Embracing Summer: New Beginnings, Epic Travels, and Creative Adventures

Can you believe it’s already June? The year truly feels like it’s flying by, bringing with it the vibrant energy and endless possibilities of summer. As we navigate through this exciting time, I find myself reflecting on recent milestones and looking forward to incredible adventures. From celebrating special occasions to embarking on significant life changes, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and joy. I hope your Memorial Day Weekend was as memorable as mine!

My holiday weekend was a delightful mix of celebrations and big moves. Part of it was spent at the River House, toasting to Linley’s birthday, surrounded by friends and good cheer. The other portion involved the exciting, albeit exhausting, process of moving apartments and cherishing quality time with my beloved family. It’s a season of transition, and I’m thrilled to share all the latest updates with you!

A New Chapter: Settling Into Our Minneapolis Home

New Home, New Beginnings: Mark Moves to Minneapolis!

After weeks of anticipation and the inevitable chaos that comes with relocation, I am officially settled into my new apartment, and the feeling is nothing short of pure bliss! A significant part of this immense happiness stems from the fact that the moving process, which I genuinely despise, is finally behind me. I’ve apparently evolved into the type of person who procrastinates packing until the absolute last minute. The thought of disorganization and things being out of place tends to trigger a lot of anxiety for me, so I often avoid it until it’s unavoidable. This time, I enlisted the incredible help of my amazing friends, Linley and Cath, the day before the big move. That’s truly what friends are for, isn’t it?

Speaking of needing help, I have a story to tell! Just three days before moving day, I managed to injure my neck quite badly. In my usual routine of cracking my neck and back, something went wrong, and my chiropractor informed me I had actually sprained my neck. For three days, I could barely move my neck or back, rendering me incapable of lifting even the lightest boxes. This unfortunate incident made Linley and Cath’s assistance not just appreciated, but absolutely essential. Their help was invaluable, and I couldn’t have managed the move without them.

Beyond the relief of being moved, a huge part of my current joy comes from the exciting prospect of Mark and I finally living in the same city! I moved into the apartment a month ahead of him, and I can hardly contain my excitement for his arrival. Imagine waking up and having breakfast together every single day – it’s a small detail that means the world to me. In preparation for him joining me, I’ve been diligently working on making more space. You should have seen the massive load I took to Goodwill the other day! Decluttering has become a new hobby, ensuring our shared space feels open and welcoming.

The Memorial Day weekend sales offered the perfect opportunity to splurge a little on some key pieces for our new home. We invested in quality furniture that will not only look great but also last us for years to come. We happily brought home this stylish dining table, this functional desk, and this elegant buffet, all from West Elm. These pieces instantly elevate the space and are a fantastic foundation for our decor.

While we’ve made significant progress, our home decor journey is far from over. I’m currently on the hunt for a media console large enough to comfortably accommodate our 60-inch TV, new lamps to create a cozy ambiance in the bedroom, and the perfect set of chairs to complete our dining table. These are the fun, yet sometimes challenging, “adulting” problems that come with furnishing a new place.

Currently, things are still a bit in disarray, as unpacking and organizing a home takes time. There’s still a scattering of boxes and items everywhere, but we’re making steady progress. I’ve shared a few sneak peeks on Instagram, offering glimpses into our evolving space. However, I promise that the moment I get some truly fantastic, complete photos of the apartment, I will be sharing them right here for all of you to see every detail of our new Minneapolis abode!

Summer Adventures: Our Upcoming Travel Plans

Ah, ’tis the season for summer travel! Every year, I tell myself that I’m going to stay relatively close to home during the warmer months. There’s something truly magical about Midwestern summers, and I genuinely adore exploring within a 300-mile radius. I’d say I’m doing a pretty good job sticking to that plan this year, with a few exciting exceptions! Here’s a sneak peek at where Fit Foodie Finds will be heading:

Milwaukee, WI: A Bittersweet Farewell

Mark’s busy season at work finally wraps up this Monday, and I’m heading to his place to spend the rest of the week there. It will be a bittersweet visit, as it’s the LAST TIME I’ll be staying at his casa before he officially moves to Minneapolis! We’re looking forward to enjoying some final Milwaukee moments together before this exciting new chapter begins for both of us.

Red Rocks, Colorado: A Dream Come True

This trip holds a special significance for me. I recently stumbled upon a list of goals I had written down for myself in 2006, when I was just 16 years old. One of them was “Go to a Dispatch concert.” While I absolutely love Dispatch, I actually adore Guster even more. So, imagine my absolute delight when I discovered that they are playing TOGETHER at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre! Mark and I are going, and neither of us has ever been to Red Rocks before, nor have we seen a Dispatch concert. We are beyond excited for this experience. To make it even more special, we’ve rented a charming AirBnB nestled in the mountains, promising a truly unforgettable and intimate getaway for just the two of us. I simply cannot wait!

