How about a life-y things type update? It’s been a while! I’ll start, and you can fill me in on what’s new with you, if you’d like. Don’t mind the occasional blurry iPhone photo below (they secretly kill me).
1. June Challenge
For the month of June I challenged myself to 1 smoothie a day and 1 salad a day. So far it’s going strong and I’m packing in more veggies and fruit (check out the slew of smoothies, smoothie bowls, and parfaits taking over my Instagram lately). And chocolate for good measure. Want to join me? This smoothie bowl below is going in the next cookbook. Adults and kiddos alike are going nuts over it. I’m having so much fun coming up with summer breakfasts lately…
2. May fun.
May was a fun and busy month! There was my first Mother’s Day and birthday celebration, a visit from my mom, another visit from my mom and stepdad, celebrating my Grandparents 50th anniversary (!), and a lot of baby milestones in between (we now have a crawler on our hands!).
3. Morning Sing Songs
As it turns out, Adriana loves to sing when she’s in a good mood. Check out this video I shared on Instagram last week (turn on the volume). I have no idea how she hits some of those notes! I certainly can’t (a reality she knows all too well). We’ve had some challenges with teething and other developments this month, so these sweet, happy moments are all the more appreciated! I may or may not watch this video before bed every night…girl kills me.
4. Organic CSA
An easy way to get more veggies into your diet? Support a local CSA (community shared agriculture). We just had our first delivery yesterday. I had forgotten how exciting it is when the loot arrives! It takes all of my restraint not to tackle the delivery person. Since we don’t have a veggie garden in our current backyard, I figure this is the next best thing. It’s already helping me break out of cooking ruts. Random question – what would you make with this loot? The first thing I did was sauté the mushrooms and throw them over a salad. The second thing I did was make collard wraps (SO GOOD). A new obsession has formed…
5. Kitchen Adventures
The state of my kitchen lately (on a good day). Note: only one drawer is open Eric! I’m currently wrapping up the recipes for my next cookbook over the next month or so. The kitchen reno that we did last summer is definitely being put to good use! It’s easily the most used, loved, and enjoyed room of the house.
6. Current state of mind.
Image via heyokreal.
I feel like I could write an essay on this topic, but I’ll save that for another day.
7. A couple press things
I recently found out the University of Guelph (where I pursued my undergrad studies) included me in their alumni spotlight. See: University of Guelph Alumni feature
The Oh She Glows Cookbook was #1 on the Globe and Mail Bestseller list (Food and Cooking) again last month. Thank you all so much for your continued support! It’s making me all the more excited for cookbook #2 in 2016. There are so many awesome recipes I’m dying for you to try (I seriously think I’m going to have to host a big kick-off party with all my fav recipes or something).
8. Updated blog header + pictures
You might have noticed an updated blog look for the summer (or until I get bored of it again). Eric took a couple updated photos of me and I added those to the sidebar, About page, and Before and After page. It feels like just yesterday when our photographer Dave Biesse shot my last headshots for the cookbook, but as it turns out, that was 2 years ago already. Slow down time!
So there’s a random update. Much more to share, but this is a good start.
Ok, tell me about your plans for June and this summer. Any exciting work/personal projects or travels on the horizon? Also, what would you make with my CSA loot?
Holy smokes, you make it look so easy, and they look SO good. I don’t think I have the knack for it that you have… :) But we’ll see. My aim is to give the smoothies a whirl though when it will be feasible in my life, in a time coming soon. These days, just taking an occasional bike ride here; has been a quieter time the past few months, with little to say. This only means one thing: That something is building and very soon, I will have plenty to say. :)
Thank you for the recipes and the posts that always glow. Keep it up!
Darn! I was hoping you were going to post that smoothie bowl recipe lol. Meanwhile, I’ll just settle for drooling over your instagram. I would love to do a CSA, but as a recent college grad funds are limited unfortunately. Thanks for the update!
That is awesome that the University of Guelph spoke about you on there alumni success board! I am thinking of going to Guelph for an undergrad in nutrition. Did you enjoy your time there?
I totally understand the tight financial situation, BUT that is actually one of the best reasons to look into CSA. I have worked on local farms that run CSA programs for 8 years now, and every season the members come out way ahead on price per pound over the grocery store. Most farmers will arrange payment plans and many will even let you work for you food by weeding, book keeping, or making deliveries for a few hours per week! Farmers have always given me seconds veggies for free in addition to my share when I work for them! I then freeze/preserve them and come out WAY ahead! Also even though it may seem counter intuitive you might find the right fit with a farm that is not certified organic. The certification process does require time and financial resources that may raise the price of your share. Come right out and ask the farmer what fertilizers and pesticides they use! Some of the cleanest most sustainable farms Ive worked on were not certified. Another option if you feel you need more reassurance is to look for a farm that is certified naturally grown. This certification involves inspection by a fellow farmer and has very strict (clean) standards for productions, but keeps the farmers prices low because of the peer inspection. And obviously when all else fails always visit your farmers market! Sorry for the novel, I just feel really passionate about lower income families like ours knowing they have options when it comes to finding high quality local food.
