Five Faves

It’s hard to believe that we are half way thru 2019, but I am so happy to finally enjoy my favourite season of the year.  I absolutely LOVE the summer season, and while lately I feel like time is just moving too quickly, my goal for this summer is to take some time to slow down, just breathe and enjoy the things that make me happy as often as possible.  Here are five things that are currently making me very happy:

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This watermelon and halloumi salad is a summer staple in my diet during the warmer months.  While watermelon and feta seems so be a little more common, I love the salty bite that halloumi adds to the mix.

E70A11C1-F74D-4781-833B-36C7B9D5B46FI love to enjoy a chilled drink on the balcony when the weather is warm and sunny.  My two favourites being an april spritz or a glass of rose.  Le Pive was recommended to me a few years ago when I was on the hunt for a good but not too expensive rose and it has been one of my favourites ever since.  This year, I am loving it even more as it is now certified organic.  Clean, fresh and not overly sweet, Le Pive is the perfect wine to sit back and relax with during the warmer months.

A15506F9-3DF5-41B0-A4A0-631CB82FE79CI have not yet read the book but I got hooked on Big Little Lies last year.  Despite the fact that it was produced as a limited series, it is back for a second season and it is sooooo good!  Just when I thought that the cast couldn’t get any better, they add Meryl Streep to the mix and as always she is fabulous!  If you have yet to watch Big Little Lies, there is no time like the present.  It is the perfect excuse to head indoors and enjoy a bit of air conditioning while you get lost in the lives of the Monterey Five.B5DEF063-20CF-4BB4-BB62-EEB6757C1A20If you have not yet watched Brene Brown’s Netflix special A Call to Courage you are missing out.  Motivating and insightful, it is a must watch.  I am currently reading her latest book Dare to Lead which carries on the message that we need to learn how (and when) to be vulnerable and how to successfully work with and lead others.  I highly recommend it to anyone interested in self improvement, impactful leadership and collaboration.

CE3FDA9C-45BE-477F-8C67-27235E02FBA4I hate wearing socks and closed toe shoes, so as soon as the weather starts to warm up I happily pull out all of my sandals.  While normally I alternate between high heels and leather flats, lately all I seem to want to wear are my Brikenstocks.  They are comfy, cute and they go with many outfits (or so that’s what I have been telling myself).  It may even be time to invest in a new pair!  While the new Birkenstock Valentino version is not in my budget, I plan to admire them from afar as I add a new pair to my shoe collection.

Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today!  I would love to hear what you are currently loving this month – let me know in the comments section!

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

Big Little Lies photo credit http://www.hbo.com, Birkenstock photo credit http://www.birkenstock.com

Pineapple Ginger Lemonade

I realize that summer 2017 is coming to an end, but I am planning to enjoy every day that we have left.  Lemonade is a summer favourite for most people and there is a cool coffee shop in my neighbourhood that makes the best honey ginger lemonade.  Unfortunately, treating myself to a glass often can get pretty pricey so I have been making my version of this delicious beverage at home to enjoy on a regular basis.  The other day I had some leftover pineapple in my fridge so I decided to make a variation of my summertime favourite beverage.  A quick Google search taught me that I was not completely original in my thinking, as it turns out that pineapple ginger lemonade is a popular Indian beverage but I am quite fond of my variation so I still wanted to share it with all of you.

This recipe is super simple and is very easy to tailor to your own taste.  Naturally sweetened with raw honey it also has some great health benefits (you can learn more about the benefits of raw honey here).  Overall this recipe is refreshing and great if you are suffering with a summer cold as the ginger, lemon and honey will help you on the road to recovery.

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Pineapple Ginger Lemonade

Makes 4 cups

1 inch piece of peeled ginger

2 lemons + more for garnishing

1/2 cup of pineapple chunks

1 1/2 tablespoon raw honey

3 cups water

Directions:

  1. Juice the 2 lemons and pour into a high speed blender
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend on high speed until completely blended
  3. Strain (optional – I prefer to not to)
  4. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate until cool
  5. Pour into glasses (add ice if needed) and enjoy!

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I hope that you have a wonderful day!  XXS

 

Beat The Heat With Watermelon Mint Limeade

When it comes to beverages I am pretty boring – I stick with plenty of water, teas or all kind and the occasional cup of coffee.  Lately though, the temperatures have been soaring and I found myself wanting to mix it up a bit.  The juice options at the store just didn’t sound appealing or the sugar content was way to high for me to justify, so I decided to create a few easy recipes that would help me beat the heat without sending my blood sugar level skyrocketing.

The first recipe that I will be sharing today is actually one of my favourite creations – watermelon mint limeade.  It only requires five ingredients!  It can be enjoyed on it’s own, mixed with sparkling water for a bubbly treat or as a base for a boozy summer cocktail. The watermelon offers extra hydrating benefits, the mint makes it extra refreshing and the limeade offers an enjoyable tartness without being too sour.

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Consider the recipe below just loose directions – I suggest that you modify the quantities to your own specific tastes.

Ingredients

4 cups of chopped watermelon

1 cup of fresh lime juice (aproximately 4 limes) + lime to garnish

3 cups spring water

1 sprig of mint (remove from stem)

2 tablespoon raw honey

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend on medium speed until completely blended.

Strain if necessary (I prefer not to)

Serve chilled or over ice

Enjoy!

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

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