Good morning from Sarasota! We arrived at my mother-in-law’s house early yesterday morning after two days of road trippin’ from North Carolina to Florida. We made a short pit stop at my parents’ place in Jacksonville where we spent the night on Wednesday and will be heading up to Clearwater later today to spend the weekend at my friend Leah’s house where we’ll be reunited with a bunch of our best friends from college. Lots of fun stuff to come!
But since it’s Friday, I must keep with tradition around here and share your weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post where we all chat about what we’re loving most each week. As always, I’d love to hear more about what’s making you smile in the comments section of this post!
Have a great weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Seeing Chase with His Great Grandma
There is something so special about seeing Chase with his great grandmother. Ryan’s grandma turned 90 in January but you’d be hard pressed to find someone more vivacious and bubbly. She is such a joyful person and to see her with Chase is so wonderful. She stares at him and holds him in a way that seems to put him at ease and make him flash his bashful little smile her way over and over again. (I couldn’t help but grin when she wanted to go peek in at Chase when he was napping just because she wanted to see him sleeping. So sweet!) I am so grateful Chase is loved by so many people and I’ve loved seeing Ryan’s family wrap him up in hugs and kisses amid lots of playtime during our visit!
For a while there, I was sprinkling nutritional yeast on everything and then, for some reason, I just kind of forgot about it. About two weeks ago when I was filling up on goodies from the bulk bins at Whole Foods, nutritional yeast caught my eye again and I filled up a bag of it to bring home. I’m so happy this stuff is back in my life! I love the cheesy flavor of nutritional yeast (it’s fabulous on eggs and sprinkled on roasted veggies) and the fact that it is a great source of B vitamins and protein is an added bonus!
If you’re new to nutritional yeast, I highly recommend using it to make a batch of Mmmm Sauce first. You won’t regret it! Mmmm Sauce is the best and tastes great on vegetables, salads, wraps, stir-fries, etc.
- “What I Never Knew I Always Wanted” by Carrie Underwood
Earlier this week, I somehow managed to find the strength to replace my beloved Adele CD with Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller album for the first time and have been listening to it in the background while I cook or play with Chase every day. One song caught me totally off guard and had me in tears before I even knew what was happening. For all the parents out there, listen to “What I Never Knew I Always Wanted” with caution. Beware of the waterworks! This mama could not stop crying.
- Blissful Bites Podcast with Nicole Culver
Whenever I go for a walk with Chase and Sadie, I like to use the time to listen to podcasts. I have a handful of favorites (Happier and NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me are two of them!) but I recently started listening to Nicole Culver’s Blissful Bites podcast and really enjoy it. Nicole speaks with entrepreneurs about their stories of success in a way that feels accessible but also quite inspirational. If you are a business owner or have an entrepreneurial spirit, I highly recommend it!
- Corned Beef and Cabbage
This traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal is one of my all-time favorites! When I was younger, my mom used to let me and my sister choose whatever meal we wanted for our birthday and I would often choose corned beef and cabbage for my birthday dinner. So random, right!? I am not sure why I love it so much or why I don’t make it more often, but I lucked out this year since both my mom and Ryan’s grandma made corned beef and cabbage for dinner when we visited them this week. Two nights in a row of one of my favorite meals? I’ll take it!
- Around the Web
Interesting reads: Can Personal Trainers Give Nutrition Advice? // Food, Fitness and Feeling Good: Paving Your Own Way
Food: 4 Easy Breakfasts with the Same 5 Ingredients // 10 Healthy Snack Ideas // Banana Spinach Smoothie Muffins
Fitness: 5 Best Bodyweight Ab Exercises // Pump You Up Workout Playlist // 21 Minute Bodyweight Workout
- Friday Flashbacks
30 Minute Total Body Blast Workout (This is a great at-home total body workout option! All you need are a set of dumbbells!)
Kale and Turkey Sausage Breakfast Casserole (This veggie-packed casserole is simple to make and can easily be prepped the night before if you’re looking to save time in the morning. The leftovers also hold up well for a couple of days in the fridge!)
Question of the Day
- What is one thing you are loving this week?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Great loving this week! I love nutritional yeast but def. don’t enjoy it enough!
