Hi friends! How is the week going so far?? It has been hot and humid in Michigan lately although I can’t say I really mind! Gotta enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine while it lasts.

How is it already almost August? We have been enjoying the past few weekends in AA before we will be heading out of town the first couple weekends in August. One weekend for my grandma’s 90th bday and another weekend up north for my friend’s wedding! Should be a couple of wonderfully summery weekends.

Delicious eats from the past couple weeks!

Ultra-refreshing Mexican Caesar salad has been a favorite lunch as of late. Organic spring mix topped with chopped cuc, avocado, pepitas, crumbled cotija cheese, and the best Caesar dressing (sub lime for lemon for the “Mexican” version). And of course, don’t forget to crumble some tortilla chips on top for extra flavor and crunch factor!

I am now obsessed with this guava kombucha – so good! How do you feel about kombucha??

We’ve been roasting ALL the veg over here lately. Who says you can’t aggressively utilize the oven in late July?? Summery mix of sliced zucchini, tri-color bell peppers, and red onion. Drizzled with avocado oil, sprinkled with a generous amount of salt and pepper, and roasted in the oven at 425 F until you deem they seem finished!

A throwback recipe that I used to make often during my college days. Garlic parmesan pasta with chicken and roasted peppers, carrot, zucchini, and corn. I would throw in some onion and extra basil next time to up the flavor even more! Topped with some crushed red pepper flakes.

My first peach of the season! Hands-down favorite fruit. So sad that peach season is so short, but I suppose then we might take them for granted more!

Have you tried my cherry muffin recipe?? I made another batch the other day and this time added some chocolate chips because who doesn’t love chocolate and cherries??

The best roasted potatoes seasoned with salt + pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Amazing!

More roasted veg this time featuring a beautiful summer squash from my grandpa’s garden! Drizzled with avocado oil and seasoned with salt + pepper.

The absolutely most delish chocolate chip cookie pie that I made for my Juicy Kitchen co-worker’s 40th birthday. Topped with a fabulous chocolate cream cheese frosting. Why make a regular chocolate frosting when you can make a cream cheese version? If you aren’t making plans to make this ASAP then I don’t know what you’re doing!!

Ambitious Kitchen classic recipe of crockpot white chicken chickpea chili. Made x2 for a friend’s baby shower. Two tips: use fresh corn and top with cilantro!

Favorite summery drink – I have been making a chocolate cashew milk with dates and cacao powder and have been adding about a cup of it to my morning iced coffee to make an iced mocha of sorts… instant morning upgrade!!

I am loving my Rise and Run cookbook and have been wanting to try the sweet potato sage biscuits for months. Not exactly a summertime recipe I will admit but who cares when we are talking biscuits?? This was my first time making biscuits and it couldn’t have been easier! I’m sure these will be making a regular appearance in our kitchen. This time eaten alongside a frittata with cheddar, roasted jalapeño, sweet potato, corn, and yellow onion.

Saturday morning post-yoga brunch of fluffy lemon blueberry pancakes by the amazing Hummusapien drizzled with maple and served with my new fave iced mocha. What’s not to love??

Everyday Enjoyment:

Ann Arbor area parks: I have been trying to enjoy more of the many beautiful outdoor areas where we live. It can be easy for me to wish I was somewhere else (aka somewhere with mountains!) but there is also so much beauty to be enjoyed right where we are!

Clean Mama Resources: While I don’t necessarily love cleaning (I love having my spaces clean, not always the act of cleaning. Lol.) utilizing the resources from Clean Mama over the past couple of years has made it much more enjoyable and feasible! The method includes simple daily cleaning tasks, rotating tasks, and a monthly focus, all designed to keep your house mostly clean most of the time. I also love using her blog when I need some guidance for a particular task (such as how to clean my oven) or for making homemade cleaning sprays. We save SO much money on cleaning supplies now that I make our own sprays! The sprays are simple to make and come together in minutes! Two of my favorites are the daily shower spray and exercise mat spray.

Trip planning: We have a trip planned to West Virginia for an extended Labor Day weekend which we are super excited about! Will be mostly camping, hiking, enjoying scenic drives/lookout spots, and seeing what’s up in WV since we have never been there! (Aside from Alec who has driven through certain parts). We are staying on a “tent platform” at this interesting campground, have an airbnb booked for Harpers Ferry, and a few other things planned. Other than that, we will figure it out more as we go!

Do you have any travel plans for the rest of the summer? 

Enjoy the week!