I always look forward to spring.
Except the pollen. Who knew San Diego had pollen?!
Spring food is the best. Don’t get me wrong, I love a roasted winter squash and the orange glow that comes with it. The lighter, fresh spring fare has my heart though.
Today’s #strangebutgood is a round up of some of my favorite spring recipes. Some stranger than others. All good. In my not-so-humble opinion.
Something about Spring makes life better.
Until the pollen hits.
Last week I was in a bit of a funk. It was rainy and cold, I was tired… but spring arrived just in time for the weekend! I want to carry over this weekend weather high into the week, and Katie’s Marvelous in My Monday link up is my favorite way to focus on the good and start the week out right!
Almost everything involved the outdoors – something I’d forgotten how much I love!
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There’s only one right way to start the weekend – pancakes! I made Heather’s Peanut Butter Cookie pancakes and topped them with a fresh strawberry sauce. My only change to her recipe was to omit the rice flour and reduced the liquid to 1/3 C. They were perfect!
With the spring berries on top, it was like PB&J cookies for breakfast.
Those pancakes fueled the best workout I’d had in DAYS. This week in the gym I had just not been feeling it. I’d be half way through a workout coaxing myself with post-workout foods if I finished.
Not only did I have a great shoulder/glute day in the weight room, but I was feeling so good I decided to run some sprints before heading home. Those sprints are great for the glutes and I could feel it the next day!
After than calorie torch, I made myself a massive Carrot Cake Smoothie… I needed some cool-down fuel because I then met Carol and her puppy for a 6 mile walk in the park!
I don’t know how we walked so long – I was already tired. We just started talking and the time FLEW by!
We parted ways and I headed home for a (much-needed) shower before meeting a friend for dinner.
I don’t know about you, but my #1 favorite thing about spring is patios. Sitting outside with my flip-flops on, a teensy sunburn, and a margarita makes me happy. Simple pleasures.
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Sunday I woke up early (read: before 9am on a weekend) to play softball. We won both games! Our team is undefeated in a men’s league. Hahaha! 🙂
I didn’t have time to make Sunday morning bacon… but my favorite meat-treat still managed to make a cameo.
Sunday is also my grocery store and meal prep day. I hauled my sweaty, dusty self (#sorryimnotsorry) to the farmer’s market and Whole Foods for the weekly stock up. No real diet changes yet, but the competition is coming up fast and next week it will be lock down time.
Despite having bags of groceries from 2 stores, I made it up to my condo in one trip. I saw this on Pinterest, which perfectly captures the moment. Please tell me I’m not the only person who is this stubborn:
I also bought myself flowers. Flowers go a long way in brightening up my week, especially when I work from home. It’s nice to look over and see their natural brightness after staring at a computer screen for hours!
Besides, if I waited for someone else to do it I’d be waiting a looong time. 😉
Another favorite of mine in the warm weather is watermelon. After a long 2 days in the sun, I was happy to have a refreshing watermelon salad… and finally, my Sunday bacon.
Sweet, salty, and a little earthiness from the beets. It’s the perfect spring salad! #strangebutgood
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My teensy sunburn got worse on Sunday. I forgot that with spring comes the need for sunscreen. #fail
Do you ever buy yourself flowers?
What is your favorite part about spring?
