Meatless Monday: Tangy Cucumber-Dill Salad

Hello Darlings!

July farmers’ markets are pretty far up there on my list of favorite things. They are full of gorgeous produce, lots of fun people, and they give me an excuse to carry around my woven produce basket that I picked up in Spain years ago. Bumbling around the farmer’s market with Tinkerbelle in tow, I spotted some wonderful looking cucumbers that I knew I had to turn into salad! After popping a handful of dill into my basket I was ready to go- the rest of the simple salad’s ingredients I already had at home!

Generally speaking I tend to go for sweeter salads- think peaches, beets, golden raisins, but every once in a while I love the tang of an almost sour salad that wakes up your taste buds and is super fresh with the flavors of summer. Adding in goat yogurt and a bit of lemon to amp up the tang creates a depth of flavor that highlights fresh produce!

Cookbook Love: Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches (& Giveaway!)

Hello Darlings!

Now, no birthday is complete without ice cream. And as a treat to myself (and the fact that Williams and Sonoma was having a 55% off sale!) I bought myself an ice cream maker for my birthday- and now I’m obsessed! I love that I can make healthier versions of ice cream- with almond milk YUM- at home and pretty much on a whim (minus the 24 hour freezing period) so I have been playing with making my own recipes but adoring the ones in my Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches cookbook!

Holistic Health with Boiron (and Giveaway!)

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When it comes to how I cope with ailments I am anything but traditional. I love that there are so many options for healing in this world and that holistic health is becoming more popular in everyday society. I was fortunate to have grown up with a mother (now an herbalist!) who taught me how to listen to my body, and that when I wasn’t feeling my best I had the option of reaching for something natural.

And while often I was in the backyard picking mullen or dandelion for tea, when I needed something not so readily accessible I turned to Boiron- a name synonymous with holistic health. The little blue tubes were staples in my medicine cabinet, and as a human that bruises like a peach (and always has!) Arnica has always been one of my best friends!

Yoga on Your Own Terms: Yoga Download (and Giveaway)

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Life is crazy. True statement. And sometimes, making the time to fit your practice into your daily schedule can be difficult. Fighting your way through traffic to head to the yoga studio, the gym, or even the park can shave off precious minutes of your ‘me’ time so why not just walk from your bedroom to your favorite device?

YogaDownload.com lets you do just that! I’m partial to practicing using my laptop when I practice at home because of its portability, but any device that is compatible with .MP4s will do.  You have option of streaming classes or downloading them to your device so you don’t need to be connected to wifi to practice!

What I Ate Wednesday: Gone Fishy (and Outer Spice Giveaway)

Hello Darlings!

I’ve been on a seafood kick lately. From fish to prawns to sushi, I’ve been loving everything that comes from the ocean (seaweed included!) So I thought I’d share some of my favorites from this past week!

One of the ‘make-it-simple’ ingredients that has been my go-to this past month is the line of spice blends from Outer Spice. I have been insanely busy and barely have time to think, let alone create a spice blend for every meal I eat.

One Step Protein Flapjacks: Kodiak Cakes Review & Giveaway!

Hello Darlings!

I am not a morning person. And because of that I’m not particularly fond of waking up to cook breakfast. (Brunch, however, completely different story.) So when there is a one-step way to make a delicious and healthy breakfast I can’t help but get excited. Kodiak Cakes, a whole grain and all-natural flapjack and waffle mix now with a protein-laden version, Power Cakes is just that! Just add water and you’re good to go!

Summer Drink Series: Lavender Whiskey Sour (& CamelBak Relay Pitcher Giveaway!)

Hello Darlings!

If you’ve been reading Chickadee Says for a while you might have noticed that I am rather obsessed with lavender. So when I was at the Blend Retreat in the beginning of June and spotted a lavender-whiskey cocktail on the menu at one of the distilleries in downtown Park City, I immediately ordered it. However, silly me didn’t think to ask about the ingredients until, well, when I decided to try to make it myself. So, while this isn’t a copy cat recipe, I most definitely was inspired by the lavender-whiskey combo!

A (Mostly) Wordless Wednesday: Wanderlust Aspen Snowmass

Hello Darlings!

I had an INCREDIBLE time at the Wanderlust festival in Aspen-Snowmass this past weekend, so I thought I would share a recap of sorts! If you’ve been following me on Instagram or Twitter you might have seen a few pictures, but I have plenty more (and love, love, love so many of the official pictures!) that I just have to share.

My first class, each mat had its own marker with beautiful saying on them.

I had planned on heading up to Wanderlust exploring with DSLR in hand, popping out of practice to photograph classes, but the energy and incredible teachers made that next to impossible. I wanted to really live and be in the moment so I am so very glad that there were plenty of photographers on hand to capture the essence of the festival.

Meatless Monday: Vegan Superfood Pesto

Hello Darlings!

In my mind summer food should be (and taste) fresh. From farmers markets to the produce aisles in health foods stores, the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies that summer has to offer is incredible. I bring that ‘fresh’ feeling to when I cook (think with heat) as well! I have a very large soft spot for pasta and when there is a profusion of basil on shelves or in stalls I can’t help but grab a bunch to make pesto!

This pesto recipe, however, is a bit different. At the beginning of June I was lucky enough to head to Utah for the Blend Retreat and spend time with lots of my fellow bloggers including Heather (take a peek at her re-branded website- it’s amazing!) who was sponsored by Nutrex Hawaii, and was giving out samples of their spirulina and BioAstin. I am officially hooked on their spirulina- I went out and bought a bottle of the powder.

The Color Run 2014: The Kaleidoscope Tour

Hello Darlings!

*Does happy dance* The Color Run is coming back into town! When they call the race ‘The Happiest 5k on the Planet,’ they aren’t kidding. I had such a blast last year and can’t wait to participate again this year.

I had been a bit intimidated by the idea of a 5k when I first signed up, I’m a sprinter, always have been, and generally speaking there was an audible grumble when I was told to run anything longer than 400 meters. However, The Color Run makes the 5k accessible. There are color stations along the way where you can walk, water coolers, and lots of people doing a walk-run-jog hybrid. Your pace is truly only up to you! Taking pictures in the colored dust? Totally cool, and smiled upon!

Summer Road Trip Essentials

Hello Darlings!

I adore summer. I love the heat, the energy, the excitement it brings, and the fact that summer is a road-trip enthusiast’s best friend! From a few hours up to the mountains or a cross country trek, I love taking road trips. A few good friends, top down in the Wrangler, blasting old-school hip hop and Willie Nelson, they are always a good time!

As with any trip, there are a few essentials that you should bring outside of the normal toiletries and driver’s license. I’ve included a few of my favorite healthy living essentials that I’ll be bringing on all of my trips this summer!