Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Shouldless Days: June

I had my 5th shouldless day of the year this past Sunday. Similar to my other shouldless days, it was wonderful! Here's how I spent my day.

I started off my day with a pre-gym breakfast of GF cheerios, almond milk, and banana while catching up on emails and such. I don't eat much cereal as I try to avoid processed foods, but now that Cheerios are GF, I've been eating them occasionally for breakfast.


After breakfast, I headed to the gym to do some of my PT exercises that I can't do at home (bosu ball squats, leg press, step-ups) and used the elliptical and the stationary bike. I'm starting to feel like I'm getting more of a workout at the gym these days.  Woo hoo!

My bike workouts still feel lame but at least I can do some moderate hill workouts.
On my way home from the gym, I stopped by a local coffee shop that sells baked goods made by my favorite local GF bakery, Sift. I tried something new this morning - a rhubarb, lemon and thyme muffin. That may sound like an odd combination, but it was great. I enjoyed it on our deck with a cup of coffee and some reading materials.


Next up, I did some prep work for the dinner I hosted on Monday night for my college friends. I know slicing and dicing vegetables and herbs is a chore to some people, but for me it's so relaxing and enjoyable!

It's been really hot here lately (80-90+ degrees) so my garden has needed lots of water. It's only ~8 blocks away, so I walked down there to give my plants a drink. It's so fun to see how much everything has grown! 

After enjoying some leftovers for lunch, I headed outside to read and soak up some more vitamin D. The book I am reading was recommended on one of the Bookriot podcasts this spring. It's quirky but good, so far.

After being outside for awhile, I needed a break so headed indoors to finish the first episode of Chef's Table. It was really good so I'm looking forward to watching more episodes. After that, I finished watching the last 45 minutes of the movie, J. Edgar Hoover on Netflix. Phil and I watched this on Friday night but I fell asleep towards the end so decided to give the ending another try. Full disclosure - it sort of put me to sleep again. The subject-matter was interesting, but the voices just put me to sleep for some reason!

Oscar kept me company while I was watching TV. Phil was at his mom's for the day so she was especially cuddly, which is often the case when Phil's not around! Sunday marked one year since we brought her home - it's amazing how much she has changed in the past year!


I had more leftovers for dinner and enjoyed some fresh fruit for dessert. I've been eating so much fresh fruit lately. It's funny how the body tends to crave different snacks when it's hot outside (at least that is the case for me!).


I spent the rest of the evening reading. Phil got home from his mom's around 8. We caught up on each other's days, reviewed our after-work plans for the week, and went to bed!

This was probably one of my best shouldless days this year because I was able to spend so much time outdoors! I just love this hot weather we've been having! I'm just such a summer person!

Do you consider yourself a summer person or do you prefer cooler seasons?

13 comments:

Charbelle said...

It's amazing how much Oscar has grown, and she is still super adorable!!! I appreciate shouldless days! They are absolutely necessary! I'm with you, summer time is my absolute favorite! As long as I'm not running I love the heat :) I'm impressed by your garden! Anytime someone can grow something I think it's impressive!!!

Marisa A. said...

I can't believe how big Oscar is! She's really grown in a year. As for summer, you know me...I hate it. Especially when our a/c broke Sunday and I got about 2 hours sleep from just being miserably hot. We went to the Stone Arch Bridge Festival Saturday and lasted about 45 minutes before calling it quits and heading to a nice air conditioned restaurant. I'm counting down the days when the temperature will be back in the 40s :)

Marlys said...

I, too, relish summer days even if it is hot, but am happy to have air conditioning when it is unbearable! But, that is mostly for the humidity, not the heat, as I can deal with heat pretty good.
Your garden is growing so well, and hope you will be harvesting somethings before too long. I have a cherry tomato and see that one is turning now. I have it at the lake so can't wait to go back this weekend and munch it down!
Sounds like you had a relaxing Sunday - a perfect shouldless day!

Nora said...

I like summer but not the 90+ days with humidity like we've been having. It's just... too darn hot. Give me mid-80s and I'm good to go! I guess I'm more of a spring/fall person overall, though.

Glad you had such a great should-less day!

Leigh said...

What a great day! I need to take a day to myself soon. Even though when I do, I tend to do stuff that I need to get done that's easier without Amelia :)

Raquelita said...

Your day sounds great! That muffin sounds delicious.

I like winter clothes more than summer clothes, but I prefer summer -- probably because as an academic it provides a more relaxed (if less lucrative) time after a semester of shoulds. Summer usually also means research trips to interesting places and more time for hiking, biking, running, etc.

San said...

I still can't get over the fact that your cat is a she and her name is Oscar LOL

What a glorious day. I am glad you're getting more and more exercise, but also a lot of reading and relaxing!

Amber said...

That sounds like an awesome day! Your garden is doing AMAZING! I haven't spent as much time laying out and reading or relaxing in the sun this summer as I would like, but it is something I would like to do more of because I do love the summer and the heat as well!! July and August should hopefully be a bit less crazy for us and allow for some more of that.

Abby said...

That sounds like a great "should less" day!!! I prefer cooler days in AZ....but those are more akin to the warmer days in MN. This time of year is too hot to do anything. You can only last about 20 minutes laying out reading Bc it's soooo hot you seriously feel like your skin is burning and get drenched in sweat. I love November-April where I can go for a run at an hour afte 5 am, or a hike, eat meals outdoors....

Stephany said...

I love your shouldless day for June. It sounds so relaxing and you got to be outside in the sunshine for so much of it!

I have a love/hate relationship with summer. It's just so stifling hot here that it's not very fun to be outside for very long, but I love warm weather over cold weather so I deal with it. Florida also gets a lot of thunderstorms in the summer, which I LOVE. All of the dreary stormy weather for meeeeee! :)

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

I am a summer person but I need to be able to cool off. I can't be in a hot house/ car with no fresh air.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

What a great "shouldless" day. I'm with you on the chopping/ dicing - I too find it relaxing and enjoyable.

I am totally a summer person; I need to be in dresses at all times to be really comfortable. I also have the summer off, so it's an extra bonus for me.



Jeanie said...

Sounds divinely shouldless! My kind of day! And I especially loved (as you might guess) the then-and-now photos of our favorite orange cat! She's developed from a cutie to a beauty!