Is anyone else super excited over the fact that it’s finally August?! 😀
I say finally because, as much as I enjoy summer, I’m not the biggest fan of July. Too hot, maybe? Too sunny? Too energetic? Whatever the case may be, I’m always happy to see August roll around because it means we’re one step closer to fall, which is by far my favourite season of the year. Seriously. I’m getting excited just thinking about the changing leaves, chunky sweaters, and comfort foods that I’ll be able to enjoy in a few months. Eeeee! But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here… It’s only the first day of August, which means two things: 1) there’s still plenty of summer left for all your summer-lovers, and 2) it’s time to recap July —monthly favourites style…
I’m not even going to try to beat around the bush here — July was all about the cereal…
I tried, you guys… I really did. I managed to cage the cereal monster for a little while, but all it took was one trip to Vegas [where I had no access to hotel room coffee maker oatmeal] to unleash the beast. Since then, I’ve been enjoying cereal daily… usually multiple times.
What can I say? I’ve pretty much given up trying to fight it at this point. I try to stick to whole grain cereals without too much added sugar, and I actually find that they make really satisfying snacks, and even meals, when prepped right (read: loaded with add-ins). Some current favourites include:
One Degree Veganic Sprouted Brown Rice Cereal – Like a healthier version of Rice Krispies. I love the simple ingredients label ( just brown rice, coconut palm sugar, salt, and vitamin E), and that the company takes so much care in the sourcing of it’s ingredients.
Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Crunch – Like a slightly healthier version of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Sugar is sugar, but this cereal is good for my soul.
Barbara’s Morning Oat Crunch – Like a slightly healthier version of Quaker Oat Squares (are we noticing a trend here?). Love the crunch of these and the slight hint of molasses.
Kashi Cinnamon Harvest – Like a slightly healthier version of Mini Wheats 😆 Love the simple ingredients (just whole grain wheat, cane juice, cinnamon, and natural flavours), and the texture of these guys. So perfect with milk.
Okay, so every one of these cereals are “slightly healthier versions” of some of my favourite classics, but if you take a look at the ingredients label of those classics, most of them contain artificial flavours and preservatives — not really something I want to be putting in my body if I can avoid it… which I can with these subs.
As for blog recipes… I’ve gotta say that I kind of surprised myself. I tend to get a little lax with blogging in the summer so I didn’t think I’d manage to bust out as many recipes this month, but lo and behold… I still ended the month with a pretty decent sized collection!
Lightened Up Cheesecake Dip {Two Ways}
Vanilla Almond Butter Protein Granola
Blueberry Muffin Breakfast Bake
Fruit & Nut Breakfast Bars || Cocoa Banana Nut Popsicles || for Savory Style.
I’ve only got a couple of beauty products to share with you guys this month, but they’re ones that I basically haven’t been able to live without over the past 31 days.
First up, Sally Hansen’s Hard As Nails nail strengthener…
I mentioned this in my Currently post at the beginning of July, and it’s pretty much been on my nails for 90% of the month.
I’ll admit that I was super skeptical when I first picked it up about this one and didn’t expect much, but the price was right so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. You guys… it’s done wonders for my nails. I wouldn’t say that I had bad nails to begin with, but this has made them so much stronger and less likely to chip or break. Plus I feel like my nails have started growing a lot faster too. Definitely worth picking up! And as an added bonus, it’s clear so you don’t have to worry about annoying chips. A huge shoutout to Meghan for recommending this to me!
Next up, Batiste dry shampoo in Dark and Deep Brown…
I use dry shampoo on pretty much a daily basis, even when my hair is clean. The reason being that I have really fine hair, and I find that dry shampoo gives me a little more texture and volume without weighing my hair down. Winning! The only thing I’m not a fan of is the fact that it can often leave a white cast on my dark brown hair, making it look a little on the dull side. Not the case with this one! It has a hint of colour and comes out brown instead of white, giving me the volume/freshness I want without the grey.
If you’ve been reading Spoons for at least a couple of weeks, this next one shouldn’t come as a surprise…
The Under the Never Sky series — I’m obsessed.
Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she’s never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.
Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He’s searching for someone too. He’s also wild – a savage – but might be her best hope at staying alive.
If they can survive, they are each other’s best hope for finding answers.
It took me a while to get into the first book since it kind of had a sci-fi feel to it, but once I did, I was hooked big time — so much so that I ended up running out to the bookstore at 9:30 PM on a few occasions just to pick up the next book in the series. What did I like about it… let’s see.
First and foremost, the characters — I adore Aria and Perry (as well as basically every other character in the book). Both are complex and experience a considerable amount of growth as the story progresses. Aria starts out as a sheltered, naive girl who turns into a complete badass as a result of a need to survive in a world where there are “a million ways to die.” Perry has a rough and stand-offish exterior at first, but is revealed to have one of the biggest and most compassionate hearts. And their relationship? Gah! Tugged at my heartstrings big time… mostly because of how they were constantly being tested and torn apart as a result of struggling with a selfish desire to be with one another, versus doing what’s “right” and what’s best for everyone. Shivers.
Second, I love how the book is written. It’s told from two different point of views, with each chapter going back and forth between Aria and Perry — kind of like in Allegiant. The thing that makes it different from Allegiant, and what actually makes it work, is that it’s told from a third person perspective, so you never feel like you’re getting lost trying to figure out whose head you’re in. The writing focuses on what’s going on around the characters rather than what they’re thinking/feeling, yet still manages to truly make you feel for them…
The plot was fast-paced and interesting, there were a lot of twists and turns along the way, and the books made for an overall easy and relaxing read. I loved this series, and I’m honestly considering reading it again to see if I can pick up any small details that I may have missed the first time around.
Despite the fact that I kind of went into lazy-summer-time-mode with the blog this month, July was actually a really great month for Spoons…
- … which probably has something do to with the fact that the Banana Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins recipe that I posted near the end of June was a huge hit, and has been pinned over 53k times so far 😯
- And that my Almond Butter & Pretzel Truffles were featured by Buzzfeed. Woohoo!
- The highlight of the month for me was definitely my trip to Vegas, despite the fact that I barely took any pictures and only shared random thoughts about our trips out to the Grand Canyon and Red Rock instead. Oops.
- Food talk involved:
- Professing my love of almond butter
- Being happy to be home to my favourite foods after being without them in Vegas.
- And a truly Epic Food Survey that needed to be split into Part 1 and Part 2.
- Spoonified recipes included:
Here’s to an awesome August! 😀
Tell me at least one awesome thing that happened in July!
Do you have a weakness for cereal? What’s your favourite kind?
Did you read any good books in July?
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My weekend spent in the Swiss Alps was probably my highlight in July….wait, no, moving in my new appartment!! I mean. moving sucked, but getting settled was wonderful.
You definitely hit the spot with so many delicious recipes in July. I wish I could fly over and taste test ALL of them while having endless chats with you love.
I LOVE that dry shampoo – so amazing. And the dark color is awesome! Best thing about July was a lot of weekends off. I attended a beautiful wedding, celebrated my best friend’s bebe that is due in September, spent a few days in the Twin Cities, and even had a weekend with no plans! It was amazing!
I am thrilled August is here, most likely because July melted into a pool of misery for me, and I’m so past ready for a fresh start. August here we come.
Hooray for Sally Hansen’s. I love that product (and the price tag) and use it pretty much all the time on my nails, which I think look pretty fabulous as a result. Thanks for the cred; very sweet of you.
Congratulations on the Pinterest and Buzzfeed stuff. That’s awesome and very much well deserved!!
Hope you’re enjoying your camping. 🙂
I’m the opposite. One step closer to Fall? No thank you! I’m a summer girl through and through haha. Then again, California doesn’t really have seasons 😯 . Have you ever tried Honey Bunches of Oats? Definitely my fav cereal by far <3. Also, so many great recipes from you this month! And the photography is gorgeous, like always.
Also, SO great about your muffins. I have to admit I'm a little jealous ;).
Have a great weekend, lovely!