Good morning everyone!!
Father’s Day round 2 last night was great! We started dinner off some white corn salsa and chips, as well as Ben’s Dad’s favorite dip – whipped cream cheese + sweet onion and pepper jelly! Seriously, this stuff is insanely good! (recycled pic, I forgot my camera last night 
)
Dinner was cheeseburgers, fresh green beans and brownie & ice cream sundaes. YUM!!!! We had a great time and absolutely love hanging out with Ben’s ‘rents. They are also avid readers of the blog…so, hi family!! 
You guys…it was 61 degrees for my morning Mom walk today!! It was suuuch a nice change of pace It was also the perfect temperature for a nice bowl of oats! I made some traditional, Banana, Almond & Coconut Oatmeal.
In the mix:
- 1/2 cup each of oats, skim milk, water
- 1 medium banana
- cinnamon & vanilla
- toasted almonds & coconut
- drizzle of sugar-free syrup
This bowl had the perfect combo of flavors and textures. Banana + Coconut is always a winner in my book!
It also had a MOUNTAIN of toppings!
Now, last night, Ben’s Mom hoooooooked us up with a ton of fresh produce from Costco, so for lunch I took advantage and packed some of the incredibly sweet and luscious bing cherries she gave us!
I had been holding out on buying these at the store because of how expensive these are – but I’ve been hearing that the Costco prices for these gems have been relatively low. Stock up people!
Also making the lunch bag was a sliced Braeburn apple:
And a mixed green salad with 3 chopped, Compari tomatoes (also from Ben’s Mom!) and 6 raspberries. I am obsessed with raspberries and they are usually $$$ at the store. Yesterday I was lucky enough to find a whole container for $1.88 (!!), so I have to be very stingy with them in order to make the container last as long as it can!!
Aren’t these Compari tomatoes ADORABLE?! They are like miniature vine-ripened tomatoes and are the most gorgeous things ever!
So, good news on the ant front – the stream is definitely lessening and we’re finding more and more “not-living” ones…I don’t want to gross you out too much in the morning 
Thanks for all your comments about them yesterday. Not that I wish ant problems on ANYONE – but it makes me feel better that we’re not the only ones that have to deal with those nasty buggies!
Stay tuned this afternoon for the announcement of the winners of the Real Simple + PURE Bar Giveaway!!!
Have a great day everyone – 4 day work week for me this week!! How about you?!
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Do you have any 4th of July festivities or traditions you’re looking forward to this weekend? Can you believe June is almost over?!
i heard that if you put something like a line of cinnamon or something, it’ll definitely keep the ants out of the house!
be careful with raspberries — they can go bad pretty quickly! so don’t be too stingy with them! =)
hi kristin! i love your blog! just wondering, does a lunch like that with relatively zero protein and fat really fill you up? i feel like i would be ravenous if my lunch was solely fruits and veggies!
Four-day week here too! So happy about that.
Yay for free produce! I love when my parents hook me up with food!
I totally can’t believe June and half the year is almost over. It’s gone by crazy fast!
i need to break out the coconut again – it’s so good on oats!
no 4th of July traditions, but my in-laws will be here this weekend because my husband is competing in this crazy race on the 4th – should be fun
I found coconut yogurt at the store, I’m going to put it over fresh pineapple this morning for breakfast!
it’s been unusually warm here! 61 degrees is the perfect temp for a walk!
I’m totally coveting your produce!
Mags comment got me thinking . . . Your oatmeal always looks so super yummy to me, but it seems like a huge meal to eat first thing in the day (I’m not usually too hungry in the morning). BUT, if you have a big meal like that, I’m sure it sustains you longer, so the light salad for lunch seems like it would be enough mid-day. I think I may try this. I always have trouble snacking at night, so maybe if I’m fuller earlier in the day, it will help!
Yay for free produce!! I am definitely jealous of your 61 degree temp this morning! When I headed out for a run it was already 82 degrees and sunny:( Oh well!!
I’m going to the lake for the 4th and spending time with the fam! Definitely excited!! It’s my last hoorah before school starts!
Wow – what a colorful post! Beautiful.
I have no 4th plans… We have no family here, so we kinda wing things. I’m sure we’ll see a firework or two. Have a great week!
your oatmeal looks divine! Love those beautiful pics
mmm what a colorful lunch- I’ve also been OBSESSED with raspberries lately, they are just too delicious!
I want to try your yummy frito dip. I’m sure I can improvise on the two ingredients but is it just one block of cream cheese and a small jar of the relish?? or is there more cream cheese than relish? Thanks!
Costco has incredibly great deals for produce — especially berries. You should visit one. You’ll never have to pay $4 for a tiny container of raspberries again.
Determined you as a fave so I will; be back again
Hi Mags! For me and my body, a lunch like this does suffice. I will most likely have a snack right when I get home, before dinner, but during the day when I’m for the most part just sitting in a chair and not expending too much energy – it does the job!
Yeah…it most likely won’t be a problem…I’ll probably cave and gobble them all up tonight
:D:D
It’s just a small jar of the jelly and then the regular/smaller size of the whipped cream cheese. You can use just a regular block of cream cheese – but the whipped kind makes it extra good