Splendor in the Grass
Hello, hello! I’m glad that you enjoyed my Yo Mama references—I agree with y’all: yo mama jokes are NEVER out of style.
This afternoon, I headed over to Target, where I went a little crazy on the workout DVDs. It all has to do with my April challenge, so I have an excuse, right? I’ll unveil the new challenge tomorrow!
After Target, I was going to go to TJ Maxx, but it was just too pretty to spend the afternoon indoors, so I headed home, and Ryan and I leashed up the dogs and took them to a new park in our neighborhood. It was so nice! There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Ella had fun with the chuck-it:
While Baxter pretty much just ate grass.
I soaked up the sun:
And Ryan rocked out in a flannel shirt. You can take the boy out of Seattle…
After running around, Ella was a panting machine. Ryan took these hilarious pictures of her:
What a funny dog.
Dinner tonight was really good! I set out to make a healthier version of spinach artichoke dip (one of my faves), and ended up with an awesome sandwich!
Healthy Spinach and Artichoke Spread
Ingredients
1 10 oz. jar artichokes, drained
4 cups baby spinach
1 tsp. olive oil
4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
Directions:
In a pan, heat olive oil and sautee garlic until just golden (careful not to burn!!). In a food processor, place artichokes, garlic, and olive oil.
In a microwave-safe bowl, place spinach and 2-3 tbsp. of water and heat in microwave for 60 seconds, or until wilted. Add to food processor, along with garlic salt.
Process until desired consistency is reached.
Yum!
I thought that I would need too add some sort of mayo to this, but it was great just on its own! You won’t even miss the mayo, I promise!
One thing I did notice: the spinach and artichokes were a little watery. Because of this, once the spread was processed, I transferred it to a paper towel and gently squeezed to remove the excess liquid. After I did this, it was perfect!
Here’s the dip, pre-squeeze:
Squeezing out the liquid:
This would be an excellent dip…as demonstrated by moi, with crackers:
But we had ours as a sandwich spread. I split a multi-grained baguette in half and spread about 1/4 of a cup on all four halves. Then I topped them each with about a teaspoon of grated parmesan and transferred to a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes, until the cheese was nice and melty.
Perfect!
Oh, and this was funny. You know you’re smashing your garlic with too much force when…
LOL! How did this even happen?!? One minute, I had a nice normal chopping board, and the next minute I was holding two halves! I guess I don’t know my own strength! 
Hope you’re having a great night…the week is almost over! We’re supposed to get weather in the 70’s all weekend…I can’t wait!
Tune in tomorrow to hear my wrap-up on Taste the Rainbow, along with my new April challenge!
After not having sun all week and ditching my dog at home, your pictures are very promising for my weekend!
You have karate skillz.
So glad you had a nice spring day to get out
I like your healthier version of the spinach aritchoke dip and plan to try it.
On one of your earlier posts you asked about unused appliiances. My friend and I were always talking about how we wanted to use our crockpots more so we started a crockpot club to get us motivated. One person sends out a recipe for the group to try and then we report back about variations we tried and the results. I like coming home after a day at work and having dinner all ready. I think you will find a lot of good vegetarian recipes- soups and bean dishes that would work well in the crockpot.
Ok love the full on frontal not trying to hard in your workout clothes pics! youre gorgeous!
and so is ryan and your dogs.
and that dip. i was like whoa, where’s the mayo? but seriously that looks so hearty, sans mayo.
in my nooch post, i have a recipe for spin/arti dip but uses soaked cashews (or veganaise) as a base. i love yours and what could be easier and not full of crap.
perfect!
That was some pretty strong garlic.
You guys are too cute! I’m glad you finally had some sunshine out there!
LOL @ the chopping board! You blates don’t know your own strength
That’s such a cute dinner too, good call on the dip – tasteh!
I go mad on workou DVDs too…I have maybe 20 or 30!!??
Oh my goodness! I cannot believe the cutting board thing! I have worried about doing something crazy when trying to halve big squash but garlic? Guess you’re just much stronger than I
.
I’m totally laughing at the chopping board!! And I’m glad you got to enjoy the beautiful weather! Ella is beautiful.
What gorgeous weather!! I’m glad it’s finally warming up again
That dip looks great, I love that it’s not packed with cheese/cream like so many of them are!!
That’s it! I’m totally taking my dog to the dog park today! You just reminded me of yet another joy of Spring!
That dip looks amazing! That’s one of my favorite dips, too, but it’s so fattening. I’ll have to try this out!
What STUNNING pictures! Looks like a gorgeous day! That dip looks fantastic! Haha uhoh, looks like you might need a new cutting board
Yum yum on that spread. One of my favorite combos! Enjoy that sunshine girl. I know I have been this week. I’ve broken a few cutting boards. We keep the halves b/c they make great mini-cutting boards when you only need to chop up something small like a lemon.
That spinach spread looks delish! And to comment on the lunch post, Ella is such a beautiful dog.
That’s too funny about the cutting board! I guess you could technically still use it. It was a nice, clean break!
I love spinach and artichoke anything! And I can’t get over the cutting board haha
I love those pics at the park!! What great weather!!!
Your such a strong lady! Without knowing that you were chopping garlic when that happened, I like thinking that you did that with your hand like they do in karate movies
That dip looks delicious. I will definitely try it! So glad y’all finally have some nice weather – you deserve it after this winter!
Wow, amazing dip and I’m already plotting a raw version!
Cute pics, such amazing weather that is has to be enjoyed! Wish I could say the same about the weather here! Lol on the cutting board – they’re like running shoes, killing them is a good sign that you’re working hard! 
That dip sounds amazing!!! YUM!
Anna, I have the same exact cutting board and mine split just like that too. I think it’s from running it through the dishwasher too many times. Errr, I mean, I broke it with my superhuman strength too.
i love the sound of this recipe – just bookmarked it!
LOL I love Ryans shirt! Flannel is making a comeback!
Don’t tell him that!