I Scream You Scream We all Scream!



The last thing my expanding waistline needs is smooth, flavorful, and rich ice cream made from a 12% milk and cream mixture.

Unfortunately, my soul does in fact need it, and put up a really strong argument in favor of the stuff.

So, my soul and I convinced my sweets that we needed a summer mini-date night and headed out to enjoy a marvelous sunset drive in search of the perfect cone.

We found this little gem in Richfield, Ohio. Well worth the scenic drive through the winding roads of the valley! Is there a better way to spend an evening than blasting your favorite songs on your iPod, windows down, with your love, in the summer? Not for this little lady.

Of course, I couldn't choose between the freshest Melt-in-Your-Mouth Banana and the creamy Wish-I-Had-a-Bucket-of-It Butter Pecan. So, as is my tradition with shopping, I had both! One scoop of each please!  Pure genious, I know. I could tell the 16 year old kid felt the same as I shouted my bright idea to her across the counter.  

And, just in case you're wondering. I'm wearing the $1.00 dress I purchased at the Salvation Army last summer. It made me feel very Mad Men.

 Now, if I only had a '57 Chevy.

A girl can dream.

Sigh.

Eat. Rest. Eat More.

I spent the majority of my weekend stuffing my face and I'm not ashamed to say it. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the key to my heart. (Sweets usually work as well.) Luckily, the farmers' market was in full swing after J.M.and I worked our butts off at the gym.

Countryside Farmers' Market at Howe Meadow Akron, Ohio

I really wanted to try one of the delectable fresh pastries, BUT I stayed strong and opted for fresh romaine, organic eggs, and homegrown apples.

Talk about voting at the register!

 I love to chat with the vendors at farmers' markets. They are sweet and kind. I couldn't decide which apples to buy, so the man gave me a taste test.

DING DING DING! Winner winner, apple dinner?

 Scrumptious.

I'll take the Yellow Delicious please!

As we meandered through the market, we stopped briefly (precisely long enough to take this photo) to enjoy the music.

 I totally should have had a harpist at my wedding.

Beautiful.

Believe it or not, the apple didn't fill me up. So, we stopped to dine on the patio in the valley. The weather was absolutely perfecto. The company wasn't so bad either.

Two eggs, toast, home fries, and 3 pieces of bacon later..... we were stuffed (not a small task)!

Guys, I'm going to be honest here. I love the idea of eating organic and local as much as I possibly can. It's best for the local economy, but more importantly, it's best for your health. With that being said, I simply cannot afford to do it on a full time basis. That doesn't mean we can't support our local farmers. There are plenty of distributors in our area that provide deliciously fresh, local, and affordable produce, especially during the summer months. Start by simply shopping for your veggies only and move forward from there!

Take a look at some of the websites below for more information:

Fresh recipes:

Clean Eating

Sweet OnVeg

Local Markets:

Kreiger's Market

Akron General Fresh Market

Shaffer's Market

Sustainable Table

Visit Ohio In Your Own Backyard

Akron and Cleveland residents are super lucky to have the amazing Cuyahoga Valley National Park right in their backyard. There are countless trails for hiking and biking. One of my personal favorites is the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Yesterday, I took my bike down to enjoy some solitude and nature watching. Of course,  I brought my camera. You never know what you'll find in the park!

There are several points of interest along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. I entered on the Ira Trailhead located on 3801 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, OH, 44264. However, you can start the towpath wherever you choose. There are 48 Trailheads and 81+ miles to choose from! Oh, and did I mention? Totally FREE!

Just in researching for this post, I found an activity that I would love to try and I think you might too! Click here!

For more in depth information about the Towpath Trail, visit the website. I'm excited to try something new, and I hope you are too. 

Let summer begin!

Sisters gotta hug!

Meet Lisa.

She's one of my older sisters.

She enjoys moonlit walks on the beach, dancing in the rain, and shopping.

Luckily for me, she also likes to go out for girls' night on the weekends.

So do I!

 Saturday night we put on our party pants and hit the town!

Fun was had.

Men were bashed.

Laughs were heard.

Good times.