Good morning, everyone! I just got back from my walk and now I’m ready to sit down with my coffee and start off the recap blog.
I hope you all had an amazing weekend and are staying cool. It’s officially too hot to do anything between the hours of 9 am and 8 pm here. I’m trying my best to embrace the summer and enjoy it to the fullest. I think I’ll be parking myself at the pool after hitting publish!
The start of the week was gloomy and rainy.
I took it as a free pass on walks and decided to stay put and get things done around the house. For my lunch, I had mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and avocado.
Monday was pretty busy. We needed to get everything out of the garage because I had someone coming early morning to epoxy the garage floors for Kyle’s birthday gift. His birthday isn’t until next month, but it was something he’s been talking about doing. I think having our stuff out of the garage was the hardest part about all of it. We had stored it on the back porch, dining room, planning center, and outside. I hate when things are all over the place.
I did manage to finally paint the gold mirror creamy white. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while since the gold doesn’t match anything in the house, and it was a successful transformation. I love how it turned out and I can’t wait to put it in the guest room.
For dinner, I made baked salmon seasoned with lime, honey, gluten-free soy sauce, sesame seeds, black pepper, garlic powder, and avocado oil. I baked the salmon for 12-minutes at 385.
We had our salmon with tossed salad and roasted red potatoes on the side. For dessert, I had my 3-ingredient brownies. 😋 These are so easy to make and I used peanut butter instead of almond butter this time around.
On Tuesday morning, the company came over to do our epoxy! We chose a light grey with black blue specs. It’s crazy how different the garage looks now!
On Tuesday, I finished up some blog work and then headed out on an afternoon five-mile walk. I love getting out there to listen to podcasts and disconnect. The five-miles fly by so quickly when I’m listening to music or podcasts.
When I got home, I showered off, had a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and then headed to the neighborhood boot camp! It was a TOUGH one. We did hill sprints up the boat ramp between circuits. As soon as I got home, I showered off, started watching Married at First Sight, and fell asleep.
I spent Wednesday finishing up some work and catching up on laundry. For breakfast, I had Harmless Harvest vanilla yogurt, Northern Bakehouse gluten-free bread with Earth Balance butter, peanut butter, and green apples. `
Wednesday walk before the storm! This was probably the hottest walk of the summer so far.
On Thursday night, I made spaghetti squash with pasta sauce and ground turkey.
I spent the evening packing up for Friday’s beach day and watching more of Married at First Sight. This show was so good, and even more interesting since it was filmed in Charlotte.
Becca and I headed to the beach on Friday!
I’ll share a separate post with all of our day trip photos.
I spent all day deep cleaning the house while Kyle painted the garage and put the stuff back. The stuff everywhere gave me the worst anxiety!
He did such a great job painting and I absolutely love how clutter-free the garage is now. He even painted the shelves black so they’d blend in a bit.
We have a few more things we want to get for the gym like a treadmill, bike, and boxes.
We decided to do a date-night on the patio Saturday evening. We made chicken pad thai (our favorite) and tried out a chocolate wine with dinner. It tasted so much like chocolate that I didn’t like it. I’d rather have a red blend or something more classic. Kyle loved it, so I guess it’s a 50/50 choice to make!
I spent all Sunday morning adding new mulch to all of the garden beds. There were a lot of holes from where I planted new flowers and I wanted the mulch took look bolder and hide some of the red dirt and clay from digging.
I had the best dinner on Sunday night. I made a recipe that our boot camp trainer posted on her IG! It’s called Smothered Cabbage and it was so delicious, easy to make, and healthy! The only thing I did differently was add in some black beans. I’ll be eating it for dinner for the next few days!
I know my recap was pretty short, but I’ll be sharing all the photos from our beach day tomorrow! 😊
Questions for you!
- Is it too hot to do anything where you live as well?
- What is a must-have for a home gym?
- What are you having for dinner tonight?
