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June 6, 2016

Simple Summer Recipes

A collection of Simple Summer Recipes because who wants to spend all Summer in a hot kitchen??! Find more on Shutterbean.com

This is the time of year when I strive for simplicity in our meals.  Days are longer and we spend so much time outside, so I the last thing I want to do is hang out in a hot stuffy kitchen.  I’m all about minimum effort, early happy hours and spontaneous hangouts. Meals are eaten outside. Kids are hosed off if they’re a little too messy and bedtimes get pushed further and further back. It’s cool. There’s no school tomorrow. Life is slower and things are casual and more relaxed.  I’d thought I’d dip into the archives to get my head in the zone for Summer. Cooper gets out on Friday and I am counting the hours/minutes/seconds for when I don’t have to make lunch anymore and hustle like a crazy woman in the mornings.

Let’s get pumped up for Summer by thinking about what we’re going to EAT.

Here’s a compilation of my favorite Simple Summer Recipes:

maindishes

Grilled Chicken with Tomato Parsley Salad

One of my go-to meals in the summer! I usually grill some bread and then end up putting it all into a sandwich.

Baked Corn & Tomato Risotto

Let the oven do all of the work and enjoy summer goodness.

Orange Soy Glazed Ribs

Summer isn’t summer without ribs. At least in my family!

Grilled Shrimp & Pineapple Skewers

Serve these skewers over rice or make tacos out of them.

Sambal Chicken Skewers

One of my all time favorites. I’m a sucker for bbq chicken.

Greek Lamb Sliders

You’re going to love the yogurt sauce.

Toast 12 Ways

Because you can totally have an open faced sandwich for dinner during the SUMMER.

YOU ARE A GROWN UP. You don’t even have have to wear pants while you’re doing so.

Corn Tomato Shishito Pizza

We finish this pizza with a squeeze of lime and it pushes it over the edge of deliciousness.

saladsgalore

Tomato Watermelon Salad

One of my favorites! I love the dressing and the cashew addition.

Grilled Greek Panzanella Salad

Bread + salad = the best of both worlds.

Spicy Corn Avocado Salad 

Looking at this makes me want to put it in a sandwich….with a hunk of cheese in there for good measure.

Thai Chopped Salad with Tofu

Bake tofu at night when it’s cooler and then pack up your lunch for the next day. So much crunch and flavor in this one.

Asian Salmon Noodle Salad

New favorite! It’s the saucy noodles that get me.

Green Beans with Ginger & Lime

Sometimes I eat nothing but vegetables for dinner. This would be why.

Nectarine Caprese Salad

Tomatoes AND Nectarines. Makes it sweet/savory/creamy/dang good.

coldtreats

Arnold Palmer Popsicles

Is there anything better than iced tea and lemonade? Oh when it’s put in popsicle form! Next level!

Strawberry Pimm’s Sorbet

Sorbet is so simple to make. Shake things up in your sorbet game with a little Pimm’s.

Citrus Smoothie Bowls

My ideal dinner when it’s hot as a mofo outside.

Moscow Mule Popsicles

You know how people make ice cubes out of coffee so they don’t dillute the iced coffee? Imagine how you could use one of these popsicles to keep your moscow mule cold!

Cucumber Watermelon Popsicles 

Think about dipping one of these in some vodka…or gin!

Lemon Blueberry Ice Cream Sandwiches

This was such a fun/gratifying recipe I made a few years ago. I think 2016 could be the year of the ice cream sandwich.

Raspberry Mango Ice Cream Cake

2015 was definitely the year of the ice cream cake. Maybe I’ll make more this summer in different shapes.

potluckdesserts

Chocolate Pecan Cake

Don’t you just love sheet pan cakes? They’re so easy to frost. This one has the perfect amount of pecans on top! Holla!

Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

The time of year when zucchini goes NUTS. Maybe your neighbor gave you some of their zucchini haul? Repay them with this cake.

Coconut Blondies

Chewy…delicious…portable…non melting winners.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Another summer favorite that turns into a kickass breakfast.

Chocolate Cake with Berries & Cream

Simple is best!

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June 4, 2016

My Everyday Life: Week 22

Here’s what My Everyday Life: Week 22 looked like:

This one is titled “Social Anxiety.”

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

Yes. Thank you.

 

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

Farmer’s market visit.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

Super food salad.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

I’m a weirdo who takes pictures of my husband’s beard hair so he can see how gray he is.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

Little league championships. WE WON. I’m sandwiched in between my parents. I’m so grateful that they came to so many of Cooper’s games.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

UP.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

The moment when I realized that my kid has big boy feet and he’s like totally not a little kid anymore 🙁

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

Happy birthday, John.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

Another slice of life.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

Their love makes me so happy. Cooper tells me ALLLLLLL the time how cute Ella is and I love it. I know, buddy. SHE IS ADORABLE AND MOMMY CAN’T EVEN HANDLE IT SOMETIMES.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

Fresh.