I don’t comment much, but I feel the urge to now so here goes! I like this update post, even though we’ve never met, your posts are like one-way correspondence from an international friend. I recently began blogging because I figure, if so many people love the blogs that I check on frequently for updates, then maybe I can make a blog people will enjoy too! So that’s what’s new with me, and I am skipping out on my last uni semester for some well-earned travel! So psyched already.
So…two plans for June – #1: Go all vegan…how to do it? Cook one recipe a day from Oh She Glows or from your cookbook! I’m soooo excited about this! #2: Get that job that I’m sooo hoping to land after a very good interview. Wish me luck!!
On another note – I still haven’t come across a recipe from you that doesn’t work! It’s a miracle!
OH THE SINGSONGS.
you had my heart with the singsongs.
We are getting our first CSA share today and I cannot wait! First time ever participating so I will hopefully come up with some good recipes!
I am curious about your smoothie and salad a day…are those two of your main meals then?
Your instagram feed has totally inspired me to stop eating crackers and toast. I bought a huge container of baby spinach at Costco yesterday, I’m going to try and have a Green Monster every day…also your chocolate smoothie breakfast bowl is calling me…
Honestly, you go girl. Props to you for being a mom AND a working woman. I can’t imagine how you make these beautiful recipes while having a toddler on your hands! I’m not a mother (yet!) but I DO have a puppy, and she is enough of a handful for me! I don’t know how you do it! So if no one has told you yet today that you rock…. YOU ROCK. :)
I just love your blog and updates. Thank you! You’re June goals inspired me and I’m trying to drink a green juice every morning- or at least 5/7 days. Cheers. I also love that quote. I’ve been a mom for 6 months and loving my very full life.
For the veggies- I’m a loving grilled kale (and scallions if you like). Rub the leaves with olive oil and season with s and p. Grill on medium heat for a couple minutes. Chop and dress with chipped capers, lemon juice, Dijon and evoo. I could eat it every day.
For stone fruits- again I’ll grill and throw on salads. Or make a cobbler with a recipe from minimalist baker. If you haven’t tried the vegan biscuits and gravy from minimalist baker (mushroom gravy)- I highly recommend. It’s a treat, but oh. So. Yummy.
Thanks for doing what you’re doing. It’s an inspiration and I am enjoying it all. Happy summer!
Oh my gosh, your grilling ideas sound *fabulous*!! Next time it stops raining long enough to pull that grill outside (hurry up and stop, rain!), I’m going to grill some peaches. How long do you generally grill them, and is it on each side? And do you make thick slices or just halve them?
Hi Angela, good to see you so happily indulged with your works. Thank you for exhibiting your mouth watery dishes, seems really healthy and light….I too have to try in the recent future. And yes, you are blessed with such a sweetheart :)
I love your posts! My kids are gone from the home now but I applaud anyone that embraces motherhood creatively so they can do a little work but be beside their children growing up. They grow up so quickly. I recently heard “women can do it all, just not at once.” I applaud you!
Dear Angela,
I do not know how many fans you already have in Hungary, but I do my best to recruit quite a few. Congratulations for your great blog and inspiring recipes. I am always looking forward with great excitement to receive your updates.
My recent favorites are polenta (as my 3 year-old daughter’s favorite breakfast), kale and all kind of beans. We also have have home delivery of veggie boxes in Budapest, but we prefer going to the organic market on Saturdays to meet the farmers.
Have a great summer!
Regards,
Bea
I’d definitely get a juice going with all the greens in that CSA box.
June for me is travelling in the USA (I live in the UK). I started in Sacramento, visited Portland and I’m currently in Seattle. I get the ferry to Alaska tomorrow night then I have 3 weeks touring America’s biggest state. I’m having so much fun seeking out all the vegan restaurants on the way and finding ways to travel plant-based. Good luck with the new book :)
Big congrats on the alumni recognition!
June means more cooking (I just got Everyday Detox in the mail), my first 5k race since 2010, and a trip to see family. Thanks to the Oh She Glows cookbook and an exercise regimen, I’ve lost 34 pounds since January. I owe you a kickback!
The header looks good. And Abigail really does sound like she’s singing. What an adorable video.
I always love your updates and it sounds like you’ve had a busy few months. Your new shorter hair is very sleek!
For some reason I have been craving purple foods…like purple smoothies, purple kale, purple cauliflower (ok, that one tastes the same as the white variety to me…but still). So your smoothie bowl is naturally making me crave it as well haha. Your baby girl has quite a set of pipes, future career in the making already?? Also, I CANNOT wait for your next book to come out. The first one was luscious and amazing and I just know this one will be too! Thanks for keeping all of us on the web updated with your fabulous life, keep doing you Angela!
So so appreciate you and your blog. I have decided to not do I-gram as I have too much already on my plate but lOVE to hear of your adventures here