We’ll be enjoying another weekend at home without too many commitments on our calendar. Can I get a heck yes!? Gosh I just love low key weekends so darn much. I’m hoping we will find some fun indoor activities to occupy our energetic little toddler because the weatherman has us believing it will be a cold weekend in Charlotte with a possible chance of snow on Sunday. Eek!
And on that chilly note, it’s time for your usual Things I’m Loving Friday shenanigans! See below for a short roundup of some things that are making me smile this week.
Have a fantastic weekend, my friends!
Thing I’m Loving Friday
- Chameleon Cold Brew
I’ve wanted to hop on board the cold brew coffee phenomenon for a while because I’m a sucker for good marketing and so many cold brew companies make their bottles look so darn appealing but when it comes to coffee, I like it H-O-T and flavored. I know you can heat up cold brew coffee but I haven’t seen many options for flavored cold brew coffee without added sugar so I was psyched when I stumbled upon Chameleon Organic Vanilla Cold Brew thanks to a smiling woman passing out free samples at the grocery store. One sip and I was sold and though I’m still sipping on hot coffee in the mornings, I’ve been using the cold brew to make mocha smoothies and will also occasionally drink a cup of iced cold brew with whole milk with and early lunch if I need an extra zip of energy.
- In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen
I finished In Farleigh Field last weekend and it was such a great read! I downloaded the book when I read a few reviews that said it was action-packed and a “Downton Abbey lover’s dream.” The book is set in England during World War II and centers around the death of a mysterious man who fell to his death on Lord Westerham’s estate when his parachute failed. His uniform raises suspicions and family friend and MI5 operative Ben Cresswell is secretly tasked with determining if the man is a German spy. This allows Ben to work closely with his (unrequited) childhood love, the bright Pamela Westerman, one of Lord Westerham’s five daughters, who happens to be in love with Ben’s best friend. The story definitely reminded me of Downton Abbey, filled with family drama and a healthy dose of intriguing plotlines. It was a great read and I highly recommend it, especially if you love historical fiction like I do!
I’m sharing this podcast here for the food bloggers out there! I feel like my time is so limited when it comes to keeping up with the latest and greatest trends in blogging and social media and I’ve found myself turning to the Chopped Podcast for little nuggets of information since I can listen and multitask! Since I’m relatively new to the podcast and there are 100 episodes out there already, I just pick and choose based on topics that interest me and listen while I’m walking Sadie or cooking in the kitchen. I almost always take something valuable away from every episode and it’s a great resource for me as a blogger and also makes me feel less alone in some of my blog-related challenges. Definitely worth a listen if you are a food blogger!
- Frozen Cauliflower in Smoothies
Yup, you read that right! I’ve been incorporating frozen cauliflower into my smoothies for a few weeks now after I saw my friend Danielle do it in an Instagram Stories pic. Even though the above picture doesn’t do much to make it look appealing (spinach is to blame for the putrid color), you guys have to try it out! It’s basically the new spinach in smoothies… An extra boost of veggies without altering the taste of your smoothie at all. If anything, I think cauliflower in smoothies makes them even creamier. Stay tuned for a smoothie bowl recipe with frozen cauliflower on the blog soon!
- Friday Flashbacks
Quiet Workout (Perfect for naptime, hotel travel or apartment living!)
10 Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes (Knowing I have a tasty bowl of overnight oats waiting for me or a veggie-packed frittata ready in the fridge makes eating a satisfying breakfast first thing in the morning a million times easier! This post highlights some of my favorite make-ahead breakfast recipes.)
- Around the Web
Food: Greek Shrimp and Farro / Sesame Shrimp Mango Quinoa Bowls / Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes / Crunchy Chocolate Strawberry Truffles / Single-Serve Paleo Microwave Brownie
Fitness: How to Fuel for a Long Run / Superset Pyramid Time Challenge Workout / HIIT At Home Workout Video / Burn Boot Camp At Home Workout
Question of the Day
What is one thing you are loving right now?
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Happy Friday! I am loving all things Darin Olien right now! He is a superfood hunter and he gives A TON of free tips on his blog at SuperLife.com. This isn’t a plug, or I guess it is, but I just needed to share because I think you’d love his health-tips! He goes into the science of why superfoods are super and how to make them even more so! It’s all pretty interesting. I’m hooked! He does a Facebook Live today at 3 pm EST, too! I’ll be there! Totally loving all the information he has to share!
That book sounds so good! I’m trying to read more and I think I really just need to pick up a few new good books. I haven’t been into either of the new ones I’ve started lately, but haven’t officially given up on them yet, which just means I’m not reading much. I’m going to check my library for In Farleigh Field!
