I can’t believe it’s Monday already.
To be honest, I wasn’t planning on writing a recap post this week. But after years and years of recaps, I can’t quit you. Today, I’ll be sharing what I ate this week and a couple of other things in between. A small recap post is better than no recap, right? 😉 Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing part one of my weekend trip to Asheville. The gorgeous bed and breakfast we stayed at and the adventures at the Biltmore both deserve their own posts. Plus, I took like 1000+ photos and videos…
I wish I was writing this blog post from that big porch overlooking the mountains this morning. What a dream it was.💜
Lately, I’ve been feeling very stuck in a rut. I’ve been finishing a lot of projects around the house, walking the dogs, playing a lot of fo tennis, but I needed a change of scenery, even if it was for a night. I’m easy at falling into a routine, but it’s important to step out and do something different. This little getaway helped my mood and inspired me to step out more. I feel refreshed today and can’t wait to start planning more getaways in the future. It’s good to get away when you’re life is feeling “stale.” It doesn’t have to be some big luxurious vacation, just a change of scenery can do the trick.
My meals weren’t very pretty this week, but they still tasted great. I managed to hit the gym four times this week with Kyle in the evenings, which was kind of relaxing. I listened to some podcasts, and just walked the treadmill at an incline for an hour.
**Disclosure**Not everything I ate this week is on the blog. I take a lot of photos, but not of everything little thing that goes into my mouth. Sometimes, my dinner consists of me standing in the kitchen eating three hard-boiled eggs, a handful of nuts, and yogurt out of the container.
Matcha Banana Protein Smoothie: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 frozen banana, 1 scoop Orgain vanilla bean plant-protein powder, and two teaspoons of unsweetened matcha green tea powder.
Shredded romaine mixed with Primal Kitchen Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, avocado, ground turkey with taco seasoning, and six sauteed eggwhites with hummus.
Whole grain rice cake with organic creamy peanut butter topped with blueberries. I usually have this in the afternoon with an almond milk cappuccino.
Chocolate banana protein shake: one frozen banana, one cup of unsweetened almond milk, one scoop chocolate Orgain fudge brownie protein powder.
Sauteed shishito peppers, sugar snap peas, sauteed chicken, shredded romaine, sunflower seeds, Primal Kitchen Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. The chicken was cooked in sesame oil, low sodium gluten free soy sauce, and chopped garlic.
Creamy 3-ingredient (2 if you don’t count the water) chocolate covered strawberry smoothie: 1 cup of frozen strawberries, 1 scoop chocolate Orgain fudge brownie protein powder, and two cups of ice water.
Two fried eggs topped with paprika and red chili flakes. Sauteed broccoli, onions, peppers, and sweet potatoes with avocado slices. 
Kale and arugula tossed in Primal Kitchen Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, jalapeno chicken sausages, salami slices, and a pickle. This is the type of dinner I eat when I’m craving salty foods during my time of the month.
Dinner in a jar: twelve ounces of unsweetened almond milk, one cup frozen strawberries, Orgain vanilla bean plant-protein powder, and topped with Apple Pie (grain free granola) PaleoNola, dairy-free dark chocolate chips (Sunspire), and shredded coconut.
Shredded romaine with Primal Kitchen Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, blueberries, five eggwhite omelet, steamed sugar snap peas, and taco-inspired hummus. 
Last week, I asked which online stores you like to shop at the most. You all recommended Chewy for the dogs! I got my first shipment, and I’m in love! I bought the dogs joint chews (much cheaper than the vet’s), ear cleaner, treats, and toys! It was delivered in one business day, and I saved a lot of money on their products. Thank you!
Unsweetened coconut milk yogurt (SoDelicious brand) mixed with Orgain vanilla bean plant-protein powder and unsweetened matcha green tea powder topped with Apple Pie (grain free granola) PaleoNola and dark chocolate chips.
No Cow peanut butter chocolate chip protein bar, beef jerky, and Hint water! (on the go low carb // high protein snack!) Don’t forget to enter the picnic basket + snacks giveaway! It ends on Wednesday! ❤ link here
I made peanut butter oatmeal protein balls and chocolate hazelnut protein balls 💜 They are so good. The peanut butter protein ball recipe can be found here, and the chocolate hazelnut protein balls can be found in the recap video attached to the bottom of this post!
A delicious creamy cappuccino made with Dharkan Nespresso pods and New Barn barista-style almond milk.
Lots of smoothies this week! Twelve ounces of unsweetened almond milk, one cup frozen raspberries, Orgain vanilla bean plant-protein powder, and topped with Vanilla Cinnamon Grain-Free Granola.
Friday was trip time!!!!
I packed some of my protein balls and made a smoothie for lunch while I got my car’s oil changed.
Smoothie: twelve ounces of unsweetened almond milk, a half cup of frozen raspberries, 1 cup large peaches, Orgain vanilla bean plant-protein powder.
I packed fruit for my mom and me for the road trip up. We got caught in some traffic jams, so it took a bit longer. Raspberries and pineapple go great together.
