Thunderstorms Ahead!

The trees are turning into the beautiful green beings we all know and love but not without the help of the spring thunderstorms! This past weekend I spent my time enjoying the daylight with my guy and his family. We managed enjoy a local bar and try some new brews and spend the next day exploring down-town Des Moines on the Des Moines B cycles. Now if  you're not aware of what those are let me explain to you....think of a traditional coaster bike..big seat low bars and high handlebars... now add a 20lb weight to the front of the bike and a basket. That is a B cycle. With three gears under our belts we escaped the busy streets of Des Moines and ventured into the paths of escape. Lakes and forests and rivers Oh My! We stopped at Mullets to fuel up for the ride after spending nearly thirty minutes finding TWO bikes to rent! Needless to say a drink, alcoholic or not, was necessary.  

Other bike enthusiasts were out and about as well as families spending their Sunday's together! I couldn't have felt more at ease with the beautiful scenery Iowa had to offer us that day.  Thus before we left, a grill session seemed to be the best way to top off a great weekend of sun and family.  Unfortunately MotherNature must have felt that we had a little too much sun...cue thunder clouds and lightning through the skies! The grill was already lit and the coals were burning red awaiting their grilling counterparts.  Naturally as any right-minded person would do.. we ignored the storms warnings and proceeded to prepare the nights meal.  Remember the saying "Rain or Shine"  well we took that to heart and through the oncoming downpour and proceeding tornado sirens the grilling continued. 

Grilled green beans, red potatoes and peppers, and pork for the men while I enjoyed a delicious spicy black bean burger.  No matter the weather we managed to bring together a PHENOMENAL Sunday dinner. A fresh salad with strawberries, baby lettuce and cauliflower manages to entice my taste-buds to ignore the "nearly-full" alarm of my stomach until I could no longer! So much flavor and enjoyment covered the table as we brought the weekend to a close. 

But thanks again to the springtime storms we were stranded for the night as tornado's were popping up all along our route back home. After that dinner, a little couch time to let the food settle and the conversation soar wasn't such a bad idea. I was overly aware of how lucky I am to be in a relationship with a man who's family is so easy to enjoy and I actually want to visit them! Same goes for him, my family couldn't be happier of my partner in crime and adventures.  This weekend provided me so much more than sunshine and great activities. I was able to bond with my extended family and truly appreciate the man they brought into my life. He deals with my crazy food habits and manages to be apart of it all as much as possible. Even though it was never my intentions to be a vegetarian I couldn't be happier with what the lifestyle has provided me.  Cheers to enjoying the storms! 

Summer. Sunshine. Sunscreen!

May it be known that I am a huge advocate for sunscreen! I've been the pale faced with freckles girl since I could remember and do the best I can to keep my skin healthy and protected. 

With this being said I'm not perfect. Earlier this week, on my day off, the weather was reaching new highs and the sun was bursting in a cloudless sky. Naturally I aim to enjoy this by splurging on an early birthday present for myself---a bike! I felt like such an adult walking into the bike shop and asking the questions, testing the merchandise and walking out a new bike owner! My guy and I decided the nice weather would have the best first ride atmosphere- Naturally. But of course, I put sunscreen on a few times that day yet forgot to pack in on our ride. About an hour or so in I realize my skin is starting to tingle and the red tint is starting to develop. I was devastated. We were too far from my place and we did our best to take a shady route but mid-day and cloudless sky was not ideal for protection. 

Either way the minute we arrived back to the safe surroundings I call my home I raced upstairs to asses the damage. I am now the occupant of a classic first burn--it doesn't hurt unless its hit or brushed aggressively and luckily it hasn't effected my sleep. Let this be a testament to always carry a safety of sunscreen. Thus, for the next few days I will be lathering my skin up with lotion and aloe as if it has been in a 10 year drought. 

On the food front, I haven't been making as much food as I would like but I have been scarfing down the salads! Fruit salad, pasta salad, lettuce salad! I can't seem to get enough! Between the weather and the amount of activity I've been taking up nothing seems to make me happier than a salad! 

My favorite salad this spring has been a fresh spinach with cut strawberries and kiwi with a light balsamic vinaigrette and some lemon juice to top it off. Crunchy, savory and sweet! Talk about a great combination when you're needing energy and satisfaction.  Now if only I was on my way to California to visit my best friend! The strawberry patches are open for business and I would love nothing more than to walk the lines to pick fresh berries for my afternoon snacks. If you haven't experienced this, trust me you need to put it on your 'to-do' list! You will NOT regret it.

Now I've got myself thinking about a salad..Off to raid the fridge for some fresh berries. I'll post again soon! Trust me it wont be a month from now! I promise to stay more connected!