First of all, it’s Boston Marathon DAY!!! I know so many who are racing, so here’s a big GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THOSE MILES from the Cotters!!!
Okay, phew, didn’t want to forget to send some sherpa cheer. Now, let’s get to the post. I feel as if it might be lengthy for a Monday, but that’s okay. Lots to share, lots of good stuff that is.
This weekend was a working weekend, as are most, but nonetheless it was weekend full of WINS. I spent most of my time in the kitchen and other time with friends and family. A win/win for sure!
Win #1: I am finally learning how to SHOP SMARTER and GREENER, my personal shopping and my small business (Healthy Bites) shopping. Austin recently became a BAG FREE city (plastic bags are no longer allowed), so we are extra cautious of bringing our reusable bags and fill them with even more PURPOSEFUL ingredients. I’d say this is perfect timing since April is Earth Month. And speaking of Earth… Earthbound is doing some pretty amazing things this month. They are hosting a giveaway/contest for free useable bags/Earthbound coupons. You’ll also get a chance to win a $150 worth of groceries!!
All you have to do to win is SHOP SMARTER by using their GREEN Shopping tips. Then snap a photo of your groceries and post it on instagram/twitter/ or Facebook with #everycartcounts @earthboundfarms.
Here are a few WINNING GO GREEN Shopping Tips:
And here’s a little peek of my shopping cart on Saturday. More local and Organic produce
Win #2: I actually made a pretty creative MMAZ recipe! Blueberries are this week’s ingredient of choice. We were craving sweet and spicy, so BLUEBERRY SALSA was a WIN/WIN at the Cotter household.
Original Recipe adapted from here. I combined this with a little goat cheese, broccoli slaw, and sunflower seeds for a nice salad topping or side dish.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups diced or chopped blueberries (or you can do a quick spin in the the blender, just don’t puree)
- 1 medium sweet onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeno or chili pepper, seeded and minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 chopped tomato
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil or olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon paprika or cayenne
- Optional add ins or toppings: chopped bell pepper, corn, watermelon, rice vinegar, garlic, sunflower seeds
Directions
- Combine all chopped ingredients in a small bowl and let sit for 20 minutes or so. Feel to top with avocado as well!
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Win #3: Since the hubs was away racing, I spent my Saturday in the kitchen making Healthy Bites. But I got a ton done thanks to my good friend and neighbor Abby who helped!
I also got to escape for a bit to see this AMAZING woman! So glad I was able to see her before she jetted off to California!
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST… win #4: A RACE WIN! The husband won the Olympic Distance Race down in Corpus Christi this weekend. SO SO THRILLED for him! Go ahead .. say it… WELCOME BACK “COTTER!”
As corny as it sounds, I’m gonna have to ask…
What WIN(S) did you have this weekend?
Cheers,
LC (aka sherpa wife)
Oh man, I totally missed this post two weeks ago :/ Congrats to James for winning!! YAY!!!!!
I know I’m late but Congrats to James!! I did a Walk for MS(Multiple Sclerosis) for a friend’s Mom. It was great and felt good to help out in my own way 😀
that’s awesome!! I love the MS walks! so meaningful
There’s so much to be excited about in this post! It most certainly WAS a winning weekend! First, CONGRATS to the Hubs on his victory in the Olympic Race Down! Give him an extra high-five for me, okay?
Second, I love hearing that Austin has gone plastic bag-free. DC started charging customers for bags a year or two ago, and it’s amazing how much it has impacted shoppers’ habits for the better. So many people carry reusable bags now! 🙂
My mouth is watering over your blueberry salsa recipe! I can only imagine how blissful it will taste with goat cheese. Bookmarked!
Sending huge hugs and lots of love your way, Lindsay! <3 xoxo
thank you friend!! now if only i could get some of your bacon goodness, then my week would end on a win! haha
Big congrats to the hubby!! That’s awesome! I wish NJ would go green! They don’t even recycle plastic water bottles at the gym! It is horrible! The blueberry salsa looks delicious! I have an exorbitant among of frozen blueberries so I think they may have to be used for this! It would go so good on some salmon! New healthy bites flavor is mmmmm! 😉
oh yes, go for it!! and then send me some of your blueberry bars!
My win was listening to my body and resting on Saturday which helped me to feel well enough to get a lot of things done on Sunday so that I would be prepared to travel again later in the week!
that’s one IMPORTANT win!!
Wow! That’s great. So glad he won. Smiles all around!
welcome back Cotter, YEAH! congrats to James and hugs to you both!
this salsa sounds amazing – I’ll be trying this SOON.
Oh i think it would go well on something jalapeno of yours, yes?
