You want to know what’s just suuuuper awesome?
Spending your lunch hour outside, under a tree, on a blanket, in sunny 70 degree weather. Seriously…it doesn’t get much better than that.
I left the house yesterday morning knowing full well that I wanted to be able to get outside on my lunch hour, so I grabbed a book for some reading material and spent my time both reading and eating on our gorgeous Monday we had here.
On the menu for lunch? A big, delicious salad.
On Sunday, I pre-prepped two salad bases with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli, and onions. Then yesterday morning (and today, actually) I topped them off with some fresh avocado, grilled chicken (we grilled up extra on Sunday), dried cranberries, and feta cheese. Light, refreshing, and deeeeee-licious on a sunny afternoon.
Once my lunch hour was over, I headed back in to work and immediately needed something sweet. Lately, it seems like one of my biggest cravings is fruity sweets, so when I saw a co-worker of mine had some Starbursts hanging out in her office, I totally snagged some. AND, imagine my delight when I opened up the package to find my two favorite flavors.
It was meant to be. :)
*****
Last night was the official first co-ed softball game of the season, so now that both of Jay’s teams are in full swing, that means one thing: dinners around here are going to start to get a little boring.
But you know, I’m cool with that. I really haven’t been in the mood to be spending a whole lot of time in the kitchen anyways, and I can easily be satisfied by something as simple as a sandwich…so that’s exactly what I did last night.
I made myself THE most delicious turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with a little mayo, a little honey mustard, provolone cheese, lettuce, and tomato. I know they say you should stay away from lunch meat while you’re pregnant, but after asking two of my doctors and both of them giving me the go-ahead, I’m totally cool with it. I’m still picky about what kinds I eat though, and right now I’m eating the Applegate roasted turkey (nitrite and antibiotic free) which is pretty darn delicious.
After scarfing down my sandwich, I headed out to the softball game, and I’ll admit…as happy as I am to be there cheering my team on, it reeeeally just isn’t the same watching from the bleachers. I just want to be out there playing! Soon enough though, I know…I’ll just have to remain on the DL for this season. ;)
**FYI: The Baby Tooth page was updated this morning!
Can’t think of any good questions this morning sooooo, have a great Tuesday everyone!
Caitlyn @ City and the Cubicle says
I agree, it doesn’t get much better! That salad looks SO good and those are my favorite colored Starburst as well :)!
Lisa says
I spent my Lunch hour outside too. It’s so blissful to actually get to eat outside without freezing. I just wish bugs didn’t exist since they seem to throw me off of wanting to eat outside;)
That salad looks delicious!
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog says
What a great way to spend your lunch hour! You’re inspiring me – perhaps I’ll do the same today :-) My boyfriend plays softball as well – he takes it very seriously! I, on the other hand, am very happy viewing from the bleachers!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Looks like a perfect way to spend your lunch hour. I don’t eat meat, but if I did I would choose Applegate because they support sustainable practices which seem so much healthier than your typical factory farm.
Annie says
How do you like The Happiest Baby on The Block? I’ve been going back and forth trying to decide if I want to buy it or not! I’m due in 3 weeks and my work load has gotten smaller and smaller, so I’m looking for a book to read during my down time!
Ashlee@HisnHers says
I love hanging out outside during my lunch break! I used to always workout outside at lunch before I got my gym membership. It sure makes the day fly by!
Ashley @ Life and Fitness says
I love having impromptu picnics once the weather warms up. After being cooped up all winter, I’m more then ready to get outside!
Sara says
I spent about three hours last Thursday at the Boston Commons just enjoying the beautiful weather outside underneath a tree! There’s nothing better than sitting outdoors on a beautiful day!!
Cait @CakesandBeans says
Wow I am now craving a turkey sandwich and some mustard! sometimes simple and easy dinners are the way to go!!! :)
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
What a great way to relax and get in some Vitamin D during your day! I bet it made the afternoon go by a little bit easier.
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl says
A simple sandwich can be so good! Trader Joe’s sandwich turkey is really good too and is nitrate and antibiotic free.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
That sounds like an amazing way to spend your lunch hour! I cannot wait until we start getting consistently nice weather!
And the pink Starbursts are most definitely the best! :)
Lindsey says
One of my pregnancy cravings is lunch meat sandwiches so I have no stayed away at all! I make sure buy good quality meat and know its okay. If people can eat McD’s when pregnant I am sure quality lunch meat here and there is a-okay :)
Marielle says
Sounds very perfect and relaxing! Enjoy your Tuesday!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
That does sound like the BEST lunch hour. On those beautiful days, sometimes I go sit in the park near my work and read a book during lunch. It’s sooooo relaxing! I love it!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
There’s definitely nothing better than being able to escape the office for a while and heading outside to enjoy a beautiful day. It’s -finally- starting to feel like spring around here, and I swear there’s something about eating outside that just makes food taste so much better. Unless it’s the pink and red Starbursts… those taste good anywhere.
Happy Tuesday!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League says
Taking a lunch break outside is always a welcome change! Me and a few coworkers have been eating outside lately too and it’s fabulous!