Marie says
1. Yes and yes! This is our second summer in SC and it’s alot hotter than I’m used to.
2. Some free weights have really made working out at home much better. I don’t even miss the gym!
3. Turkey chili with corn bread!
Taralynn McNitt says
SO HOT!
I don’t miss the gym either 😂
ohhh can’t go wrong with turkey chili!!
Lori says
So cute! Where are those pad thai bowls from?
Taralynn McNitt says
Home Goods!
Jacklynn says
I tried out that Chocolate wine too and thought the same. Did you find it at World Market?
Taralynn McNitt says
We did!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Oooh, your garage transformation seems to be going well so far! It’s definitely super hot here in Hong Kong too – and nastily humid as well – but it’s only July… ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Charmaine!
July and August are the brutal months for sure!
Steph B says
It’s not that hot in the UK… it rarely gets that warm unfortunately! It’s not raining though so that’s something!
Definitely kettlebells for the gym, they’re so much fun!
Tonight’s dinner is salmon stir fry- we have a 9 week old baby so anything quick and easy that I can eat one handed! I should try making pad Thai though!
Taralynn McNitt says
Yay for no rain! 💜
Definitely try out that pad thai! ♥️ Always good for leftovers!
Enjoy that stir fry!
Mathilde says
Hi Taralynn ! I have been following you for years now and I love your recaps – they are so inspiring 🙂 I also love your house and having just bought a house myself, I love seeing the progress and changes you are making 🙂 I live in Ireland so it is definitely NOT too hot ! Our must have for a home gym is a cross trainer and we will have fajitas for dinner tonight 🙂 Have a lovely day !
Taralynn McNitt says
Fajitas sound amazing tonight!
Thanks so much for the kind words about my blog 😊 I bet it’s beautiful in Ireland this time of year!
Ashton says
It’s pretty hot here, but we’re in a cool down stretch at the moment. It’s gonna be hot this weekend again. We just canceled our gym membership and ordered a peloton, we also have a lot of weights, and installed a tv in our garage with Bluetooth so we can either watch something or stream music while working out. I can’t wait, I think I might actually grill some carne asada and do tacos or taco salad for dinner. Also your garage floors look great!
Taralynn McNitt says
We are contemplating the Peloton. Let me know how you like it!
Your dinner sounds amazing!
Nicole K. says
1. Yes!! Its so humid here in Iowa, you go outside and its just sticky and gross.
2. I don’t currently have a home gym, I just use my living room but I’d eventually like to finish a part of our basement to be a home gym! I would love to have a wide range of weights to start some weight training. I’ve never really done it before, but have always wanted to!
3. I think tonight is going to be salsa chicken tacos. Super easy and delicious!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Nicole!
I know that feeling all too well.
Ohhhhhh enjoy those salsa chicken tacos! 😋
Maureen says
Hi Taralynn!
1. Pretty much! I’m off work right now, so I’m working on waking up earlier to exercise/work outside before it’s too hot.
2. Treadmill or elliptical. (We have an elliptical, so I’m counting my blessings!) Also hand weights & a yoga mat.
3. My husband are going to try to go for a post-work, pre-dinner hike, so probably leftover chicken & salad greens.
Loving your garden photos! Thank you! And I can’t wait to try your pad Thai recipe! 😊
Enjoy the week,
Maureen
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Maureen!
So good to wake up early and get the workout in before the heat.
Yas, gotta have those weights!
Thank you so much & I hope you enjoy that pad thai recipe!
Have a good hike!
lo says
how do you like your squat rack and where did you find it? i am planning on building my home gym in a month and am starting to look at purchasing a rack, bar, and plates. any recommendations?
also, I skipped out on the peleton ($$$) and got the amazon bike instead! the brand is Sunny and its MUCH cheaper. a lot of people buy it and use the peleton app along with it! i got the belt instead of the chain and I love it! (I did have to buy a new seat though, the one it comes with is pretty small!)