It was JUST released so it may not be at your library yet (unless your library is really great about getting new releases promptly!) but the author has a few other books out there that look really intriguing that they might already have on the shelves!
Oh okay, thank you! I will check out some of her other books then. I’m trying not buy any new books for a while because I have a LOT that I haven’t read yet. They’re almost all books people have given me though, which is great, but sometimes I just want to pick one out myself!
Oooo I’m totally going to try cauliflower in smoothies! I make a green smoothie everyday – almond milk, banana, pb (with flax and chia seeds from Trader Joe’s!), ice and a TON of spinach. It’s delish!
And ugh I’m really not looking forward to colder weather!! This warm weather has been too great – we’ve been outside everyday and have been loving it.
Enjoy your weekend!!!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Yay for Friday, but boo for these chilly temperatures. I knew we would pay for that warm February. I def need to try cold brew AND I have seen so many people using cauliflower in smoothies. Maybe I’ll try it this week instead of adding my usual kale or spinach.
Happy Friday! I will have to try out that author…..I am always looking for new books. Right now I am reading The Woman in Cabin 10, which I am really enjoying.
I am looking forward to a weekend in Virginia with some college girlfriends and their kids. Should be fun!
Have a great weekend, Julie!
Thank you for the book recommendation! I miss Downton Abbey so much – it was one of my all time favorite series to watch (maybe I should just watch it again!?)
I’m loving Dave’s Killer Bread, specifically the 21 grain thin sliced. I toast it up and top it with avocado and an egg, or peanut butter and banana. This morning I topped it with cream cheese and raspberry preserves – heaven.
Dave’s Killer Bread is AMAZING! We buy it all the time, too!
eeeek def don’t know if i can get down with cauliflower in smoothies!!! changing subjects… it has been 75 here in st louis lately and we have a chance of snow this week too! boo!
Oooh – downloading the Chopped podcast right now! Thanks for the recommendation!
I’m not sure I can get behind cauliflower in smoothies, haha, BUT I can totally see how it would be pretty tasteless!
Chameleon also has a Texas Pecan flavored cold brew and it’s very tasty! Not sure about the exact sugar content but I believe there’s not any added sugar in that version either.
We’re currently getting snow in Connecticut (after it was 70 degrees yesterday)! It’s been such a weird/mild winter even in the Northeast, not that I’m complaining AT ALL.
I’ve been experimenting with frozen chopped butternut squash in my smoothies. My toddler’s best veggie source is whatever I can put into a smoothie these days, so I’m definitely going to try the cauliflower as well.
Ooh, that coffee looks delicious. I’ve seen that around the internet quite a bit lately and am really hoping to try it soon! I’m also looking to a low-key weekend without too many plans – my favorite kind. Have a great one (:
I love cold brew in the summers–I haven’t seen a flavored one like that before–looks great! I like to pour coffee in ice cube trays and use it in my iced coffees so that it doesn’t get watered down.
Hope you have a lovely low key weekend. I am planning to do the same! We are getting snow today and it will be cold all weekend. This calls for some hibernation and soup haha!
I’m so with you on low key weekends! i love NOT having plans haha. I see so many bloggers using frozen cauliflower! So interesting. Not sure if I can get on board- the thought of it!
One of my friends recommended Rhy Bowen’s “Royal Spyness” series and it has become one of my favorites! A little cheesy at times but it’s such a quick and fun read if you like historical spy mysteries!
After loving her most recent book, I want to go back and read some of her others!
I’m loving having a freezer drawer full of pre-made meals because I’ve got a lot of work commitments coming up and having the “heavy lifting” done is a big help!!
Have a great low key weekend! 🙂
Thanks for the book recommendation! I have been binging on historical fiction for the last year. I will add this on to my list!
Here are a couple of my favs:
– Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
– The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig
– The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams (her other novels are A+ too!)
– At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen (author of Water for Elephants)
I left The Nightingale off the list assuming you have read that one. If not, its a MUST!
Enjoy!
Thank you for these recommendations!!!
Julie,
This Friday, I am loving my Takeya Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker (https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-Coffee-Maker-1-Quart-Black/dp/B00FFLY64U) which you should DEFINITELY check out. I had to stop drinking hot brewed coffee because of the high acid content, and I was lamenting the fact that coffee was going to be a once in a while thing when I heard about this cold brew pitcher.
Basically you can put any ground coffee into the filter, fill the pitcher up with water, and wait about 12-24 hours, and voila! You have cold brew coffee that you can drink cold or hot, and add whatever you might want to it. I make new batches almost every day, and store whatever we already have in mason jars in our fridge at home or at work. It’s about $18 right now at that link on amazon, so it’s basically paid for itself by now.