My wins this weekend were seeing my niece (1) and nephew (2). And running the Spartan Sprint at CitiField with trainers and new friends from my CrossFit gym. If I could have this much fun in every race, I would do it every weekend.
oh i agree! races are meant to be FUN! and love that family time.
Looks yummy! A must try!
I am late so my heart goes out to all involved & running in Boston!!! HUGS!!!!
I do have to sat good things though to you & love the Eco challenge & giveaway you posted! Love the salsa & healthy bites & the win fro hubby!!!
Thru all this, we have to remember the good in the world otherwise they win… HUGS!
ditto friend. thank you for giving such love and support to us all!
Congrats to Hubby Cotter!
That recipe sounds delicious.. the spicy and sweet combo = win for sure!
That salad looks delicious- great idea with the salsa, sounds like it would go well with so many things! Your most recent hb sounds amazing! Congrats to your hubby!
Loving the look of that salsa – I would have never thought to create one with blueberries, you are smarter than me!! And CONGRATS to Mr Cotter — amazing WIN for the weekend. 🙂
haha, i am not smarter than you! you are my go to recipe genius!
That’s a HIGH complement coming from you – thanks friend! 🙂
Congrats to the hubby! I am so gonna have to try the blueberry salsa!
let me know if you do!!
WOW! A big congrats to your Husband!!!! That is truly amazing!
Simply outstanding.
My win from the weekend was to stop living by the “schedule” I set for myself, and simply living in the moment! So much more freedom!
Have Monday beauty!
that’s great Lisa! stick… or not stick.. to it!! YAY!
Elated to hear about the win. hard work and determination.
Sounds like a perfect weekend, dear!
indeed. Very thankful for this small victory! and thankful for YOU
Sounds like a beautiful weekend Crazy Cotter! So happy for the hubs! My win for the weekend was tackling my 12 miles pain free and smiling. This is a huge win after a couple of weeks of frustrating runs. Ran with my heart! XO
that’s a HUGE victory!! so proud of you friend!
Ahhh so happy for James (and you!) Congrats 🙂
And YUM to that salsa – I love salsas that are a bit fruity.
is it wrong that i could eat it by the cup full? hmmm, nope
CONGRATS to Mr. Cotter!!!!!!! That’s amazing!!!!
If there were a “LOVE” button on my keyboard I would be clicking it times a million! Such a great post and major shout out to the hubs. I am so incredibly happy for you both. Both of you working hard, pursuing your passions and succeeding!
thank YOU friend. And for always believing.
LOVE this Cotter win, when I saw your FB post about it, I was SO excited for both of you. A needed win for sure. I also looove that you got to see Dorry!! Totally jealous of course 😉
ps that blueberry salsa, YUM. Can you make it for me?? LOL
i could use a lot of gal pal time with all you ladies. that would be a big WIN!! love you. <3
Ahhh! A huge WELCOME BACK COTTER to James! He must be thrilled and you so proud! What a great thing to read this morning. 😀
Also, I love that Austin is a no-bag city – so cool! Great tips for going green.
My wins? A long run before the weather got bad and braving bad weather for a great ski day with a group of cancer survivors and supporters – not a bad weekend to get outside after all! 😀
you all amaze me! so unstoppable! WIN WIN for sure!
Congrats to Mr. Cotter!! That’s fantastic news. 🙂
I’ve switched to buying lots of organic produce, and now I’ve been trying to buy more locally. So, even though it can be challenging (to find what I need, when I need it), every little bit helps.
ohh such a good idea! we need to look into that in Austin!
my ‘win’ was getting the rest and pampering I SO desperately needed! I had a spa day on Saturday, and then spent the rest of the SNOWY weekend chilling out with my hubby. So refreshing 🙂
Great shopping haul! I LOVE lentil chips! And the salsa? What a fabulous recipe, never thought to make salsa with blueberries… have you made Ashley’s (Edible Perspective) blueberry BBQ sauce? It’s mindblowingly amazing.
Congrats again to James! What a wonderful way to get back into racing with such good results 🙂
oh no, i need to check out this BBQ sauce! and i know you can relate. sigh.. wish you lived closer
The Earthbound thing seems like a really neat concept! I really like it.
CONGRATS HUBBY!!! TEAM COTTER!!
thanks friend. proud of him and hope he can continue to push forward!
Hooray for Kiwi Cotter! Here’s hoping for a win in Houston, too 😉
Yum, I am totally making this blueberry salsa. And I am enjoying my Healthy Bites, including the Butter Rum! Confession, though: I hide them in the back of my fridge so my hubs doesn’t eat them all (as he never looks past the front of the fridge).
