Everything is better and easier in the summer.

The days are long the temps are hot and I am at my best during the summer months. It IS my favorite time of year. I love being able to get out every day. I love sweating (I know weird). I love the cool, crisp food of summer!  I mean really, what’s not to love?

We survived starting new jobs and I think it’s safe to say that we (Miss Herbivore and me) are happy with our current vocations. I’m super excited about the possibility of the Wildlife Range position and our Herbivore is raking in some “fat stacks” (primarily because she only gets paid once a month with the first time not being until mid July)!

So, after graduation celebrations, visitors and getting used to a new schedule I am back on track with my health goals. Hitting up regular workouts along with hiking. I’m feeling much more energetic back on plant-based food, regular exercise and less alcohol (but the celebration and visitors were FUN)! I do believe that setting and/or having an end goal makes all the difference in my success.

My summer goals

• Prepare for hiking trip in September
• Workout 5x/week 
• Expand our plant-based repertoire
• Photography skills

This year for our hiking trip, Driggs, ID is our home base. We will be hiking in the Teton Valley in eastern Idaho with maybe a day trip to Grand Teton National Park. I am super excited because I haven’t been anywhere since last November! My trips for the summer include heading to Portland for PSU orientation the 2nd of July, family reunion in Colorado the first weekend in Aug and tentatively an October trip to Florida.

My workouts are coming along. My first full week back at it and I feel strong and the “celebration weight” has come off. I am prone to over working out when in reality remembering that “abs are made in the kitchen” should be a bigger focus for me.

I am continuing to expand my plant-based lifestyle and recipes. This week a friend generously let me pick up their CSA share while they were out of town. It was fun creating dishes from the ingredients. I made an arugula pesto one night and  wilted mixed greens with grits another (Mr. Fantastic can add cheese, eggs and bacon to this dish but it doesn’t need that) and an quinoa bowl with roasted chickpeas, fresh veggies and greens last night.

The chickpea salad for sandwiches has become a go-to lunch option for me and Miss Herbivore makes almond butter sammies and takes Kite Hill vanilla yogurt for her lunch while at work. (I want to try this recipe from #Mamaeatsplants for her package free coconut yogurt). 

I am still experimenting with my kombucha. It’s going gang busters but I am trying to get the right amount of “bubbles” and a winning flavor.

As far as my photography goes, it comes down to I just need to “do it”. I need to get out with my camera and practice, practice, practice! I am debating between a Photoshop class or going on an excursion next week to help me plug back into this hobby.

In the meantime, get out there and make the most of these long summer days, stay active, healthy and happy!

Cheers!

A few photos from last year’s adventures!

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