Great Use for Overripe Strawberries: Strawberry-Poppy Seed Dressing

I was a bit overzealous at the grocery store the other day and bought three packs of strawberries on sale.  We've been eating them every day, but I noticed that some of them were starting to get dark and mushy.  I was about to toss overripe ones out when I stopped myself and wondered, "Do I really have to waste these?"  They weren't rotten or moldy or anything, just not that "pretty" anymore.

We've been eating lots of delicious summer salads lately, and I was planning on making some poppy seed dressing.  A quick google search came up with a few great recipes that I pretty much morphed into this one!

Lynnie B's Strawberry-Poppy Seed Dressing

Wash and remove tops of about 6 large overripe strawberries.
Puree in food processor or with hand blender until smooth.
Add 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp Dijon mustard
Blend together until smooth
Stir in 1 tbsp poppy seeds


Pour into jar or bottle and refrigerate.  So good over spinach or mixed greens with strawberries or blueberries!  Don't you just love summer?

Great Use for Overripe Watermelon

When my mom was in town she picked up a watermelon at the grocery store for us.  The problem was, the weather was chilly and rainy so nobody felt like watermelon.  When I finally decided to serve it up one day after school we were disappointed to discover that it was overripe.  You know when it gets that weird mealy texture?  Sigh...what a waste.

But then I thought, "Hey, it still tastes fine....it's not rotten or anything, just not a nice crisp slice.  I wonder if I could use it for something else?"

So I diced it up, put the cubes in the freezer, and once they were frozen solid I put them all in a big bag and left them in the freezer.  We've been using them all week for after school smoothies and slushies.

They are great blended with a handful of frozen strawberries and a splash of orange juice, pink lemonade or limeade.  You don't need to add ice cubes at all....just use your "watermelon cubes".  Add more or less fruit juice for your desired consistency.  So refreshing and makes a perfect homemade "Slushie" without all the food colouring and crazy amounts of sugar.

Perfect on a hot day!

Everyday Active #32 - Golf Day

I haven't posted in a few days, because summer fun has finally arrived!  The last few days have been filled with end of school year field trip to the horse stables, sports day, track meet, and a trip to the beach.  So not much exercise other than biking to and from the school.

Today though was our ministries Charity Golf Tournament and I was once again reminded of how much hard work it is to golf 18 holes!  I am wiped out!  It's no cardio, that's for sure, but I know my arms and shoulders used muscles today that aren't used to being stretched.

Next week I've got to revisit some good ol' cardio though.

Everyday Active #31 - Canucks Who?

It's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs right now, and for the first time in many years Vancouver's hockey team is in the finals.  I can appreciate the level of excitement, but since I'm not a hockey fan to begin with, I didn't want to be stuck inside watching a sport that I don't care about.

I convinced the group of young adults that I mentor to join me on a walk along the river.  Since most of the population was watching the game, we had the trail to ourselves!  We power walked 6 KM and the rain kindly stayed away.  The river had a cool, eerie mist hanging just above.

Thanks for joining me guys!

P.S.  The Canucks won....

Everyday #30 - Keeper!

My husband has just come out the other side of an incredibly busy season of work.  Today was he first day off in quite a while and he slept in AND had an afternoon nap.  He was wiped.  At the end of our evening of supper, chores, homework, & bedtime wrangling for the kids we were both feeling weary and more in the mood to flop on the couch and watch a DVD.  But I knew I really should enjoy the nice, non-rainy evening and get some exercise, so my wonderful husband said he'd go for a walk with me.  He's such a keeper!  Admittedly, my "power walk" is faster on my own, but the time together is a fair trade.

 

Happy Trails!

P.S.  I haven't weighed or taken my measurements, but honestly, today was the first day that I could "feel" the benefits of my increased exercise.  I guess my clothes are just starting to fit a little differently....slow and steady will give results eventually!

Everyday Active #28 & 29 - RAIN DAY...again

My mom is in town visiting so we've been spending a lot of time thrift store shopping, drinking tea, watching "Little House on the Prairie" episodes and "puttering around the house".  So I haven't been as faithful at posting everyday, but I have still been trying to get in my Everyday Actives.  Thank goodness for the Wii!  With all the heavy rain we've had lately I have been making a lot of use out of my EA Active workout.  Yesterday I did a 40 minute hard level workout ....and my hip flexor on one side is killing me today.  I guess I lunged a bit too hard in my lunges!

Today I went for a half hour walk in the pouring rain after dropping my little one at preschool....I wish I had known that it would finally clear up later on in the evening.  I guess I could go out again now....but then again, watching another episode of Little House with my mom sounds pretty nice too.  She grew up on a farm in rural Alberta, and remembers many things about her grandma's cabin that is just like the pioneer days!

P.S.  No pics this time, as my husband has taken my camera to work these past couple days.

Everyday Active #26 - Drop Off & Everyday Active #27 - Trestle Hike

It's been a pretty busy few days for our family.  Every Victoria Day long weekend our church denomination hosts a conference for thousands of teens from across BC.  Therefore it's a working weekend for us as we work in the exhibitor area promoting our discipleship school.    However, on Sunday evening on the way home I simply asked my husband to drop me off partway home and then simply walked the rest of the way.  It was a good 30 minute power walk - a simple solution on a busy weekend.

On Monday we took a group of young adults on a day long spiritual retreat.  I was able to go for a walk with my husband along some old train tracks through some incredibly lush forest.  Loved it!
 

 

It's a looooong way down!