Weekend Recap

Thursday (8.9.12): Spent the day at Valleyfair, something we have been meaning to do for years.

Big breakfast for a big day: quinoa cooked in coconut milk with
cinnamon & bananas

Lunch break before going on more rides

Waiting in line

At the top of the ferris wheel with Snoopy in the background

Scene straight out of Little Big League

Weekend Recap

Friday (7.20.12): Mark worked from home. After he was done working we went to the mall so he could study and I could shop. We ended our mall excursion by eavesdropping on interviews being conducted inside the Barnes & Noble during the job fair. That was fun. Then we went home, ate some dinner, and watched some Netflix.

Mark started watching Firefly for the first time last week

Restaurant Review: California Pizza Kitchen (Maple Grove Location)

Lunch date at California Pizza Kitchen

Every Sunday we take Chloe to the dog park because it's our day off from running and she deserves to be able to sprint at her speed every once in awhile. We usually take her to the Fish Lake dog park over by where we go grocery shopping. It’s a nice fenced in area within a big park, but sometimes we like to spoil her and make the drive over to the massive Elm Creek dog park.

The Elm Creek dog park is 30 acres of fully fenced dog paradise. It also has a swimming pond for the dogs to cool off in so yes, this is quite the treat for Chloe.

One Sunday at the beginning of June (6.3.12) I needed to go to Victoria’s Secret to look for a strapless bra and there just so happened to be one located relatively close to the Elm Creek park meaning on this day Chloe would be a lucky dog.

Getting ready to run into the pond

Cooling off at Elm Creek dog park

Fast-forward past wet, smelly dog and success at Victoria’s Secret and it was lunch time. We usually try to plan when we eat out as it keeps us conscious of the fact that we are doing it. Something that has helped our overall physical and financial health, but when hunger calls we listen.

Microwavable Carob Mug Cake

Carob mug cake with "white" mug cake

Back in my post about Chloe's 3rd birthday I wrote about her carob mug cake we made for her birthday dessert. Here is the recipe:

Microwavable Carob Mug Cake
Adapted slightly from here


Serves 1


Ingredients:


3 tablespoons of flour

2 tablespoons carob powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon applesauce

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:


In a mug stir together all dry ingredients really well.

Add liquid ingredients and mix well again.

Microwave on high for 45-60 seconds.

Notes:


* Can be made vegan by using non dairy milk

Weekend Recap

Friday (7.6.12):


There are no pictures for our Friday night. I was feeling a little under the weather so we stayed in and lounged. We did watched Breakfast at Tiffany's for the first time and were pleasantly surprised that we thoroughly enjoyed it. I think we were expecting a semi chick flick/romance, but appreciated how different the movie was as opposed to if it were made today.

Saturday (7.7.12):

Morning:

Farmer's Market Swag:
-Bok Choy
   -Swiss Chard
-Broccoli
-Onions  
 -Tomatoes
  -Blueberries

Turkey Momos with Tomato Chutney

Us enjoying our momos from the farmers market

Chloe's 3rd Birthday

Chloe at 2 months

As I mentioned before Chloe's birthday is July 5th, which makes the holiday extra special. Unfortunately Mark had to work this year, so we just waited and celebrated after he came home. Since we planned a picnic dinner at the dog park I spent part of the day prepping. I wanted something quick that would travel fairly well. I was thinking chicken but Mark suggested tofu which fit more into the "quick" category (can't beat ready to eat protein).

As I was running I brainstormed what to make with the tofu. Stir fry popped into my head first but that meant turning on the stove, something I was trying to avoid. After deliberating with myself for awhile I settled on tofu kabobs because it was different than stir fry (my go-to), had veggies but wasn't a salad (something Mark appreciated), and didn't require the stove.

Our Fourth of July Holiday

Fireworks in Bloomington

Besides Mark's birthday, the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. I love being outside in the sun, grilling out, and especially watching the fireworks. What makes the fourth even that more special is it happens to also be Mark's niece's birthday AND the day before Chloe's birthday. Unfortunately because the fourth fell smack dab in the middle of the week this year and we were exhausted, we didn't make it out to Mark's parents' house with the rest of the family to celebrate. But fear not, living in a big city has many perks so we still had a great holiday.