Happy Monday to ya’, and happy official first day of summer! 8)
How’s yours going so far? Mine has gone by QUICKLY. July is right around the corner which means my birthday is coming up (July 5th), which I’m kind of freaking out about. The big 27. I think that officially puts me out of my mid-20′s and straight into the upper…omg. Good thing I completely believe in the saying “age ain’t nothin’ but a number.” You’re only as old as you feel! 
In other news, my Mom and I went for our first morning walk since last Tuesday! She and my Dad had been out of town and I truly missed those walks, as they set such a great tone for the rest of the day. I find myself wanting to workout more and making better eating decisions when I start my morning with a little exercise. Isn’t it funny how something so little – a 25 minute walk – can affect the rest of your day?!
The walk was a hot and humid one, so I cooled off with a cold, liquid, green breakfast – a Green Monster!
In the mix:
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
- 1 Tablespoon almond butter
- 1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 big handfuls baby spinach
I only used half a frozen banana today, so it wasn’t quite as thick and luscious as it usually is. Still tasted good though!
More greens for lunch in the form of a massive veggie salad & watermelon!
In the mix:
- Baby spinach
- Mixed greens
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Cherry tomatoes
- Green onions
- Snap peas
These snap peas I got from the Farmer’s Market this weekend are HUGE! I loved snapping the ends off, then zipping the little thread right down the middle to expost the cute little peas nestled inside.
Veggielicious!
This watermelon is so amazing!!! We have about 15 containers of it in the fridge, so expect to see more!
Here’s how to cut a watermelon:
1. Wash and place your watermelon on a large cutting board.
Tip: I usually pick a watermelon with the biggest yellow spot I can find on the bottom. This means it’s been sitting in the sun the longest, and is therefore the ripest and sweetest.
2. With a large, sharp knife, slice the watermelon in half lengthwise.
3. Cut each half in half again lengthwise, so you have four quarters.
4. Cut the quarters into slices.
At this point, you could leave the wedges intact – perfect for party platters, etc – or go a step further and cut it up into cubes.
5. Slice the rind off, then cut into cubes.
Devour!!!!
Mmm – love me some juicy watermelon. 
Well it’s time to get this show on the road. I hope this week goes by quickly, for some reason. I always get so impatient in the summer because I want to be outside!!!
Have a great, summery Monday. 
~~~~~
How old are you (it’s ok – you can spill!)? Do you freak out about getting older, or just accept it?
I’m 32, but definitely don’t feel as old as I am! Actually, I am really loving my 30s. It seemed like my 20s were about trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted out of life. Now, I’ve learned to just roll with the punches, and I’m just trying to be my best me. I also feel like I have so much more self-confidence than I did when I was younger. Besides, I really do believe that you’re only as old as you feel – age IS just a number, Dara Torres says so
I am 23 but I really don’t freak out about age. I think more about the goals I wanted to acheive by certain ages and that is what makes me crazy somtimes. I have been loving the watermelon so far this summer! I bought too many though and had to send my boyfriend to work with 5 huge containers, but his co workers didnt seem to mind
Happy early birthday by the way! Any big plans??
Hi Kristin!
This is my first visit to your blog, and I am inspired! Your pictures are beautiful & the food looks scrumptious! Thanks for sharing such great ideas.
Abby
I’m 34 (I’ll be 35 in Novemeber), and it doesn’t really bother me that much. I don’t feel “old” by any means, and it helps that I look young for my age (thanks to my mom for the good genes!). I freaked out more when I turned 25 than I will when I turn 35.
I’m 28 but I’ve stopped freaking out about getting older. People now don’t think I’m 28 so I figure I can pretend to be younger since people never believe I’m older. I don’t feel old so the number doesn’t bother me.
I’m 38. I don’t freak out about it though. It really is just a number. I still feel the same as I did when I was in my teens and twenties (no cricks or cracking)LOL. Plus it helps that I don’t look like I’m in my thirties. I always shock people when I tell them how old I am, they always think I’m between 20 and 22 (no lie). Life is good!!