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi!
I do not use the squat rack, but Kyle LOVES it. It’s from PRX and it’s great because it folds up so we can park our cars in there.
I’ll look into that bike! THANK YOU for that recommendation!
Jenny says
1. It’s been so hot and humid here that I’m getting most steps indoors and doing short outdoor bursts as tolerated! Idk how you are doing hours of outdoor exercise in the heat. You are one tough cookie!
2. My home workouts require TV and floor SPACE because I like doing indoor videos- dance, bootcamp drills, hiit walks that are low impact, walking videos, etc
3. Dinner tonight is air fried crab cakes, cabbage slaw and sweet potato fries with white summer beers! Highly recommend UFO Georgia Peach for anyone looking for a new flavor that is refreshingly perfect for summer.
Taralynn McNitt says
I wake up REALLY early to do it!
I want to come to your house for dinner! 😋
Nichole W says
Love the garage! We were actually talking about getting one of those PRX racks after seeing it on Shark Tank 😂 We have a row machine and assault air runner then use the Peloton app. It works great!
Taralynn McNitt says
Kyle loves his squat rack! Not a bad investment.
Rebecca says
I make your three ingredient brownies on a regular basis now, they are great and taste just as good with peanut butter! We are in Scotland where it rarely gets hot nevermind too hot to do anything haha.
Taralynn McNitt says
So happy you love those!
girl, i need to move to Scotland! 😝
Lindsay Mestieri says
Just wanted to drop a note saying that I’ve been following your blog since the beginning & all these years later am an avid follower! Love your weekly recaps 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
That means so much to me!
Suzanne says
Hi! I’m from Buckhead, so it’s super hot in the day. I try to go for a walk each day at lunch to get fresh air! I would say bands and fans are an essential for a home gym hahaha For dinner, I’m having spaghetti squash with turkey and sauce! I tried your chicken salad recipe last weekend and it was SO yummy. My boyfriend loved it, too. Btw, where did you get your standing lamps in the living room? I’m looking for some. Excited to read your beach post today! I’m headed to the beach next week, so I’d love to see where some of your beach stuff came from.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Suzanne!
Yas! Team bands and fan! 😊
I’m so happy you enjoyed those recipes! Those are from Ikea! 😊 My beach post will go live today! xo
Harriet says
Great little recap, your summer days look so nice, its too cold and wet to do anything here at the moment, we have heavy rain and thunderstorms with a high of 9 degrees. Your garage looks so awesome all done the floor looks amazing also love the black walls. My 2 must haves in my home gym are good yoga mat for stretching and a assault bike (they are not fun, but you feel great afterwards). I am currently living off air-fryer salmon and chicken so will probably have salmon tonight with fresh vegetables. Hope you have a great week.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you so much!!!
Enjoy that salmon! 😊 So good in the air fryer!
Jessica says
Hi Taralynn!
I love your blog and have been following along for a while 🙂 You’re so positive and it’s so nice to read your blogs and get that extra inspiration and mood booster! Love your new home gym!
I was wondering where you got your apple watch band?
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you! Amazon! 😊
Caitlin says
Totally recommend a Peloton for the bike. Make sure you find a referral code for $100 off accessories if you get one. We use ours so much that we are going to setup a Peloton gym in our new house (currently being built) and order the treadmill to go with the bike. Make sure you get a high quality treadmill (like the Peloton one) if you do get one. My fold up nordictrack really hurt both of our joints compared to the ones we use at Orangetheory. We gave it away.
LeeAnna K says
Garage looks amazing!!! We live in Indian Land and I’m wondering if you recommend the company that did the floors for you. We looked into doing it ourselves and it seems like a lot of work and easy to mess up if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Ordering the ice cream maker because the homemade cookie dough pushed me over the edge to must have it 🙂 I think my kids will live making their own healthy creations. Thanks 🙂