(I’ll share the trip eats in the next posts)
On Saturday night, I rushed back from Asheville to make it to Meighan’s send-off party. It hasn’t hit me that she’s moving to D.C. yet. I’m looking at this as a new chapter, and instead of being sad, I’m looking forward to our long walks in a new city, exploring brunch spots, and visiting her as much as I can. She’s going to do so well in D.C., and I’m really happy for her. ♥️
I spent most of my Sunday walking the dogs, working on my videos for the upcoming Asheville post, and power washing the front of my house. I also headed to Home Depot so I could finish the rock garden. I’ll share more on that later!
For dinner: Kale tossed in Primal Kitchen Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, grilled chicken, onion, cashews, apple, avocado, cranberries, and a pickle. I topped the chicken with Organic Girl’s Herb goddess dressing.
Questions for you!
- What do you do to dig yourself out of a rut?
- Do you have a favorite place to visit on the weekends?
- What product are you loving recently?
Your salads always look so yummy! 🙂
I love exploring new cafés, particularly photogenic ones, during the weekends. It’s actually my favourite past time, haha, as you’ll see from my blog! 💕💕
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks, Charmaine!
always love seeing your eats!!! and i’m so with you girl, sometimes when i’m back from vacation, or in the middle of two fun things i feel like i’m not as excited, but it really helps do just do fun little things instead of trying to do something EPIC to fill that void! i love heading out for a new hike or hanging out with a friend in a part of town i rarely get to go to. That usually helps!!
Hi, Jordan!
Thanks for stopping by to read 😊
I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes it takes a small hike, or visiting a new town to just get yourself out of a rut!
Do you fill in your brows? 🙂
I have pretty thick brows, so I’ll use a light brown idolize powder to fill the top lightly.
So happy you did (my favorite posts) the recap! Thank you! Also, what podcasts do you like?
Hi, Alaina!!
I really like Southern Charm the aftershow, Off The Vine, and just exploring new ones! Which ones do you like?
Love the recaps! What podcasts are you listening to? I currently have a slew of podcasts to listen to, but always looking for different things for my runs and walks with the pups.
Thanks, Lorissa!
I just listen to Off the Vine and Southern Charm After show right now. I’m looking for more! (im so into reality television lol) I need some new ones!
Ah, power-washing the house– I literally just power-washed my house about a week ago. Fun times..
To dig myself out of a rut I usually just pick something I haven’t done in a while (whether it’s a workout, an activity, or a place to visit) and go. Maybe by my myself or with my husband or friends.
My favorite place to visit on the weekends right now has to be the beach! It’s not beach weather forever up here on the northeast so I take it while I can get it!
Right now I’m loving the ReadyPac Bistro salads I get at Wegmans. They make lunch so easy when I don’t have time to prepare something!
I love doing it lol Watching the dirt go down is rewarding!
Great way to dig yourself out of a rut for sure!
I haven’t been to the beach in so long! I need to change that!
That actually sounds delicious!
A change of scenery is amazing–sometimes I get so weary and out of alignment with happiness working at home all the time so I make it a point to g to a coffee shop 2 times a week for just a few hours to switch it up 🙂
What do you use to edit your videos?
That’s pretty smart, Linda! I do the same when I can’t get into “work” mode.
I just use IMovie. Nothing fancy!
Thanks for sharing your eats! I love how simple you make your meals. Sometimes I think that I need to make up these big meals and then I just get burnt out from trying to always plan our meals. I guess I like to make things harder than they are lol but I’m going to practice more simple meals.
I definitely get into ruts or I call it a restlessness. I know when I feel like that I just need something new, either a new restaurant or hiking place or new place to shop. And sometime I know that I just need to go see or talk to someone I haven’t in awhile. I take it as I’m becoming unbalanced in parts of my life.
I haven’t tried it yet but I just bought Schmidt Naturals deodorant. I listened to the Almost 30 podcast the other day and they highly recommended their natural products. I guess I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon for natural beauty products in fear that they wouldn’t work. But I’m really excited to try it out!
Hi, Olivia!
Simple meals are my jam! I keep a lot of the same foods/ingredients in the house and just throw them all together in different ways. Can’t make it hard on yourself! lol
Yes….restlessness is a great word for it.
Let me know how that goes! I’ve kind of dabbed into natural products.
I need to try that raspberry smoothie recipe!! I’ve been in a rut of my own lately with smoothies, making the same banana-based ones, but I’m putting the bananas to rest (in an oil-free banana bread tonight), at least for now! I was in a major rut (emotionally) for a few weeks at the end of June/beginning of July, but the most significant thing that got me out of it was writing down a list of all the positive things to remind myself of everything around my situation that was good. Remembering the good makes weathering the not-so-good a lot easier.
If I had to choose a localish place that I loved visiting on weekends, I’d say Petsmart when they have the SPCA or Human Society visiting with adoptable dogs. I love cats, but I love interacting with the dogs. Having guinea pigs is basically like having food-motivated, particularly demanding fish sometimes. 😐 Super cute, but generally not interested unless you have food, lol.
