The past couple of days we have had highs in the low 80s – a cool front. You read that right. A cool front. 80s. Yea it doesn’t quite match. Although Roxy sure does think so!

I cannot get that dog to come in from the porch. I think she hates me. She always runs away from me and the camera. It took quite the sneak attack for this picture. And oh – Julie, Meghann, and Kelly – here’s living proof I have a dog! They all had no clue when I mentioned her on our lunch date. Then again, that doesn’t surprise me because, like I said, our dog never wants anything to do with any of us. I wish she did!

Enough dog talk. 80s still feels toasty to me, so I have been keeping it as cool as possible lately. Lunches have consisted of no cooking. I had an egg, bean, or sweet potato sandwich/wrap kick for awhile – all of which I end up cooking or warming up for my lunches. Not this week.

I have stuck to cracked pepper deli turkey sandwiches with spinach, avocado, and swiss cheese. Plus fruit. Plus veggies and hummus. That is until Friday rolls around and I suddenly have a strong hankering for leftover BBQ kettle chips from the Father’s Day cookout. Stay cool and roll with it.

The cool factor continues with snacks. Smoothies!!! Yogurt!!!

Like The Black Eyed Peas, I just can’t get enough. I have had quite a few people ask for my smoothie mixes so here ya go! My smoothie of choice this week includes the following blend, blend, blended all together:

• 1.5 cups unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
• 2 handfuls fresh spinach (you can’t taste it! M even loves it!)
• 1 frozen banana (for a thicker, creamier smoothie experience)
• 5 large frozen strawberries

I use the first 3 ingredients in all my smoothies, then add in whatever fruit I’m feeling at the moment. For the record – frozen cherries, frozen mango, frozen berry mixes, and frozen peaches all taste stellar. Frozen fruit = key for creaminess. On the side, I enjoy some extra creaminess in the form of greek yogurt and granola. I need something to eat along with my smoothie!

Cool, refreshing satisfaction right there. And the endless flavor combinations help it to never get old. That must be why pizza and frozen yogurt never get old for me, right? 😉

• Did you know I have a dog? Random question but I’m curious!
• Besides the heat, what one thing gets old to you fast in summer? SHAVING!!!

Tags: lunch, snacks