[healthy summer snacks]

In my quest to be healthy and still enjoy my life, I've been really trying to eat better lately. It's hard though, considering I don't have much time / patience for meal prep and my schedule is incredibly irregular. I also get really bored eating the same things over and over again, so coming up with fun new ideas is very hard. Here are a few snacks I've been choosing lately, as part of my snacking through the days instead of bigger meals.

I love hummus, so I eat it with tomatoes and carrots. 

I love Bolthouse Farms smoothies and protein shakes. I typically have them as a mid-morning snack to help break up the day. It's really more of a meal but it's always an on-the-go thing.

I also like to throw in some kind of trail mix every once in a while, but I've been trying to eat more fruits and vegetables lately. So far it's been a few days that I've been refocused and I definitely feel a bit better. And my digestive system is back to normal!

Everyone have a happy fourth!

"no great thing is suddenly created."

- epictetus

[summer recipes]

This weekend was the first weekend of the year that I actually think felt like summer. Now that I'm really feeling the new season, I'm excited about new, fresh recipes to try and have around the house. Of course, you can find them all on my Pinterest too!

I'm going to go ahead and say that these are not my photos; these are from the original posts on people's sites, which I found on Pinterest. Each pin links directly to the site and I am very thankful for the wonderful people who've put these recipes online!

SOUTHWESTERN BLACK BEAN SALAD

(I like to put it on lettuce)

 BLT CHOPPED SALAD W/ CORN, FETA & AVOCADO

 ZESTY LIME, SHRIMP & AVOCADO SALAD

For me, summer is about light, fresh, bright meals that are both satisfying and healthy. And this summer is going to be about eating better too! Keep on the lookout for more recipes and my versions of ones I find online!

Have a wonderful week!!

"live in the sunshine. swim in the sea. drink the wild air."
 - ralph waldo emerson

[skyebird]

I've always considered myself a food lover, but lately I'm trying to be a bit more adventurous. On a recent trip to Orlando, I decided to do some exploring and came across this delicious little place called Skyebird. They call themselves 'a juice bar and experimental kitchen,' which is super accurate. All you can see are raw ingredients and juices and the cooks were just trying new things right there. After perusing through their menu and coming to a decision, I ordered the Romaine Heart Tacos with Cheesy Kale Chips and a Strawberry Lemonade to drink. Soooo good and surprisingly filling! It's lovely too because Skyebird is located inside of East End Market, which is a big building with several different vendors inside. It's like an indoor farmer's market, with a bread shop, a meat shop, a cheese shop, a coffee shop, a wine shop and a small nursery. There was even live music playing outside! Every shop looked delicious too; it was hard not to stop and order from each one.

I would definitely suggest stopping by if you're ever in the Orlando / Winter Park area!!!

"people who love to eat are always the best people."

- julia child

[my wynwood experience]

As you know, I went to Wynwood with my parents this past weekend. It's such a fun place and the food was so delicious, I had to do a post just for it. We first walked to the restaurant to put our name on the list (the wait was 45 minutes). Then we walked over to the outdoor bar in Wynwood Walls, grabbed a beer each and walked around. There was a showing in the gallery space inside the walls area, and I actually really like some of his stuff!

We walked into Wynwood Doors too:

We walked through some other galleries, which I didn't photograph. And then Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, where we had some delicious food (some of which I forgot to photograph).

Pork Belly Skewers (like grilled Chicharron)

Ropa vieja empanadas (with a cilantro creme sauce)

Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp, and bread that came with it)

We also had (and I DEFINITELY recommend) the guacamole and brussels sprouts. Everything was delicious, and surprisingly filling.

Basically Wynwood is a really cool area with awesome restaurants and a great art scene. I don't go there often enough but after this past trip, I decided I need to go more often.

"it's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

- henry david thoreau

[drunken monkey coffee]

Anyone who knows me knows I love coffee. My friends and I literally joke that I just need an IV and I'll be good to go. So when I was in Orlando, I decided to look for a local spot rather than go to Starbucks or Einstein's. What I found? Drunken Monkey Coffee. Yes, the weird name did make it more appealing to me. The place itself is very simple, with mismatched furniture and dish ware. They had a small area for a DJ to spin, and couches reminiscent of college house parties. It was a charming place with a small, simple menu of coffee and some sandwiches and snacks. If the food wasn't made in-house, it was made locally and most of it was organic or gluten free or something like that. Unfortunately, I couldn't get pictures of the place itself, but I was able to photograph my food. I had an american coffee with a baby breakfast burrito.

If you're ever looking for a low key, local coffee joint, you should definitely stop by Drunken Monkey Coffee. You won't regret it!

Happy Monday! Have a great week!

"all happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast."

- john gunther