A couple weekends ago, though, we went to DC to check out restaurants and spend time with friends and I’d brought these Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil shampoo and conditioner trial packets that I’d been given the last time I got my hair cut, and I was obsessed when I saw how nicely my hair dried. I finally ordered it last week and it’s supposed to come soon, so I will be making the most of it when it gets here… and my husband isn’t allowed to touch it (he agreed, too!), because he’d use half the bottle, and that stuff’s not cheap! 😉
I need to make some banana bread or something with the ten brown bananas on my cabinet before the flies find them! Thanks for the reminder! Love that you got out of your rut in a positive way. That really does help. I get in emotional ruts often.
Yes, I love stopping there too when I see all the puppies! I have one close to my house 😉 I also spend time playing with their cats because I want to adopt one SO BAD but grumples does not like them 🙁
So fun. I LOVE D.C..I’ll have to look into that shampoo and conditioner!
I try to always have something planned to look forward to so I can avoid getting into a rut. Either a day with a friend I haven’t seen in awhile, or a small weekend getaway makes the day to day routine so much more bearable. I’ve noticed I can get pretty down in the dumps if I don’t have anything to look forward to, it makes you feel like you are just working for nothing! I don’t really have a favorite place to visit on weekends, but I love going out for a late breakfast on weekends! My favorite product lately has been the Aveeno 60 second in shower facial, it leaves my skin feeling so good and I love that I can just throw it on while I shave or something. I’m all about multitasking while getting ready.
That’s very smart!
I’ll have to look into that Aveeno!! Sounds like a great product 😊
My favorite way to dig myself out of a rut is to try something new! Doing a different workout class or something else that I haven’t tried before really helps me feel great. A change of scenery, when I can afford it, is also really great.
PS I love seeing the food you eat. It’s simple, but nutritious and delicious. Can’t go wrong with that!
Thanks, Rachel! 😃
I think new scenery or a new thing can totally cure a rut! You’re right about that.
Have a great week!
I have actually been getting into the (good) habit of reading a daily devotional (From this devotional that I’m LOVING currently: ( https://www.amazon.com/100-Days-Brave-Devotions-Courageous/dp/031008962X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533017845&sr=8-1&keywords=100+days+to+brave ) and I have also been memorizing one bible verse a week from Sadie Robertson’s “Be You” verse flash cards! Those two things provide much need grounding, introspection (that sometimes isn’t really fun but is necessary) and just a peaceful time that leaves me feeling energized! I sit at my desk in our upstairs “office/loft” space where the desk faces the window. Morning sunlight = The best thing ever.
A product that we have recently purchased and I am really loving are Bees Wax Wraps from MightyNest! They actually SMELL like honey, which was mind-blowing, and they replace plastic wrap and aluminum foil for covering items on the counter top, fridge or freezer! (You can’t get them hot, for obvious wax-related reasons.)
A couple questions for you…
Do you add salt to your eggs? Is that a weird question? Oh well.
On another egg-related note… Do you ever have that, like, gag-sensation creep up on you when you eat eggs?? I LOVE eggs.. and yet sometimes (usually with scrambled or boiled eggs) I hit a wall and I’m like, “pretty sure if I eat another bite those actually are going to make me gag.” It’s so bizarre!
Hi, Hannah!
That is so smart 🙂 What a great way to set the day! I may have to start doing that, and totally agree about the morning sunlight! I always look forward to my morning mile with my dogs! It’s my time to set my goals for the day and be out in nature without any technology.
I have to go look u these wraps! THey sound so awesome!!
I never add salt to my eggs because they’re naturally salty. My dad does though! lol I never do, but I know it’s common for people because of it being “eggs” But it’s a common thing!!
I prefer these types of recaps! I like to see your meal ideas and absolutely adored your video!
Thank you, Lissa!!
Silly question, but how did you make your sugar peas? They look roasted or pan fried or something? I’d love to learn a new way to eat them other than raw! 🙂 Thank you!
I just add a little sesame oil, 1/4 cup of water to a pan on high and sautee them until they’re soft! 😀
Where is your skirt from in that pic with Meighan?
From Target!
https://www.target.com/p/women-s-zip-front-corduroy-mini-skirt-wild-fable-153-pink/-/A-53577540?preselect=53503291#lnk=sametab
What do you do to dig yourself out of a rut? I typically either go for a swim or a drive… or if all else fails…. a nap!
Do you have a favorite place to visit on the weekends? If I get a long weekend, I like to go to the springs or to Vero Beach.
What product are you loving recently? Lately, I’ve been loving the wet brush!
A nap is a great solution!
Sounds like a wonderful weekend getaway!
Yes! I have one too!
More videos!!
Coming soon 🙂
LOVE LOVE the video and the music was nice!!
Thanks, Shellie!!
I can not find shishito peppers ANYWHERE. What grocery store do you find them at? I tried them at a restaurant recently & I’m obsessed! I have access to just about every grocer, but have had zero luck finding them to cook myself. Help! 🙂
I can only find them at Whole Foods!! 🙁 I’m better off growing them myself!
Your food always looks good!
Thanks, Sara! 😀