My Everyday Life: Week 22 on Shutterbean.com

CONTINUE READING

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June 3, 2016

I Love Lists

I love lists // shutterbean

Welcome to I LOVE LISTS Friday! Let’s surf the internet together:

  1. The best thing I’ve read in a long time.
  2. This was also very good!
  3. I can imagine I’d do the same exact thing if I lost Casey.
  4. Brutally Honest Illustrations
  5. Bookmark for bad days.
  6. They’re right. It’s totally satisfying.
  7. Cooking is not for everyone
  8. I love this whole look
  9. Loved flipping through this before/after condo transformation
  10. The BEST passive aggressive notes.
  11. People are so clever.
  12. YAY. New emojis.
  13. Yes, you are.
  14. Blogging is not dead
  15. Thought this analysis of this guy’s instagram feed was interesting
  16. I love listening to other people’s mixes – One + Two
  17. Tooooo far.
  18. Best Frozen Meals at Trader Joe’s (according to employees)
  19. A good looking summer reading list
  20. Producing vs. Consuming 

Yum Yum Gimme Some:

Books to Inspire:

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June 1, 2016

Roadtrip Essentials

Gearing up for a Road Trip this Summer? Check out these Road Trip Essentials on Shutterbean.com

Here’s a fun fact- I secretly love packing up a car. Why? Because it’s like real life game of Tetris!  If it fits, you can bring it, and that means  that if you’re smart about it, you can PACK SO MUCH.

Today I teamed up with Seventh Generation to show you what my Roadtrip Essentials are.  We’re headed into road trip season so I created a foundation of things I like to have with us when we’re on a long drive. Let’s see what I pack, shall we?

 

CONTINUE READING

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May 31, 2016

Spicy Asian Salmon Noodle Salad

Spicy Asian Noodle Salad with a healthy dinner option for the Summer. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com!

I lived it up this weekend, that’s for sure. The weekend was accentuated with bourbon, garlic bread, hot dogs and late night diner french fries devoured at 2:30AM. Now, we balance things out with this Spicy Asian Salmon Noodle Salad.

Spicy Asian Noodle Salad with a healthy dinner option for the Summer. Find the recipe on Shutterbean.com!

Noodles to fill you up.

ASIANSALMON-15

Honey sriracha glazed salmon for protein. Cashews for crunch. Mint, cilantro and basil for the herb-y kick. All of it to start this short week with some good choices. Now that I’m thinking of it, I should put fresh rolls on the meal plan this week while I’m at it. Lord knows I could use a few Reset Button Salads too.

CONTINUE READING

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May 29, 2016

My Everyday Life: Week 21

Here’s what My Everyday Life- Week 21 looked like:

Cinnamon raisin toast with coconut butter.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Sourdough toast with cookie butter. Can you guess which one was mine?

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Beauty in the monotony.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Here comes the kitchen cat.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Always looking for food.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Friday night bourbon.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

A color combo that caught my eye.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

A cat that matches the decor.

 

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Summery vibes.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Shot this corn ravioli for One Potato.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Super corny.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

One of my coworkers. What is she doing with her back leg? Ha

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Steak salad.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Ravioli times.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

An accidental photo that I took while walking.

 

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Breaking in sandals and nude frets.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Hike with my boo.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Mom hands.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Shooting hoops.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Reminds me of Georgia O’Keefe.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Lil buddy.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Getting the mail.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Schmeep.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

My coworker brought me some ghormeh sabzi. My favorite!

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Monday night hot dogs.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Roasted Strawberries.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

The best with oatmeal cookies.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

I love you, Mom. You’re the best. I love our talks.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Last night we went to a show put on by two of the original members of Third Eye Blind.

They played the entire first Third Eye Blind album.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

We have friends in town visiting.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Stayed up til 4am…. These are 2:30AM food choices.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Because of this…

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

And this

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Youth.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Man bun.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

It’s really weird to go to shows now and see people filming the entire show on their phone instead of watching it. I see it a lot when Cooper has school events and I know that I am guilty at times because I’m snapping photos but to have your phone up in front of people who are watching the show in person always seems so weird to me. Watch the show!

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Late night shadows.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Colors that caught my eye.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

No wonder I’ve been inspired by Georgia O’Keefe. I forgot I opened up her book on our coffee table the other day.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

I wish I could be better at taking off sticker labels. I don’t have the finesse.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

Trying really hard to relax this weekend but also trying to get my head in the game because I know there’s so much to do this week.

My Everyday Life : Week 21 on Shutterbean.com

have a great weekend!

Week 21 in 2015

Week 21 in 2014

Week 21 in 2013

Week 21 in 2012

Week 21 in 2011

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May 27, 2016

I Love Lists

I love lists // shutterbean

Welcome to I Love Lists Friday! Let’s surf the internet together:

  1. Current status- totally burnt out.
  2. Raise your consciousness (100 ways to!)
  3. How to tell if an INFJ (that’s me!) likes you….
  4. Cheap outdoor dates for the summer!
  5. Elijah + Daniel = WHOA
  6. I love the hidden humor Disney has for parents.
  7. Bad tattoos are bad.
  8. My parenting motto- You gotta do what you gotta do
  9. Can you imagine living here? 
  10. Mmm Whole Wheat Waffles.
  11. Even Adele forgets the words to her songs. Omg I probably would too.
  12. 50 Pieces to Build a Classic Wardrobe
  13. My hair is almost long enough to do this. 
  14. How to take cliche yoga photos for Instagram
  15. I think I might be an outgoing introvert….
  16. Omg this is so funny.
  17. One of my favorite flowers to draw.
  18. Evolution of logos
  19. This breakfast bread looks scrumptious.
  20. Currently reading this book and loving it!

Shutterbean Recipes for your Weekend:

Things that caught my eye:

Instagram accounts to inspire: