now. But Almond Water, Oat Water, Soy Water is a more accurate description.
Definition of milk from google search: an opaque white fluid rich in fat and protein, secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young.
How to make plant based milk based on google search:
SOAK nuts, seeds, or grains by placing in a bowl with filtered water and a pinch of sea salt. …
BLEND with filtered water. …
SWEETEN the milk to taste with pitted dates, stevia, maple syrup, agave, honey, coconut sugar, etc. …
STRAIN Some foods like cashews, macadamias, and pecans yield smooth milks.
Not really anything I have given any thought to since they are milk alternatives and how would people have known years ago to replace “milk” with “nut waters”
Taralynn McNitt says
I definitely think it makes more sense to say water, but not as appetizing to the brain 🙂
Ali says
Okay but it’s not like the law makes it illegal for a customer to order oat milk… laws like this are for the companies/businesses/producers. Like it will theoretically be illegal for a company to offer oat milk for their coffee, because by the legal definition, the product isn’t milk. Do you understand that? You will not be the person in trouble. You will not be ticketed for ordering oat milk…
Taralynn McNitt says
I was just making a joke.
Kelsey says
OMG, Grumples and Leo smiling in the brunch pic is SO CUTE!!! That’s nice of you to make brunch for your dad! I made mine a steak dinner on the grill 🙂 My favorite hobby recently that really excites me is going to the local farmers market on Saturday mornings! I’m up at the crack of dawn and excited to see all that they have to offer that day. Even with foods I’ve eaten before, I like asking farmers different ways to eat/cook it. Also, this particular farmers market has a ton of dogs so I love to go and puppy watch haha. I’ve never made blender muffins but I’m excited to try! For blog posts this summer, I’d love to try to do another “book club” type of thing! I loved the first book we did, Behind Closed Doors. But I couldn’t get into A Man Called Ove for some reason. It’d be fun to try a new read 🙂 Do you have any trips planned for the summer?
xo Kelsey
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Kelsey!
They are the silliest! They know how to work for a treat 😀
I bet your dad loved the steak dinner! 🙂
That is a FUN hobby! I love doing that too, but usually make it in the afternoon!
OMG I couldn’t get into it either, but my friends are saying its really slow at first! I want to push through but now I’m stuck in more of BA PARIS books! You should read The Break Down by her!IT’S SO GOOD!
Noelia says
Hi!
I love your blog i always takes time from work to read it. I dont live in the U.S. but i got family in NC so im totally thinking on visiting them so i can check out the bucket list i’ve made reading your weekly recaps.
BTW you inspire the hell put of me.
Bye!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Noelia!
Thank you so much for stopping by and all the kind words!! xo xo
You definitely need to visit N.C.!
Jen says
I want to start playing tennis but find that all the community groups are for 3.0 and up levels. Do you have any tips?
Taralynn McNitt says
Try looking on Meetup for groups around you! I know there are some beginner groups in our area 🙂 Maybe start a new meetup group for beginners! xo
Theresa says
Do you ever do yoga?
Taralynn McNitt says
Sometimes!
Jessie says
What brand shoes are those in the picture of you walking Grumples?
Taralynn McNitt says
Aldo! 😀
Chelsea says
Is it humid in the carolinas?
Taralynn McNitt says
YES! lol
Anonymous says
What book are you reading/
Taralynn McNitt says
Bring my back by ba paris!
Anonymous says
Are you still friends with Becca?
Taralynn McNitt says
Lol yes, absolutely.
Marnie Scott says
I’m new to your blog….and got HOOKED by your tennis pics. i started 2 years ago when my son (12) did, so he would have someone to play with. 2 weeks later i was in a womens league. now i play 4-5 times a week…..crazy how things are out there that we just never tried. My son has since made the high school team, and can cream me;) love the food, pics, and of course tennis.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Marnie!!
That just makes me so happy to hear! How fun is tennis??? I’m so obsessed. It’s literally all I think about during the day! I can’t wait until it cools off here, but I hope to join a league eventually!
Congrats to your son!!
Amanda says
I live in Austin, TX and got hooked on Topo Chico when I moved here 10 years ago. I forget now that it’s not available everywhere and always miss it when I visit friends in the north east- good to know Whole Foods carries it!!!
I sometimes like to add a little sf raspberry syrup and splash of cream or nut milk for a yummy italian cream soda treat
Taralynn McNitt says
I don’t know what it is but that sparkling water is just so dang good!!! I was SHOCKED to see it at Whole Foods lol I will try adding flavor to it next time!! Great idea.
Alison says
Your smoothies always look so great!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Alison!
Cala says
I love your healthy food pics.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Cala!!
Tessa says
When does Fall come in the south?
Taralynn McNitt says
Usually November!