Outerbanks Update & Recipe

Happy Friday! 3 more days left on Vacation 😦 I thought I would give you guys an update on how my vacation is going so far by playing the number game. Here it goessss.

27 

trips so far down the stairs to the beach

15

pounds of candy brought

11 

times the boys have planked/owled

4

theme nights so far (Italian, Hawaiian, Mexican & American)

1

restaurant trip (which was AMAZING)

Sweet Potato Biscuits

House salad w/ feta red wine vinaigrette

Fresh Rockfish in a mango coulis with blueberries, rice & broccoli

 The restaurant won best dessert. Would it shock you to tell you I picked the peanut butter chocolate chip cheesecake? Didn’t think so.

5

Happy Hour’s attended (at home)

Watermelon Spritzer

2

trips to Harris Teeter. LOVE.

1

beautiful sunrise (i’ve been sleeping in!)

3

times I’ve complained that I’m SO burnt.

but I keep laying out

6

desserts made and still 4 more to come

300

good memories and lots more to come 🙂

1

recipe to share with you

This is a staple in our family – We make this ALL the time because a.) it’s that good and b.) it takes about 5 minutes. It’s not exactly “homemade” but nobody would ever know.

Strawberry Banana Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 Large Box Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding
• 1 Small Box Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding
• 2 1/4 cups of COLD unsweetened Almond Milk
• 2 Tubs of Sugar Free Cool Whip
• 5 Bananas
• 2 lbs of Strawberries
• 1 box of Mini Vanilla Wafers

Directions

• Whisk almond milk and pudding in a large bowl
• Fold in bananas

• Fold in 2 containers of cool whip

• Add one layer of mini vanilla wafers to a 9×13 dish

• Add 1/2 of pudding mixture on top of vanilla wafers
• Add another layer of vanilla wafers on top of the mixture and spoon remaining mixture on top of cookies

• Cut strawberries in half and add to the top

• Cool in fridge until ready to serve or serve immediately

Warning: You will not be able to settle on one serving of this.

De.freaking.licious.

Now if you’ll excuse me i have to go soak in the sun.

QUESTIONS: Do you take family vacations? Whats your favorite memory??

Beat the Heat

Who knew when I moved NORTH that I would be living in 120 degree weather?? Not this girl. I woke up with quite the appetite and was craving oatmeal. Really? When there’s a heat wave outside?? I had to talk myself out of it by promising oats in a different version.

Plain Greek Yogurt with fresh blueberries and Chocolate Almond Butter Granola. I had to make more because I’m now officially obsessed with it. Look how chunky it is, it’s just plain perfect.

I walked to the gym (because I’m crazy) and begged them to give me a free pass (because I’m unemployed and can’t afford $100 a month on a gym membership) so I could take a class. They did. I have a charming smile.

See?

I took a new to me class at said gym. It was a Les Mills class (like body pump, body combat etc) called CX30. Ever heard of it?? CX30 is a 30 minute class that targets your core. You do 6 sets – 2 on the ground, 2 standing and 2 more on the ground. I really liked it and hope to one day (soon) be able to join that gym so I can be a frequent CX30 class taker.

After class I got in a quick 15 minutes of cardio and headed home in the heatwave. I was ready for lunch so I whipped up another no oven necessary meal. A quick salad:

Romaine Lettuce, leftover black bean burger, corn, cottage cheese, cucumber and a slice of avocado.

I need to pack because I leave for vacation tomorrow and I haven’t even pulled out my suitcase! Such the procrastinator. Truth is, I work better under pressure! 🙂

Tonight I have a date at Smith and Wollensky’s to spend some QT with this QT before I leave

But first, for favorite Friday I thought I’d do my favorite ways to beat the heat!!

1.) Make a HEALTHY smoothie – Preferably one that tastes like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

2. Make s’mores ice cream

3. If I’m too lazy to make my own ice cream – I’ll head to my favorite fro-yo shop.

That’s a small. Don’t judge me.

4. Go bowling

5. Get a pedicure/manicure – Being pampered and staying inside seems like a win/win situation

6. Read Blogs (DUH) – A hilarious one I saw Cara post today on her facebook page about picking your battles. SO TRUE.

7. Read about the 50 fattiest Foods in the States

New Jersey is known for the Fat Darrell. What is your state known for?

8. Pick a fun craft off the Martha Stewart Website. Yes, I said fun.

9. Head to the beach/pool and get your tan on

10. Last but not least – Read a book in the comfort of your Air Conditioned home. Right now I’m working on this one

Let’s hope my ADD doesn’t kick in and I can finish it 🙂

I’m off to get ready for dinner and maybe attempt packing. See ya tomorrow!

QUESTIONS: Whats your favorite way to beat the heat??