Love your blog!
Cauliflower has been my latest love, too! It definitely makes smoothies creamy (as strange as it sounds). I love it in acai bowls, too!
Enjoy your possible snow! We have a chance on Sunday, but it is supposed to be warm here in Colorado this weekend-Mid-40s!! Almost time to bust out the summer clothes 😉 We still have about 3 feet of snow in the yard. No biggie.
I’m a huge fan of podcasts too! I listen to them on my way to school and at work. I’ll have to check out Chopped, I’ve never heard of it before.
I am now officially intrigued in putting cauliflower into my smoothies! Sounds strange, but I’m not afraid of an adventure 😉 plus creamy smoothies are life. Hope you have a fantastic weekend Julie!
YES thanks for the make ahead breakfasts!!!
http://cuckoolemon.com
Hi Julie! I’ll check out the Chopped Podcast, thanks for that. I don’t know if you’ve ever listened to The Model Health Show — but it is BY FAR the best podcast EVER out there. I LOVE IT! And I got to meet and work with the guy who does it, Shawn, and he is awesome. So is his book Sleep Smarter. Totally check it out if you haven’t yet. Enjoy your weekend. Stay warm!!
Thank ou for the recommendations! I haven’t listened to The Model Health yet and am always on the lookout for new podcasts!
That coffee sounds good, I didn’t know they had flavors! I don’t buy that stuff because its $$ but I make extra strong coffee and put it in the fridge the night before and thats my iced coffee, haha. I’m loving sparking water this week
I have NEVER heard of cauliflower in smoothies! My interest is piqued… I’ll have to try that soon, since the weather here in Denver is starting to warm up. <3
I need to look into that podcast – we just got back into them on our last road trip. We love listening to Criminal together on late drives – it’s a great way to stay awake! Have a great weekend!
I just finished 20 pushups in my office and then read this post..I needed this workout in my life!
That cold brew coffee sounds amazing!
Things I’m loving lately: Plantain fried in coconut oil, Master Chef Jr. (My husband and I watch every week and those kids are so impressive), and writing on my new blog! Thanks for being such an inspiration for me, Julie!
I love adding frozen zucchini and squash to my smoothies, too. Can’t taste it at all!
I’ve been listening to the Chopped podcast on my drive to/from work and love the extra inspiration! Have you checked out Blissful Bites? It’s similar and also geared towards food bloggers.
We’re looking at a weekend of cold and snow too… can’t it just be spring already?!
I just started adding pulsed frozen cauliflower into meatballs (as well as a ton of other veggies) for a grain free meatballs and it’s been great – I never thought of adding it to smoothies!
I’ve been seeing Cauliflower in smoothies on Instagram too. It such is having a moment!
Love the frozen cauliflower idea!
Looking forward to that cauliflower smoothie recipe! Have a great weekend Julie.
I love loving Jamie Iveys “The Happy Hour” podcast. She has on women in all different stages of life and it has been such a blessing to me especially with two crazy toddlers running around. I think you would love it!
okay i’ve seen this cauliflower thing ALL over and haven’t tried it yet!! i need to remind myself to pick some up on my next trip to the grocery store…
and i totally feel you on the podcast thing! i haven’t heard of the chopped one yet, but i’ll have to give it a listen! i love putting them on when i’m on a walk during my lunch – makes me more motivated to keep moving! have a great weekend 🙂
Wahhh, I just gave up coffee and soda for lent, but this vanilla cold brew sounds incredible! I will be adding in coffee back to my life following the lent season (hopefully not coffee though), so I’ll be on the lookout for that when the 40 days are over.
You had me at “Downton Abbey lover’s dream.” Oh yes, adding this to my list! Woo hoo!
I’m surprised about cauliflower, but then I shouldn’t be, because I use frozen cauliflower in my scrambled eggs all the time, makes me feel like I have potatoes in there. I’m intrigued by this idea!
I always love how many good recommendations you have on your blog. You’re the best! Your weekend sounds like a good one, have fun! I’m going to an 80’s party on Saturday night! lol
Omg frozen cauliflower in my smoothies has been my new obsession! I love it because I don’t need to add ice which means it doesn’t get watery halfway through me slurping it down.
I haven’t tried cauliflower in smoothies, I’ll have to give a go next time. I love when my smoothie gets that perfect creamy texture.
Thing I’m loving: my new kitchen. I want to bake/cook/eat all the things.
I really need to look into those make ahead breakfasts. It’s my favorite meal of the day, but I really don’t have very much time to spend on it before heading off to school in the mornings. I’m definitely going to have to give some of those recipes a go.