Lutsen, MN: Northern Minnesota Retreat

For the Fourth of July, my family and I are heading up north to the picturesque Lutsen, Minnesota, situated on the stunning shores of Lake Superior. It’s an annual tradition we all cherish, a perfect escape into nature. Our plans include a day exploring the serene Boundary Waters and hiking along sections of the Superior Hiking Trail. We’re crossing our fingers that Mark and I will have our very own canoe by then, allowing us to put it to the ultimate test amidst the pristine waters and breathtaking scenery. Imagine gliding across the calm lakes, surrounded by lush forests – pure bliss.

Hermosa Beach, CA: West Coast Vibes

My wonderful friend Lindsey finally convinced me that Mark and I absolutely need to go watch Tim play in one of his AVP volleyball tournaments this summer. After much deliberation, we chose… HERMOSA BEACH! There are so many reasons to be excited: 1. I love Lindsey and her infectious energy. 2. I adore Tim and cheering him on. 3. Brody, their adorable son, is always a joy to be around. 4. And of course, I absolutely love California! We’re definitely planning to be there from Thursday to Sunday in late July, but we might even extend our stay for a couple more days to fully soak in the California sun and vibrant beach atmosphere. If any of you have recommendations for fantastic places to stay or exciting things to do in Southern California, please don’t hesitate to hit me up! We’re always looking for local gems.

This summer of travel reminds me fondly of my grand Euro trip last year, another incredible chapter of exploration and discovery. Each journey, whether near or far, enriches our lives and provides endless inspiration.

Summer at Fit Foodie Finds HQ: Creativity, Balance, and Delicious Discoveries

The Summer Workflow: Maximizing Creativity

Summertime at Fit Foodie Finds HQ is, without a doubt, the absolute best. The extended daylight hours are a game-changer for our content creation process. Longer days mean we have significantly more natural light to work with, allowing us to shoot up to four recipes in a single day, as opposed to the two we might manage during shorter, darker months. Both Linley and I vastly prefer this accelerated pace because it enables us to accomplish so much more in just three or four concentrated workdays, rather than stretching our tasks across a full five-day week. This efficiency is key to maintaining our creative flow and productivity.

Prioritizing Work-Life Balance: Our “No Fridays” Rule

One of our most cherished rules at Fit Foodie Finds is that, for the most part, no work is allowed on Fridays. This commitment to a three-day weekend is vital for our well-being and creative energy. When in doubt, or simply whenever we crave a break, our default destination is the tranquil River House – a true sanctuary where we can unwind, recharge, and find fresh inspiration away from our desks. This dedication to work-life balance isn’t just a perk; it’s a fundamental aspect of how we operate.

A primary reason we’re able to consistently take Fridays off is our intentional decision to scale back on the sheer volume of content we produce during the summer months. Why? Because everyone, including us, is outside enjoying the beautiful weather – or at least, they should be! We recognize that our audience’s priorities shift in summer. Our peak engagement times are typically around New Year’s, when everyone is focused on healthy resolutions, and “back to school” season. Understanding these seasonal rhythms allows us to adjust our content calendar strategically.

Therefore, summer is a time for us to embrace vacation and rejuvenation. Everyone deserves some time off; after all, play time is what we truly live for, isn’t it? These periods of rest and relaxation are crucial for preventing burnout, sparking new ideas, and ensuring we return to our work with renewed vigor. We know that September will arrive before we know it, and with it, we’ll be back to our full five-day work weeks, brimming with fresh content and boundless energy.

Exploring Minnesota’s Craft Beer Scene

Until then, you can find us brewery hopping and thoroughly enjoying our Fridays off! Speaking of brewery hopping, I recently discovered two fantastic new spots last week that have absolutely captured my heart: Dangerous Man and Able. Both offer incredible craft beers and a wonderful atmosphere. My newfound appreciation for beer has me incredibly excited to launch a new “Minnesota Series” dedicated to our favorite local breweries. Get ready for some fantastic recommendations as I dive deeper into the vibrant craft beer scene.

Exciting New Recipes on the Horizon!

OH – and prepare yourselves for some truly exciting upcoming recipes, guys! I am absolutely bursting with anticipation to share them all with you NOW. We’ve been working on some incredibly delicious and creative dishes that I know you’ll love. Keep an eye out on the blog for these fresh, innovative, and wholesome additions to your meal rotation. You won’t want to miss them!

That is all the exciting news and ramblings I have for you at the moment. Stay tuned for more updates, delicious recipes, and travel adventures!

CIAO!