Lauren says
I have never heard of lunch meat being bad for you when you’re pregnant. It surprises me! I absolutely love sandwhiches with dijon mustard, provolone cheese, and tomato. They are SO good in the summer. Have a great Tuesday! You’ll be back to playing softball soon enough ;-)
Chelsea @ LittleOneRuns says
What a great idea to eat outside!! Makes me want to do that. Hormel is also a good brand of lunch meat as well, it has no preservatives whatsoever!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
That salad looks so good! It must have been so nice to take your lunch out in the sun, what a great de-stressor!
Krystan says
My doctor’s said the same thing…they just said its like tuna and if you have it once in a while, there is such a low chance of actually getting the bacteria. I was sooo happy cuz I was craving lunch meat bad, lol. You look great and it’s amazing how quickly July is approaching!
Heather says
I would love to know which pregnancy/baby books you’ve read so far and recommend.
Courtney says
Not many…I’m reading this one, which I really do like so far. I started The Baby Whisperer but stopped because I feel like it’ll be more beneficial once the baby is here. I did read “Belly Laughs” by Jenny McCarthy which was hilarious though, and I’d highly recommend that one!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
That does sound like a pretty great lunch hour! And can I just say that I SWEAR by that book?! We’ve followed Karp’s 5 S’s and his sleep guidelines to a “T” this week and Hunter has been sleeping 6 hours in a row! Best book for sure.
Kelly @ Femme Fitale says
Ashley- how old is your little guy? I’m dealing with an almost-12 week old who only sleeps 4 hours on a ‘good night’. We’re exhausted over here! I’m not big on self-help books, but I’ve been recommended Karp’s book too. However, everyone who recommends it has babies who are formula fed. I’m wondering if breast milk babies just sleep a whole lot less? Ahhh! Sooo sleepy!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Hey Kelly! Our boy is almost 6 weeks old. I breastfeed him, and he still slept that long so I would definitely recommend it! We do a bedtime routine and then implement Karp’s “S’s” – swaddle tightly (arms down!), shusshing (white noise machine), swing (he sleeps in it right now), and suck (pacifier only if he gets fussy). I think Karp’s book makes a lot of sense and is very realistic. Obviously it could change any day here for us, but I’m savoring it while it lasts! Best of luck to you!
Sara @ fitcupcaker says
I wish I could eat outside, but its raining cats and dogs around here :( NO fun, I want some sunshine in my life!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
I love being outside on breaks!!! It’s the best. Love your skirt too!
Maureen @ Breaking Free & Finding Me says
pink and red are the best flavors! and i love your nail polish ;)
Brooke @ Running In Heels says
What a perfect day!!
I can’t get enough of being outside now that it’s finally warm here in Wisconsin!
Nicole @ FruitnFitness says
Your salad and sandwich both look delicious! Sometimes a simple cold sandwich is the perfect summertime dinner. I always love to fill my sandwiches with layers of meat cheese, tomatoes, avocado and lettuce. My stepfamily from englad makes fun of me because to them a sandwich is one slice of sandwich meat and butter, nothing else.
Eryn @ Blond Minded Brunette says
Lunch outside looks amazing! I love to take little strolls outside on my lunches as well, it breaks up the days and adds variety. I’m with you on sitting out on summer sports. I’m missing riding my horse this year around. At 28 weeks I know it’s a no can do, but I still miss it!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Love getting outside to eat during the day for a break when the weather is good. We’ve had an amazing 10 days (exactly!) of warm weather and sunshine, 20degrees for Ireland is damn good but the rain is on the way back tomorrow :(
Lindsey says
Honestly it made me soooo mad when I was pregnant and told to stay away from deli turkey and soft cheeses! I had a very old school PA who I would see sometimes and she didn’t get that it’s unpasteurized cheeses that you’re supposed to stay away from and even at that I know many women from NYC who used to eat only unpasteurized cow’s milk and cheeses since that was the purist form. I have a friend who is pregnant now and said to stay away from pepperoni because of the nitrates! What!? I guess just know the source of where your food is coming from (ie don’t eat food from food carts in Mexico…although no one should be eating that food :)). My PA even told me to “STOP RUNNING” because it would give the baby head trauma!!? Again, WHAT!?
Leigha says
It was so beautiful today! That turkey sandwich looks absolutely delicious. Simple is the way for me. And that salad… I waant!
Lauren @ Fun, Fit and Fabulous! says
My husband is at his work softball game right now! He’s such a kid when it comes to all of his sports. He plays pick-up basketball twice a week, softball, and just finished flag football. He cracks me up!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Just FYI, I found that book to be super helpful. Even if your baby isn’t colicky, the 5 S’s come in handy to help soothe the baby and/or put the baby to sleep! :)
Miranda @ Miranda Runs says
Pink + red starbursts are the best!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I start to go for simpler dinners in the summer too…but that’s mainly just because when it gets hot I don’t want to go anywhere near the stove! Cannot go wrong with a simple sandwich for dinner.
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
What a great idea! I need to plan on sitting outside during my break sometime SOON! Yesterday I went home for lunch because I accidentally left my lunch at home (I live a whole 7 minutes from work!) It was so great! When I stay at work, I am so tempted to work through lunch, but I NEED a break in my day like that :)
Amanda @ A Latte Learn says
I bet you don’t miss teacher lunch breaks at all after that relaxing meal! ;)