Bloob picking and vacation time

Happy Monday everyone!

How was your weekend? Mine was busy, busy! On Saturday I got a workout in then I went grocery shopping to numerous stores, picked blueberries, and then had my sister-in-laws over for dinner and a movie! Ya, Let's just say I didn't quite make it through the movie before sleep got the better part of me:) It was a great day though because I LOVE to grocery shop and see what's fresh and in season!

What I love more is to pick bloobs! It's so much fun to be outside in the sunshine picking glorious blueberries. My picking philosophy is 2 in the mouth, 1 in the bucket. HAHA! I was so full by the time I had to go.. but I just couldn't help myself:) The farm that I pick it is literally 2 minutes from my work so I just stop in there on my way home, pick 5 lbs, and I've got dessert! I actually picked on Friday and Saturday..all those berries are gone! Ryan and I are addicts and then we shared a bunch with my SILs on Saturday night. I can't wait to make some fresh, raw dessert with them. I've been drawn to raw pies and tarts lately so I can't wait to try one of those out!

Oh the blueberry...such a marvelous fruit! How I have missed thee!

Mmmm..blueberry heaven!

My stash!

A nice close up!! Are you drooling yet? Or am I the only blueberry fanatic out there?

On Sunday we slept in and man that was nice! We then went to the mall and we did a bunch of shopping for upcoming wedding showers. It's the first time I've been shopping in forever...bummer it wasn't for me lol! I then went to my cousin's wedding shower and we had a good time chatting and playing some fun games! Ohh the memories:) Then I spent the evening stringing up my beans in the garden and working on my secret wedding project!

And some exciting news..well for me anyways..I'm on vacation as of tomorrow!! I'm heading back home to celebrate my best friend's wedding week! She is getting married on Saturday and I'm the maid of honour! I'm going by myself too (Ryan's staying behind until Friday to tend to my garden...and to work) so it's going to be a nice time with my BFF, my mom, and of course this little guy...

Yep, I'm taking Nemo with me because Ryan's schedule is all over the place and so this way he doesn't have to worry and Nemo can hang out with the ladies:) He's such a pro traveler now so we just put him in his cage and go!

I've got a million things to pack including five flats of raspberries and 10lbs of blueberries that my family back home have ordered! I hope my little car makes it!

And for a little bit of fashion...here is a pict of my dress! I'm actually going to pick it up today in its altered form! I had to take it in a little and I shortened it so that it sits above the knee. Since I'm on the shorter side, I find dresses that go beyond the knee make me look funny. So, I'm showing off a little more leg!! Ha!

I'm not sure if I'm going to be blogging at all the rest of the week as my mom doesn't have the Internet! I may go for an early session at a coffee house or something but I am going to soak up all the time I can because I don't get to see my bestie very often as she lives 10 hours north of me! So, you might see me you might not! If not, I will for sure have a MASSIVE post for you on Monday:)

Have a wonderful week everyone and remember that you are ALL AMAZING!!

Chow for now!!!

Market Finds and salad frenzy!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Phew! It's another hot one here today. At 7AM it was 19 degrees! Yet, you know how cool and crisp the summer mornings are? I really love this time - for running, working out, reflection, whatever really. I think there is something about the morning freshness that makes me feel empowered (especially knowing I better get moving because in a couple of hours I'm going to be a sweaty mess LOL).

I mentioned yesterday that I was going to check out my local market, and I did!! It's pretty small but it still had some great vendors.

I bought a lot of produce from this vendor. The farm is essentially a coop. You pay (a lot) and become a member/part owner of the farm and you get all the veggies you could eat.

Organic beets, organic carrots, cucumbers, mini-bell peppers (hothouse),

tomatoes, local clover honey

Mmmm raw honey:)

And these two organically grown plant babies. Some more kale because apparently 12 plants isn't enough for this household!! And chamomile because I love adding different herbs to the garden. I want to make chamomile tea and maybe some beauty products!

Not bad for $20! I found some of the vendors were a bit unrealistic in their pricing. Especially when a vendor just down the way had the same produce for a lower price. Oh well, their loss I guess. I did talk to a few raspberry vendors and one said to call to see about bulk pricing. I called her when I got home and she said that she would call me if there were some left from the market. In the mean time, I created 3 salads for dinner.

I heard so much great stuff about the massaged kale salad that I decided to give it a go. I went with Gena's recipe as I did it on the fly and her recipe came up on my google search. I know she is a trusted resource for yumminess:)

Baby kale from the garden:)

This salad was pretty good. It needed something though and I'm not sure

if it was more avocado or more spice!

What is your go-to massaged kale salad?

Next up is one of my favorite salads, especially when its scorching outside.

Tomato, cucumber, onion, and sprouts (optional) drizzled with some EVOO and vinegar (I used rice) and topped off with some sea salt and pepper. Mmmm!!

The third salad you have seen already but its so good that I thought I should put it the spotlight again!

Tabouli!! I just love this salad. It is summer in a bowl!

After eating up all this fresh goodness, I got the call saying there were some berries left if I was still interested. Well, I jumped in my car lickedy-split and headed over to their farm (5 minutes away) and scooped up 5 lbs of raspberries and 5lbs of blueberries. I'm in HEAVEN!! I love fresh berries so much:)

Bloobs!

They are so delish and not sprayed!! Wahoo! I plan on getting a ton more for freezing over the winter. Why not? They are literally in my back door and cheaper than buying the frozen stuff every week!

Have a wonderful rest of your day!! I'm going to the okanagan for a weekend of digging my feet in the sand and soaking up the rays. Hope you have a wonderful sunny weekend! I may be back to post tomorrow, if not I'll talk to you all on Monday!

XOXOXO