Happy 4th of July weekend, my friends! Our village puts on a fantastic celebration every year and my brother and his girls are driving up from GA to enjoy it with us. The fun begins today and will go through the 4th. Here’s hoping for good weather all weekend!

As you’re getting ready for all the fun foods this weekend, and in case you’re as watermelon obsessed as we are this summer, check out this quick video showing how to easily slice a watermelon into handheld wedges or perfect bite-size cubes.

ON THE BLOGS this week: Crisp bacon and lettuce, tart tomatoes, creamy hard-boiled eggs, and jalapenos combine to create this creamy, slightly spicy Jalapeno BLT Pasta Salad.

The perfectly even doneness of a reverse seared New York strip steak makes every single bite a mouthwatering slice of heaven.

Loaded with robust garlic, zesty lemon, and a kick of red pepper flakes, Cowboy Butter is absolutely crave-worthy on steak, vegetables, or fresh bread.

Sweet grapes, crunchy pecans, and vanilla bean sour cream are combined in this unexpected and delicious creamy grape salad. My boys went nuts over this the first time I made it and I couldn’t stop eating bites of it myself.

Spicy, tangy, and savory flavors are stacked atop each together in a baking dish to create this sensational Layered Taco Dip with Ground Beef. My fellow snackers can rejoice because while this is fantastically snackable, it is also hearty enough to be dinner any night of the week.

Learn how to bake zucchini for an easy side dish all summer long. Baked zucchini is slightly sweet with crispy edges and a smooth rich texture.

Garden-fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of balsamic make a timeless combination in this Chopped Caprese Salad.

Tender crisp Thai green beans with peanut sauce can be made as mild or as spicy as you like – in under 15 minutes.

Sweet strawberries mingle with crunchy golden Oreos whispering of summer in this lusciously smooth Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream.

If you think rhubarb is just for baked goods, you will be pleasantly surprised by the sweet, slightly tart flavor of this versatile Rhubarb S

Hi friends! Happy Friday! I hope you’re having a wonderful morning. I’m off to the eye doctor today and am crossing my fingers to get the all clear to start wearing contacts again. It’s been a bit hard to function in glasses for the past five weeks so I’m really, really hoping I’ll be able to wear my contacts, even just for a few hours each day.

We are back in Tucson after 12 days in Europe and it.was.magical. I’ll be posting a full recap of our trip, so stay tuned for all of the details! I’ll prob split it into two posts: Rome and the 7-night Italy and Greece Disney cruise. If you have any questions I can answer or include in my post(s), please let me know.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section.

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Sweet strawberries mingle with crunchy golden Oreos whispering of summer in this lusciously smooth Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream.

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream

The experience of holding a bowl filled with ice cream strawberry shortcake is one that you won’t soon forget. Initially, my brother didn’t believe me when I told him that we’d be using golden Oreos to make this ice cream.

But, they’re an easy hack to get that fabulous shortbread flavor. Cake doesn’t retain its form well in ice cream, and it often either gets mushy or turns into a brick. Oreos bring wonderful texture to this ice cream, too.

As far as I’m concerned, strawberry shortcake ice cream is the best of both ice cream-loving worlds with its combination of classic strawberry flavors and generous cookies and cream chunks throughout each serving.

I’ve enjoyed strawberry shortcake ever since I was a little kid. Although we didn’t have it often, I can remember my Aunt Judy making it for us when we visited and it always made me grin.

This dessert includes a healthy dollop of nostalgia for me, reminding me of summertime travels and the Fourth of July.

With over 70 ice cream recipes here to choose from, there’s sure to be an ice cream for everyone! If you’re new to making ice cream, the best and easiest vanilla ice cream is a great place to start.

These are my favorite inexpensive

Sharing tips on how to train for a half marathon, including fuel tips, training strategies, recovery, and more!

Hi friends! How’s the day treating ya? I hope you’re having a great one.

For today’s post, let’s lace up our running shoes, shall we?

It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a half marathon (one of my Ironman friends keeps telling me I need to do another one), I still help clients and friends train for endurance events. I love creating training plans and sharing tips, so I figured we’d chat about half marathons and training strategies.

So, what exactly is a half marathon?

