Heeeeello all

Can I just tell you how much I was drooling as I read your favorite cottage cheese combos today?! You guys are geniuses…seriously… I’m thinking of having some with cinnamon for dessert tonight. We’ll see if the Chocolate Brownie PURE Bar will allow that to happen

So…workout fail. I didn’t make it to the gym today. I am SO tired – I don’t know what’s up? I felt the same way last night so I went to bed at 9:30! I think it’s because I started back into a running routine, which usually kicks my butt for a couple days. I feel like a little weakling though, because I only ran for a total of two miles Oh well, the body wants what it wants…and mine apparently wants rest. I’ll oblige, but I think I’m going to head out for a walk or bike ride later. There’s nothing like the wind whipping in my hair to wake me up

Well, my body might be tired, but my brain is wide awake and I was very excited to continue the 101 Simple Salad Challenge tonight by making a modified version of #19: White Bean & Toasted Garlic Salad for dinner.  Oh my!

I started by combining one can (drained & rinsed) of cannellini beans with the juice from half a lemon and S&P. I used a potato masher to mash everything up to my desired consistency.

Then I toasted up some sliced garlic in 1 tablespoon of EVOO, a sprinkle of dried rosemary & dash of red pepper flakes. When the garlic chips were nice and toasty, I added the mixture plus some halved, cherry tomatoes (from my plant – finally!!!) to the bean mash. I gave everything one final mix and spooned it over a freshly toasted bagel.

HEAVEN, people. HEAVEN!

Chewy, hot bagel topped with creamy, thick beans, accented by savory garlic chips and pops of juicy tomato goodness. I could have eaten 10 of these!

For the second night in a row – dinner was ready in minutes, healthy and extremely satisfying. Another winner for the 101 Simple Salad Challenge! Go Mark!

On the side, I made another salad! This recipe, all my own My Mom brought me some fresh cucumbers – cukes, if you will – from HER garden this morning, so I combined those with the tomatoes I got from Ben’s Mom to make a simple Garden-Fresh Cucumber & Tomato Salad.

These were the crunchiest, most fragrant cucumbers ever!

Local folks – go to the grocery store and pick up a bottle of Bisignanos’ Italian Dressing ASAP. My family has been using it as our go-to dressing for salads, sandwiches, ice cream sundaes (ok not ice cream sundaes, just checking to see if you were paying attention ) for YEARS. It’s what I used on this salad and it is just the best!

Look at the freshness…bomb.

Oh! Today a couple of you asked what camera I use – she’s a pink, Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital Elph. The pink color makes a difference, I’m telling you

I’m going to go veg for a little while until the temps cool down (going to get to 110 with the heat index this weekend) and then try to venture outside. I really do get more energy from working out – which is what I need to keep telling myself.

Gooooood night all!

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What’s your favorite bean? Do you ever make yours from scratch? ie soak & boil dried beans?

My favorite beanS are black beans and white beans – like these cannellini beans and great northern beans. They’re so versatile! And no, I never make beans from scratch. If someone’s going to do the work for me, and probably do a better job than I would, I ‘m going to let them. Bring on the canned beans!

One more full day to enter the PURE Bar Giveaway – you’ve got until 10pm central on Wednesday night! Oh, and if you want to order a whole box for 30% off and free shipping, go to the PURE Bar website and enter code: PURESUMMER. It’s worth it!