I have not been feeling super inspired when it comes to cooking lately. I think I’m just tired of cold weather foods (as I type this I have dinner in the crock pot) and I’m ready for seasonal ingredients and lighter fare. I can’t wait to fire up the grill for summer veggies and burgers.
It’s funny to me how when each season starts we’re all pumpkin, winter squash, apples, tomatoes, berries, etc. EVERYTHING but by the time the season is ending we’ve had our fun with it and are eagerly talking about the next. I think I’d have to say that summer is my favorite season for food with fall a close second. Winter just makes me want to hibernate and I’m like, “no more comfort food, soup and stews please.” (I ate chicken tortilla soup out of the freezer today for lunch.)
Here’s a look at what I’ve been eating lately.
Breakfast
Banana egg white oatmeal (recipe) topped with peanut butter and dandelion tea. I’ve mentioned this before but I’ve weaned myself off of coffee early in the morning. I drink hot lemon water and tea first thing and then coffee mid- to late morning. It feels great!
PB & J smoothie with blueberries, spinach, almond milk, bananas and lots of peanut butter. (At least my daffodils are blooming! That’s springy!)
Pear and cranberry oatmeal. I’ve been all about the oats since it’s been so rainy and cold.
Lunch
Sunday brunch with the girls at Nolen Kitchen. I’m obsessed with their breakfast pita. Scrambled eggs, oven roasted tomatoes, spinach, feta and cucumber yogurt wrapped in a warm and soft pita. I got grit and greens on the side and was VERY excited when the grits came with a heavy cheese topping.
I’ve made this tofu wrap twice this week. Trader Joe’s Wheat Flax tortilla with dijon mustard, a little honey, tofu, kale or spinach and colby jack cheese. I press it in a skillet to heat it up. I almost always prefer sandwiches and wraps warm. Leftover brussels sprouts on the side.
Dinner
This was an interesting creation. It was maple soy ginger baked salmon topped with a Sriracha sauce. I served it over spaghetti squash with sauteed eggplant, peppers and mushrooms.
Salad with leftover salmon. I loved this combination of kale, spinach, toasted pecans, butternut squash, honey goat cheese and dried cranberries. I also ate some leftover pizza on the side!
For Fun!
Chocolate Covered Raisin Oatmeal Cookies! I have a huge jug of chocolate covered raisins and had the epiphany to use them in a cookie. I love oatmeal raisin cookies so I thought the chocolate would take it up a notch. This recipe was okay but I can do better. I’ll share the recipe once I test another!
And then there’s this.
Sullie has been in maximum cuteness mode lately. Love her!
What’s your favorite season for eating? Sandwiches hot or cold?
I’ve been eating salads nonstop because I’m dying for warmer weather. Cannot wait for grill season. You’re right though, by the end of summer, all I want is pumpkin.
I am like you, I love the pumpkin, apple, and squash recipes until about…well now. I am ready for smoothies, strawberries, watermelon, and ice cream!
DITTO!
Yum! I need to try making a tofu wrap like that one of these days. I think I prefer warm sandwiches as well— the toasty wrap/bread just makes it. Oh, and the melty cheese 😉
I can’t wait for spring and summer produce!!
the melted cheese is where it’s at!
Summer all the time! Just being warm, tanned, and eating your meals outside makes me happy as do the delicious produce. I am more of a cold sandwich person, but always like my bread toasted, so it’s nice and crispy. 😉
eating outside is one of my most favorite things about summer!
Summer definitely! So many fresh veggies and fruit out and I LOVE going to the farmer’s market.
How are the TJ flax wraps?! Sound interesting but wondering what they taste like! Love these kinds of posts, they inspire me! 🙂
they are good! i keep them in the fridge and heat them in the microwave with a damp paper towel for about 20 seconds before using them. if you don’t heat them they split and break apart. they only have about 120 calories per wrap, which is nice. a lot of wraps have as many or more calories than bread! taste is great!
I love farmer’s markets and the fresh fruits and vegetables offered. I can’t wait to be grilling!
I used to love the giant jug of chocolate covered raisins from Costco! Even better in cookies… I am working on cutting down the coffee too!
yep, that is what is living in my pantry now thanks to my sweet grandmother! 🙂
Sullie is definitely looking cute!
I am very much a seasonal eater. I prefer the spring/summer foods…fruits and veggies. Give me ALL the berries!
Sullie is such a cutie 🙂
I don’t drink coffee in the morning either, my favorite tea lately has been Tazo Chun Mee green tea, do you like green tea? I’ve had the TM dandelion, but never bought it again.
My favorite season for eating in summer/fall, when I can eat out of the garden again.
i love green tea! my favorite is yogi green tea kombucha.
My favorite season for eating is definitely summer! I love fresh berries and yogurt, smoothies, and grilling out. I do tend to fall victim to the whole pumpkin craze come September, but then it gets real old, real fast for me!
And Sullie is adorable. Goldens are the best! I love how big their personalities are!
yes, my pumpkin tolerance lasts about 1 month and then i’m good until the next year.
and you described it perfectly with “big personality.” they are awesome!
Oh the pics of your sweet pup Sullie made me smile! No matter what is going on, dogs can always put me in a better mood. I can’t wait for summer-ready to bypass spring at this point for the chance to grill outdoors and BBQ with friends, I feel like I’ve been cooped up indoors way too long!
i so agree with dogs impacting mood. it’s so nice to come home to her sweet face and wagging tail!