Heat wave is going strong right now and if you know me, I do not do well in the heat. I try to keep things cool during the summer and avoid turning on the oven and make hot food (I may just order takeout instead). It can be hard to find refreshing meals to make but I love refreshing watermelon and cucumber salad.
It is a savory dish that has the perfect amount of sweet and spice, my favorite combo!
Ingredients
– tbs avocado oil (about 2 tbs)
– lime juice (about 1 tbs)
– balsamic vinegar (about 1 tbs)
This is the perfect side dish to have with summer meals and it is so easy to make. It takes minutes to put together with little effort. It is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
-cubed watermelon
– thinly sliced cucumber
-thinly sliced onion
-cubed mozzarella cheese (fresh or low moisture)
– Tajin seasoning (amount is based on preference)
Refreshing watermelon and cucumber salad is based on your preference of taste. If you want more onion or cheese, make sure to add to your liking!
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lime juice and seasoning until all is combined.
Add watermelon, cucumber, onion, and cheese.
Toss together in dressing.
Serve right away.
You can also add other seasonings such as chili pepper, paprika, salt and pepper. You can also switch up the cheese and use feta. Garnishes are always great such as mint or basil. Make it your way!
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
This savory dish has the perfect amount of sweet in spice in one bowl.
The past couple of months have been hard on all of us and with things slowly starting to open, everyone wants out.
I am one of those people, but in this changing world I know we are not going to be able to go on vacation like we planned this summer.
Just like I have the past few months, I am going to make it work and turn our vacation into a safecation.
If you are considering traveling this summer, I put together some tips on how to travel safely and responsibly.
1. Be Smart
Is the virus spreading where you’re going? If not what about your community? If the number is high you may want to consider not going to avoid spread.
2. Rent Instead of Hotel
Find a place that is a 2-3 hour drive and consider renting a house or campsite instead of a hotel. With renting or camping, you have control of what you want, the more secluded the better. AirBnB is a great place to start.
A few years ago my girlfriends and I had our annual girls trip at a fantastic AirBnB. It had everything you could want and we never needed to leave! I plan to go back this year with my family. It has a pool, pond and beautiful scenery. It also has a kitchen for us to bring our own food and cook.
3. Pack Your Own Snacks
Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your family at risk. Pack your own snacks or consider pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or stores.
4. Stay Clean
Pack hand sanitzer, handsoap and face masks for when you need to stop for gas and bathroom breaks. Also pack disinfectent spray and wipes so you can wipe down surfaces as soon as you reach your desitnation.
5. Get Creative
Create a theme for where you’re going. Just because resorts or theme parks are not an option right now, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.
We are planning to do Christmas in July, we will put up a tree, wrap some gifts and sing Christmas Carols in the pool.
These are just some simple tips I will be planning to use when we travel in a few weeks. For more information on how to stay safe while traveling, visit Center For Disease Control.
I’m on a strawberry kick, but what’s a better fruit to be loving during summer?
A few blog posts back, I shared how to a make Strawberry Dalgona Drink and since I couldn’t get enough, I decided to make these delicious and creamy popsicles.
What happens when you mix your favorite breakfast and your favorite dessert together? Pop-tart ice cream!
When you make this easy recipe, you can store it in a container and scoop it out like traditional ice cream, or you can make fun popsicles like I did!
These popsicle molds are adorable and the perfect size for little ones hands.
Since my Strawberry Dalgona drink was a hit, I decided to make something else using the same recipe.
This fun summer drink is filled with a burst of fruity fizz with notes of smooth and creamy vanilla. The perfect drink to have after a day of soaking up the sun!
I am sure you are already thinking of what summer cocktails you will be having this summer, but what about for your little ones?
Whip up this delicious ocean beach float for them and watch them smile from ear to ear.
Ingredients are simple, you will need:
Kool-Aid Blue Raspberry liquid drink mix
Vanilla ice cream
Teddy Grahams crackers
Swedish Fish Candy (assorted colors)
LaCroix sparking water (flavor of choice
Drink umbrellas for decoration
Instructions:
Fill glass jar right before the rim with soda.
Depending on size of glass, add drops of Kool-Aid drink mix. (Directions on bottle will tell you how many drops to use.
Very gently stir to mix flavor, you don’t want to flatten the drink.
Take one scoop of vanilla ice cream and place of top of drink.
Add your garnishes of Swedish fish, Teddy Grahams and umbrella!
Feel free to make this an adult drink by using MiO Energy drink mix in Wicked Blue. It has caffeine so you can keep up with the kids all day long!
If you want an even more adult beverage, add your favorite vodka or rum, I had it with rum and it was delicious!
Hopefully your summer days will be filled with sunshine, sprinklers and hotdogs, it is some something we all deserve this season!
Cheers!
For more summer activities and ideas be sure to scroll below and check out some other of my blogger friends I’ve teamed up with!
My name is Nicole and I am a full time working mom to my toddler Franco. I love creating and sharing ideas. You can find me rummaging at estate sales, binge-watching The Golden Girls while chugging Diet Coke, listening to old school hip hop, supporting small businesses and being an advocate for maternal mental health.
