Well, this past weekend went by way too quickly. Bob and I enjoyed a mini vacation in Florida with my parents. I experienced Naples for the first time, was treated to lunch at my favorite salad bar: Whole Foods (thanks Mom and Dad!), and went for a daily run amongst the palm trees. It was heaven.
The tough part, however, was going from this:
To this:
Coming home to a wind chill advisory wasn’t exactly welcoming. *sigh*
While in Florida, I was happy to help in the kitchen as much as possible, and enjoyed preparing a couple of the dinners. Some of the things I made were:
- roasted brussels sprouts
- seared scallops
- lemon pepper barramundi (my parents hadn’t tried it before–they both loved it!)
- calamari with balsamic reduction
We enjoyed some amazing wine with dinner. The Whole Foods there had the best selection I’ve ever seen!! I couldn’t believe how different it was from “my” Whole Foods.
I also introduced my Mom to my favorite breakfast: protein oatbran. I gave a little tutorial on how I cook the oatbran with egg whites, cinnamon and chia seeds. Then I add some blueberries or banana, and top my breakfast with some almond butter. I made her bowl extra special.
It was a wonderful and relaxing weekend–the perfect break in the middle of a Chicago winter.
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Florida is so pretty!! On the flip side though ( I live in Phoenix) imagine having 80′s in January and cold (50′s) weather only 2 weeks out of the year. Needless to say I miss the Midwest
12 degrees—I couldn’t do it. No way, no how!!! Hopefully, the temps will warm up slightly for you soon!!!
I love the special peanut butter heart you made for your mom. So sweet!!!
Ahhhh it looks so warm and awesome there!!!! haha I’m jealous of your trip! But I’m sure it flew by!
Haha Exactly how I felt upon coming back from Mexico! Thank goodness you made it back safely and all. My friends parents are delayed in Europe right now due to the snow :S
Ooh my! I want some of that protein oatbran
I’ve tried adding egg whites to oatmeal but never oat bran ^^
Ohh I am so jealousssss you got to escape this weather! Walking to class all today was BRUTAL.
I have some oatbran…I should make that recipe. I’ve used it to make a pumpkin recipe before and am always looking for more. BTW, that heart is super cute. Glad you had fun in FL and i love the sunset picture. I have never been to Naples (my family lives on the East coast) so the BOY and I are looking forwrad to Sarasota in a few weeks. Stay warm this week!!!
Nawww, how cute! I love the fact no matter how little you see your parents it always feel’s like home xoxo
Aww, what a great mini-vacation! I do not envy you with your cold weather at all… we will most likely be heading back to the northeast in the next year, and I’m bracing myself for the winters. Brrr! Love your oat bran bowl for your mom with the heart.
I still need to try the egg white- oats mixture. I’m hoping my daughter will go for it, too…
haha yea it has been so cold here in Boston! It’s so hard ot be motivated to do anything with such cold weather.
Wow, I think 45 degrees is cold; I can’t imagine it only being 12 degrees! I love the protein oat bran mixture. I might have to try it after our Paleo challenge!
…well at least you were able to escape the cold temperatures for a little while. Bundle up girl & go make yourself some soup
Aaah looks beautiful! Trust me, I know how awful it is to go from super warm to super cold from one plane ride. Least you got the little break!
All day yesterday, I wondered why I live in such a freezing city, when I could be somewhere warm instead!
Have you posted about that oatbran? It looks delicious (and adorable!)
The weather in LA has been insane too. We were at like 40 degree days for weeks and then BAM, last weekend was 80. I was like for real?! Its January!
Looks like a wonderful weekend! That is a pretty drastic change in temperatures!!
My family has a condo in Naples and I love going to visit. I’m glad you had a great time and were able to escape from the cold for a bit!
your protein oatbran sounds DELICIOUS! I need to make that! And chia seeds are such a great food! I can never get enough!