Hi everyone! I hope your week is off to a nice start. It’s been so great to be in Florida with my parents for a few days. I’ve enjoyed the down time, extra sleep, break from teaching/training and being able to help out a little around here. I’ll be sad to go home tomorrow.
The most exciting news I have to share with you is that I have finally convinced my dad to start contributing to the blog! He cooks up a storm and is always giving me new ideas and inspiration. This morning he documented how to make homemade yogurt from start to finish for a tutorial we’ll be posting soon. We’ve been going over photography tips and general food blogging 101. This is like my dream come true to have my dad participate in something he’s given me such a passion for! It’s going to be awesome!
The weather was gorgeous the first two days I was here.
I spent Saturday and Sunday planted in a beach chair all afternoon reading and swimming. Love that it’s still so warm here in October. Perfect beach weather.
My dad delivered lunch on the beach both days. Turkey and avocado on homemade sourdough.
And I drank a Diet Coke both days. I gave them up years and years ago but something about the beach and the sun made me crave it. I remain firmly in the camp that a little splurge here and there will not be the end of “healthy living.”
Yesterday the clouds started rolling in and we had some pretty massive storms overnight.
But luckily it wasn’t a beach day anyway. We had to go to Pensacola for the day for a doctor’s appointment so my parents took me to Joe Patti’s while we were there to experience this massive seafood market.
It was insane! So much fresh fish and so crowded. When you came in you took a number and waited to be called up. We bought Caribbean Grouper and Sea Bass.
We’ve stayed in and cooked at home most every night (which I prefer!) but did go out to Graffiti one night.
The place mats are a blank sheet of paper and there are crayons on every table. I proceeded to draw (terribly) a runner girl and a CrossFit girl…while drinking a glass of wine. 😉
And every night has ended like this.
It’s good to be here! 🙂
What’s your favorite part of visiting your family? What foods does the beach make you crave?
Ahh. I love that you’re dad is getting involved! It’s the best thing ever when you have that connection with a parent and can teach them what you know. Recently, my mom took her health in to her own hands and is starting to eat clean and embrace fresh, organic cold-pressed juices. She looks and feels amazing and has decreased the amount of prescription medicine she is on. It’s so awesome I am able to give her tips and tools to continue on this journey! And when you shared your news about your dad, it reminded me of that 🙂
And beach cravings … grapes, pineapple and mint. I always stock up on those for the beach. Great to snack on and/or throw into your chilled wine and call it a sangria! haha.
Family is awesome! I was so fortunate to connect with them this weekend to see my brother get married! They are grounding and comforting- they are love~
I crave fruit on the beach- ice cold! And waffles for breakfast- so weird! Growing up, I would have 2 eggo-waffles and then hit the beach boogie boarding for hours…I think the waffles aided in my ability to not get eaten by sharks! 🙂
Your parents need to open a B&B so that I can come and stay with them! Your weekend sounds awesome!! 🙂
oh man – that beach + that sandwich = amazing!! 🙂
You look so happy! 🙂 I always crave ice cream at the beach…and salty snacks!
Go dad PBR! I really need to convince my mom to guest post or at least contribute in some way!
So adorbs that your dad is going to contribute! It will be a nice way to span the FL-NC distance for you two. Going home is definitely a lot about the food for me, but I miss a lot of that now that we split time between my husband’s family in Seattle and mine on the east coast. My mom now seems to feel the need to compensate for lost feedings by shoving insane amounts of food at me when I go home. It’s honestly a bit overwhelming! Not that I’m complaining…
Love that you are getting your dad involved! I have my dad working on some posts for right around the NYC marathon since he ran it three times. I thought it would offer another perspective (a funny perspective too) since he was definitely in the back of the pack and can share some good stories/info….I love coloring on the placemats! Mim’s, a restaurant here in NY, is the best for that.
Looks like a wonderful weekend! I love spending time with my parents too. We drink beer and just talk and laugh. 🙂
The beach always makes me crave fried foods. The last time I went to the beach I had popcorn chicken; it was delicious.
My parents live in that area as well and October is absolutely the best time to be there. Weather is still beautiful but the summer crowds are all gone. I’m excited to hear about your dad’s food blogging – I plan to try the shrimp taco salad that you posted yesterday and look forward to your dad’s future contributions!
Looking forward to your Dad’s posts, he sounds like a great cook. I make sourdough bread(there isn’t any good bread to buy where I live) and kefir from my friends fresh goats milk.
There is nothing better than homemade meals from your parents! There is that extra TLC that you can almost taste. I crave my Mom’s meatballs and spaghetti whenever I venture back to NJ. The beach is my happy place…I just love being covered in salt water and a hearty sandwich, which usually looks pretty similar to yours. So glad you had a great trip and cannot wait for your Dad’s posts! 🙂
There is something so relaxing about visiting my parents. I feel like all my problems go away when I “retreat” to my small hometown and enjoy the view from their deck! I love that your Dad is going to start contributing to the blog. My Dad has always been a great influence on my healthy lifestyle from a young age and I love that we share that passion! I also gave up diet coke, but agree that one is necessary from time to time! I can’t say that I crave anything in particular on the beach, but Gluten Free Beer is my go to!
It’s so adorable and wonderful that your dad is going to contribute to your blog! My mom is an English teacher and a few years ago started her own blog and I absolutely love reading it. Blogging can definitely be a family affair!
Welcome to the Emerald Coast! Looks like you’re in our neck of the woods. Did you go to Graffiti in Destin? We’ve seen Dread Clampitt play there a couple of times (fun band). Can’t beat the sugar white sand we have here! Enjoy your vacation and your time with family 🙂
What a perfect couple of days! I can’t wait to watch your dad’s tutorial on homemade yogurt.
I love going home in the winter and it is 70 degrees! My Dad lives in Orlando.
what a nice vaca ! i loooove the beach and i crave things we had there when i was a kid like cheese danish and sugary cereal in the morning (my mom never let us eat like this at home but on vaca we could), mac & cheese for lunch with chips, and then things like ice cream or popsicles after a long day at the beach.
u know…i crave pop sometimes to now that ive given it up but its mostly with foods like pizza or here and there is we go out and someone orders a big fountain pop. or mcdonalds cuz i felt like they had the best fountain diet coke. Also sometimes i crave a root beer in the bottle cuz it reminds me of my grandpa. funny how foods have such a pull on us for memories.
I haven’t seen Ben & Jerry’s froyo… I’m guessing it’s healthier than their ice cream. Will have to look for it!
Can that homemade sourdough tutorial be next??? Please please please!!
So so glad you were able to relax & I’m
So excited that you’re dad is going to contribute! How awesome!
So excited for your dad to be contributing to PBR! I sense your love of his inspiration on your cooking! Hope you made it to Balance Health for a kick ass yoga class with Kelli James Precourt! Or Melissa Sue Davis!
That beach needs me. Or I need it… either way. It’s so sweet to do that with your dad. My dad and I always wanted to start a cooking school for children, but IF that ever happens, he would need to move closer to me. We can’t move because of Rob’s law enforcement job.