I’ll be 30 exactly 2 months from yesterday and yes, it’s a little scary. I still don’t feel ready for many of the things others younger than me are doing. Okay, maybe it’s just the kid thing since I have owned my own home for 5 years and am married.
i am a july baby too…turning 27 on july 14th, so i am right behind you! i feel your pain…i get excited about the day then i get frazzled, OMG 27! aahhh…i don’t feeel 27…then i let my thoughts stop there, because afterall like you said, it isn’t the number that matters.
I’m 31. I am getting more freaked out about my age. I remember when all I wanted was to be 21. Now it’s a decade later!! Where the heck does time go? We just had our first child, and it took a LOT longer than I had hoped/planned. We do want more, but not right away. And I don’t want to be having kids into my 40′s!! What a dilemma!!
I will be 25 in 10 days! I’m excited about it…I can rent a car! Woo!
I’m fine with getting older, yep!
27! I think aging is a gift. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I think it’s a natural process and the years should just keep getting better and better!
I am going to be 23 in July. I don’t mind getting older, though I’m not that old to begin with. I am still in college, and a big part of me wants to be beyond that and into career world and settle into life rather than be running about like a crazy person every day with school, work and activities (not to mention family and friends time as well).
By the way…I just made a Green Monster drink. It was amazing, obvi.
Yeah, Like I was saying on your page, I’m 33. That means that 35 is less than two years away. I am kind of freaking out about that. Sooo hopefully healthy eating and running will keep the signs of aging at bay. If not there’s always Olay right? LOL
27 was a great year; I remember it well lol enjoy it cuz you’re beautiful and healthy.
Weird fact about me… I don’t like watermelon. That’s practically un-American, right?! I will eat it, the taste doesn’t totally gross me out, but I don’t particularly enjoy the taste.
I am 28 and am only just now freaking out about my age. I try to think like you and remember it’s only a number, but I don’t want to get any older!
(Recently) 21!! I’ve been counting down to this one, so it’ll be interesting to see if I start freaking out having now reached the last big birthday to look forward to
26.5 I don’t feel like I’m in my mid-to-upper 20s… not that I know if there is a certain way one should feel or not!
I still feel like I’m fresh out of college, even though it’s now been 4.5 years!
I turned 27 in April and it was kind of sad. I still want to say I am 24 when people ask – not sure why. Happy Early Birthday!
I don’t care about age, in fact, I don’t care so much so that on my bday this year (May 13), my family took me out to dinner and the waiter asked how old I was turning. I told him 29. My mom elbowed me and said “umm…you are turning 28″. My response “Oh whoops, I forgot.” Hah!
I will be turning 29 in one month and am kind of freaking out about it. Age has never bothered me before, but maybe it’s because it’s the last year I’ll be able to say I’m in my 20′s. I just hope the next decade is as good, if not better than the last!
That’s one HUGE watermelon
I’m 27 in November! The older I get, the more I appreciate my late bday
I’m 27. I freaked out when the big 2-7 was around the corner- That would mean I’m getting closer to my 30′s! But after finally turning 27, I got over it cus it’s going to happen one way or another, just be glad that you lived this far
Oh, and I LOVE watermelon. I can eat it everyday!! It really fills you up & keeps you hydrated
36. it’s just a number…
I am almost at the big 3-0! But trying not to freak out too much about it…
Your veggie salad looks amazing and i have just added watermelon to my shopping list – looks refreshing and delicious – yum yum!
I remember freaking out at 25 but now at age 32 its just a number. My husband, who is two years younger, has a harder time around birthdays. He does the fretting for me and I’m okay with that.
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Thanks for the tip on how to pick the best watermelon! Weird question…does it really matter if you wash it before cutting?
I always wash produce to not only remove field residue, and anything that may have been sprayed on it, but also to wash off the germs from anyone else who may have been handling it. When you cut into a fruit, anything that’s on the peel can get transferred to the flesh inside!
that makes so much sense! thanks for the reply!
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