Well it seems the shredded coconut fairy was playing mind games with me yesterday, because this morning I opened up my cupboard and guess what the first thing I saw was? A big bag of shredded coconut! I shook my head at how that fairy could be so evil and knew I had to make an encore of yesterday’s Tropical Paradise Oatmeal - this time with the “tropical part”! Oh, it was so good!! My banana was perfectly ripe and the coconut was reminiscent of sipping pina coladas on the beach.
I think I’m becoming a huge fan of using my banana as a topper to my oats instead of mashing it in while the oatmeal is cooking. I like eating a lotof food – and using it as a topper seems to make the bowl hhuuuGGGGEEE! Yeah!
All mixed up:
Isn’t this the most whimsical pear you’ve ever seen?
I kind of wanted to prop her up on my desk to stare at all day, but alas – she was destined to be chopped up in a salad. Another “kitchen sink” salad! Today’s mix was:
- Spinach
- Mixed Greens
- Broccoli
- Bosc Pear
- Wasabi Peas
- Feta Cheese
- Dried Cranberries
So jazzed about this salad. I just really do love Bosc Pears! I also packed my favorite apple – a sliced Braeburn – which will be fabulous after my mid-afternoon walk around a lake by my work. Yesterday I was too busy to get outside at all during the day, so today I’m making it a priority!
Question for you: What’s your favorite in-state destination? Could be a park, a museum, a tourist attraction, a restaurant…let me know!
Mine, as I’ve mentioned, is Living History Farms!
Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, tells the amazing story of how Iowans transformed the fertile prairies of the Midwest into the most productive farmland in the world. While at the 550-acre open-air museum, visitors travel at their own pace through five historical time periods spanning 300 years. On-site interpreters provide a unique learning environment of seasonal activities and demonstrations. A complete visit lasts three to four hours.
Basically there’s working farms from 1700, 1850, 1875 (complete with a “main street” with a general store, a print shop and even a pharmacy!) and 1900 that you can go and explore and see how life was really like in that time period. It is seriously SO NEAT! Yes, NEAT!!! If this isn’t making any sense to you – seriously go check out their website – this is cool stuff people.
Ok enough nerd talk – have a GREAT Friday wherever you are!!
Mmmmm I love shredded coconut! Mine’s been sitting in the pantry and I’ve been forgetting to use it! thanks for the reminder
I love bosc pears too, I do enjoy a crispier pear.
Ooooh shredded coconut!! And mmm pears. I haven’t had a pear in a while, and everytime I see one, I want one.. especially those mushy juicy ones. LOL
Yum. Eats look good! I always chop my bananas up on top of my oatmeal!
Oh, wow that looks like such a cool place! I guess I’m a nerd too
Love your fresh kitchen sink salad! Have a great Fri
i get free stuff by asking companies if i can do product reviews
Just found you from Glamour! The chicken broccoli stir fry looks great! I’m adding you to my google reader.
Hi! That oatmeal looks AMAZING! Just wanted to let you know how much I look forward to your blog – I’m stuck at home revising for exams at the moment, and it is great to have your positive posts to look forward to – they’re helping me look forward to being done with the revision and getting out in the sunshine!!
Love the oatmeal!
Have you ever been to Pella, Iowa? They have the Pella Tulip festival every year. I’ve always wanted to go.
My favorite in-state thing is the MN State Fair. Can’t think of a place right now. Perhaps the north shore – like Grand Marais.
YES! The Pella Tulip Festival is soooo cool you should definitely make the trip sometime! And get a dutch letter while you’re there!
So good to hear!! Bummer about exams, but they’ll be a distant memory soon enough!!
Sounds FAB! I’ll check your site out too
It was soooo good – mixtures of random flavas are the best. Have a great weekend!
Isn’t it the best? I think I’m a perma banana topper gal!
I hadn’t had one in a long time either since I bought the Bosc ones. They are so.good.!
Yeah! Bust that coconut out!