The cabbage and corned beef look delicious, I haven’t had corned beef in aged but man, it’s the best!
Thanks for including my post and have a wonderful weekend away!
Julie! thank you so so much for including my podcast! It means a lot to me! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! xoxo
You’ve inspired me to try nutritional yeast! If it tastes cheesy I don’t think hubby will notice me sprinkling it on stuff 🙂 enjoy the sunshine, we just got back from Florida and it was magical.
Must get the nutritional yeast out. Perfect to use for a “cheesy” taste. Definitely will listen to Blissful Bites. Aways looking for a new motivational podcast!
Oh man, that song makes me cry every time. This week I’m loving these lactation cookies: http://columbiasc.citymomsblog.com/increase-your-milk-supply-ultimate-lactation-cookie-recipe/. I was struggling a little bit with my milk supply this last week, and these cookies REALLY help! Plus they’re delicious 🙂
Have a great weekend!
I LIVE on nooch! The best stuff!
Thanks for reminding me to use more nutritional yeast- I ran out awhile ago and haven’t bought more yet, going on the list for today. Have a fun and safe trip!
Can’t wait to try the Mmmm Sauce! I’v’e been buying nutritional yeast from the bulk bins at Whole Foods, too. Thanks for posting. Have a great Friday and enjoy FL!
I have never had corned beef and cabbage but the beef looks delicious! I love going home to visit and finding out my mom is making one of my favorite dishes.
Chase is so blessed to have a great grandma that loves him and gets to know him!
I always got to choose my birthday dinner every year and I too, always chose corned beef and cabbage!!! 🙂
Aw, that picture of your great grandmother with Chase is too precious. Enjoy the time with your family and friends! Also, thank you for featuring my workout playlist. Happy Friday!
This week I’ve started working out again, found a new diet which I absolutely love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2FHuYcsFYU , so far so good, even though i haven’t lost any weight yet, but I feel like I have all the energy in the world! 🙂 Happy Friday Everyone!
I’ve been adding nutritional yeast to EVERYTHING lately! It’s so good! Have a great weekend 🙂
Enjoy your time in Florida! I am from NC (Salisbury) but moved to Florida a few years ago and I love it here!
I recently made a batch of the Mmmm Sauce and loved it!
I am going to have to try to listen to Happier, you are not the only blogger to recommend it. I will also check out Blissful Bites, I’m not an entrepreneur, but I aspire to be one.
That song made me cry the very first time I heard it. I play it all the time in the car when my son is with me. One day he was crying in his seat, and it came on and he stopped. So now we play it whenever he is cranky!
“Mom” by Garth Brooks is another one that will make you cry!
Aw Chase with his great grandma is precious. Such sweet moments. Love nutritional yeast especially on homemade kale chips. I am loving that this week flew by and I got a lot of things checked off my list!
I’m plopping some corned beef and cabbage in my crockpot tomorrow! Yum 🙂
Carrie’s CD is fantastic! Both sassy and sweet. I listen to it on repeat at work all the time. I’m sure it’ll be even better in person, though…I’m going to see her in concert tomorrow!!
aw i love carrie underwood i havent heard this new cd! is nutritional yeast gluten free?
Nutritional yeast on popcorn is the best!!!!
I keep wanting to pick up nutritional yeast to try. I’ll look for some this weekend. It’s a great way to bump up protein and vitamins in a lot of dishes.
I love me some Carrie Underwood and nutritional yeast. But I do go in spurts where I forget about it and have to check my expiration date. I am loving this nice weather that is slowly happening (I live in midwest). We all have spring fever and have absolutely enjoyed being outside this past week…walks, runs, bike rides, baseball, dog walks……LOVE IT. Been looking at houses more south to enjoy this wonderful weather much longer. My dream….
Happy Friday! Thanks for reminding me about nutritional yeast, I totally forget about it and have some in the cabinet 🙂 I’ve never tried it on roast veggies, so I’m going to do that asap. I’m going to add that Carrie Underwood song to my playlist – I’m pregnant, so I’m sure it will have me crying all the tears! I’m loving warmer weather this Friday, I live in Ohio and it’s finally starting to get warm!