Well, it’s a long-distance race that covers a distance of 13.1 miles or 21.1 kilometers. It’s a challenging yet achievable goal for many runners, offering a stepping stone between shorter races like 5Ks and the ultimate endurance test of a full marathon.What sets a half marathon apart from a full marathon is the distance. While a full marathon covers 26.2 miles, a half marathon is a more manageable undertaking, making it a popular choice for runners of varying abilities and experience levels. It’s an ideal challenge for those looking to push their limits and experience the thrill of a longer race without the intensity and extensive training required for a full marathon.

Before taking on a half marathon, there are several things to consider and prepare for. It’s essential to assess your current fitness level, set realistic goals, invest in proper running gear, and pay attention to nutrition and hydration.

Additionally, understanding the course, pacing strategies, and recovery techniques will contribute to your overall success and enjoyment of the race.Training for a half marathon not only helps you physically but also provides mental and emotional benefits. The discipline and commitment required to follow a training plan can boost your mental strength and resilience, transferring into other areas of your life.

Today, I’ll be sharing a comprehensive guide on how to train for a half marathon, covering topics like creating a training plan, incorporating cross-training and strength exercises, managing your nutrition and hydration, and tips for race day success. My aim is to provide you with the tools, guidance, and motivation to make the most out of your half marathon journey and achieve your PRs (personal records!).

How to train for a half marathon

Step 1

Create a training plan or follow a training schedule. It’s important to build your endurance gradually, improving your cardiovascular fitness, and strengthening your muscles. A well-designed training plan will help you develop the necessary physical and mental strength, allowing you to conquer the distance with confidence.

Step 2

Emphasize resistance training. Resistance training will help to support all of the muscles in your legs, and can help to prevent muscle imbalances and ove

Sweet grapes, crunchy pecans, and vanilla bean sour cream are combined in this unexpected and delicious creamy grape salad. My boys went nuts over this the first time I made it and I couldn’t stop eating bites of it myself.

I’ve made this simple grape salad with pecans countless times now and my youngest son still can’t get enough of it. Every time he sees grapes in the store or in our refrigerator, he asks if we can make “the really good grape salad” again. How could I ever say no to that?

Creamy Grape Salad

There’s no big secret here. Just tasty fresh grapes and pecans covered in creamy, tangy, very lightly sweetened sour cream. Sometimes the simplest recipes really are the best!

This is a popular dish to bring to gatherings with friends, but it’s also great served with a sandwich or wrap for an easy family lunch.

Grape Salad with Pecans

Salads with grapes are classic potluck and party dishes. If you’ve never tasted one, this recipe is the perfect one to make first.

Or, if your experiences with grape salad call to mind overly sweetened, gloppy dishes at family reunions or work picnics, I promise you this particular grape salad recipe is so good it will have you scraping the bowl and going back to the buffet table for seconds.

The pecans in this recipe add great texture and crunch to the salad. As far as I’m concerned, they aren’t optional. If you really dislike pecans, slivered or sliced almonds will also work, though they are not my first choice.

I’d suggest swapping in walnuts before almonds, but in my experience, if someone is averse to pecans, they almost never enjoy walnuts. Just use whatever nut you like best for crunch here, if you don’t care to include the pecans.

Grape Salad Recipe Without Cream Cheese

This grape salad is NOT your average potluck dish. The recipe features a lightly sweetened sour cream dressing and I’m happy to say that this salad trumps any other grape salads I’ve tasted.

Years ago, we made versions of this salad with cool whip or vanilla pudding. They were fine but nothing spectacular so I wasn’t in any rush to make them again.

I’ve also tasted grape salads made with yogurt or cream cheese dressings. Again, they tasted okay but didn’t leave any big impression. I could take them or leave them, really.

Sour Cream Grape Salad

Then, I discovered lightly sweetened sour cream. Several years ago, I made these Layered Lemon Cheesecake and tasted sweetened sour cream for the first time. I was impressed by the difference a tiny sprinkling of sugar made in the typically tangy (and sour) cream.

If you haven’t tried lightly sweetened sour cream before, you’re in for a fun treat. I have served this salad to several people who were shocked that the creamy dressing was simply sour cream.

Sour cream with just a to