That Carrie Underwood album is so good! My favorite song on there is Smoke Break (I don’t smoke, but it’s a great song to run to! lol).
I LOVE Carrie Underwood! She’s coming to a county fair near us this summer and I want to see her live so bad. I’ve heard awesome things about the Blissful Bites podcast so I need to add it to my podcast list!
Never tried nutritional yeast…will do!
I am also loving time with family and seeing them love on our sweet little boy. It warms the heart! I am also loving the vtech learning walker for our 5 month old. Set it up this week and he loves it! Highly recommend it!
Oh Carrie, she does it again!
Oh my gosh, that Carrie Underwood song just opened the floodgates. As a new mom, I can relate so much to the lyrics.
I can’t wait to introduce my son to his great grandparents. The picture of Chase and his great grandmother is priceless.
Will def have to give nutritional yeast a try now!! 🙂
Awesome list! I’ve been very curious about trying nutritional yeast, but the same just sounds so iffy. I will definitely be picking some up this weekend now.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried corned beef… so strange! My family always says we are Irish… I’m slacking! 😉
Corned Beef and Cabbage was one of my favorites this week too! I agree, why don’t I make it sooner? Especially because I made it in my crockpot and it was SO EASY!
If you haven’t tried it already… you should check out Jamie Ivey’s Happy Hour podcast. It’s so fun and I look forward it every single week!
I need to get Carrie’s new CD and I have never even heard of nutritional yeast so I will have to look into that too! 🙂
Happy Friday! I am totally putting Nutritional yeast my grocery list, I’ve heard so many good things about it!
Let’s see….lately I’ve been loving salmon, actually! I had it Mediterranean style and teriyaki style! Both ways are SO GOOD. I’ve also been loving roasted Brussel sprouts–tastes absolutely to die for!
As soon as I’m off work, I will be headed home to watch one of my good friends get married! I’m looking forward to seeing some friends and family while I”m there, too. 🙂 Nutritional yeast…sounds interesting! I’ll have to put it on my radar. Have a great weekend!
Just got into Sarasota yesterday and loving my time on the beach! I, also, always asked my mom for corned beef and cabbage for birthdays. I am looking forward to making it next week when I get back to Brooklyn!
Thanks for the nutritional yeast tips. I picked some up a while ago and only used it by sprinkling it on veggies. I found it interesting but might have put too much on. I need to get on pinterest and find other ideas. Do you keep yours in the refrigerator or in the cabinet? I noted the jar said to refrigerate but your bulk bin comment has me wondering. Have a great weekend!
You have to check our Gretchen Rubin’s podcast “Happier”, especially since you love her books! Such a fun and uplifting one to listen to ?.
I love nutritional yeast and don’t use it enough. Thanks for reminding me! And I adore Carrie Underwood and need to check out her new album. Have a fabulous weekend!
Great links! I’m excited to check out that podcast!
I am obsessed with podcasts and must get on this one, thanks for sharing xo C
Thanks for the nutritional yeast reminder – I also love it, but totally forget about how delicious it is! I do sprinkle it on my dog’s food every morning for extra nutrition + to keep fleas away!
Hi Julie! Hope you’re having a great time in Florida with your friends and fam! Theres nothing quite like being in your hometown (or home state) 🙂
Podcast recommendation for you: check out ‘Modern Love’. I binge listened to it this weekend and I seriously cannot get enough. I think you’d really love it!
Looking forward to your Florida recap!
Lots of love from Toronto!
Your cabbage and beef dinner looked amazing! It’s funny, here in ireland we don’t really have a St.Patrick’s day ‘dinner’. We do always start the morning of with a HUGE breakfast though! Hope you enjoyed your weekend!
http://www.ablondeinanairport.com
I went to Carrie Underwood’s concert when she was in Jacksonville. Fl! While she sang that song she watched videos of her son on the jumbo-trons! It was SO SWEET!
Omg. I just sobbed listening to the Carrie Underwood song. Agh. Motherhood and all those hormones.. I tell ya.
Thanks for sharing
RIGHT!?!? ALL THE TEARS!!!