My weekend…eh. I did win with making a couple of new things in the kitchen (a great stress reliever!). Been running myself a bit too ragged…some serious relaxation is due 🙂
woohooo hubs!!!! soooo exciting! hmmm wins for me this weekend – ran a lot of errands, tried and loved coconut milk ice cream – a few losses though – i couldnt find the almond cheese at my grocery store and i got two other kinds of non-dairy cheese and nearly threw up when i tried them. also a fail, annies gluten free pizza.
What a fantastic weekend! I LOVE the idea for going bag-less. In fact, this morning on my way to work, one got stuck on my front bumper. We always make sure to take out reusable bags in and rarely get plastic ones – if we do, we use them after for lunch sacks, kitty litter, etc. Anyway to reuse!CONGRATS to James! That is awesome on the win!
I had a nice WIN when I managed to finish IronGirl half in under 2 hours with previously never having run a bridge in my life- much less 4x during the race.
That salsa sounds fantastic. But even better? The hubby’s win!! So exciting! When I saw that post yesterday it just made me smile.
Sounds like a fabulous weekend for the Cotter bunch! Happy for ya’ll and MAJOR kudos to the hubs for his win — WELCOME BACK 🙂
thanks friend. You are one amazing supporter! xxoo
Wahooooo TEAM COTTER!!!!!
Salsa sounds delish! Definitely a WIN! 🙂
A HUGE congrats to hubby! MmMM I love blueberry season! And always like that my fridge empties out every week because we mostly eat FRESH foods! 🙂
Congrats to Hubby Cotter on the win this weekend! I’m glad you had such a stellar weekend with many wins 🙂 I need to order some more Healthy Bites from you soon!
yAY! Would love to send you some. email me whenever!
Yay James! Congrats! Congrats! What a wonderful weekend indeed. I love mango and peach salsas but never thought to use blueberries. Genius!
Huge congrats to your hubs! That’s really awesome. My win this weekend? I’m going to go ahead and say the frostbite I’m sporting on my cheek – a ‘kiss’ from the mountains after an awesome weekend snowboarding 😉
Huge congrats to your hubby! That is incredible!!
I am feeling the same “win” as you for getting my act together enough to post an #MMAZ recipe today 🙂 Your salsa sounds delicious–I will definitely be making it soon (as soon as local blueberries appear at the market). Happy Monday!
oh yours looked so good, as always!
congrats to hubby!!! that’s awesome!
thanks linz. Hope you had a great bday. Hugs to you and lots of love!
Congratulations to James! You two are full of wins on this Monday morning!
We aren’t plastic bag free, but the hubby and I remember to use ours 90% of the time. Just need to work on that last 10!
Happy Monday!
Congrats on the win!!! He totally deserves sme salsa and some Bites. Maybe bored dipped in salsa? Lol!
That’s so cool Austin is bag-free. The only time I use them now is for seafood. Is sleeves me out to have it in my cloth bags.
like healthy bite and salsa nugget combo? haha
I’ve never thought of combining blueberries and salsa! I’ll have to experiment!! Welcome back Cotter!!!!
thanks friend! Hope he stays back! hugs to you today, fellow runner. xxoo
Congrats to your hubby 😀 YAY!!!!!!! And congrats to you for shopping smarter! I probably could do that too! Sometimes (like always) I get carried away and definitely don’t follow that “buy just enough” rule! I always use it up, but I become anxious about it, too! Cause I buy SO much most of the time.
I will totally be making this salsa 😀 I would love it with sunflower seeds and I have goat cheese, too! 😀
you can do it! being on a budget helps me. haha, less excess food!
What an awesome weekend! HUGE congrats to your hubs for winning!!! Your blueberry salsa looks awesome. And I love Austin- yay for no more plastic bags!
First, congratulations to your husband! What an amazing accomplishment. Get it boyy!!!
Secondly, blueberry salsa… say whatt!!! Just saved the recipe and look forward to making it one of these weekends =)
oh yay! let me know if you make it!
blueberry salsa? that is interesting! but i do love mango salsa so i think this blueberry one may be tasty, too! 🙂
we moved here RIGHT AFTER it became bagfree too.
Im not sure why I thought it would be so hard (?) I actually like it far better now.
and YAY
big smiles.
GO GO GO TEAM COTTER!!
lol, I wasn’t even thinking that, but yeah, Welcome Back (and CONGRATS) Cotter! That’s awesome.
So..blueberry salsa? I’m stealing that idea!! Wonderful.
And, I remember last year when Earthbound did this contest. I think it’s pretty darn awesome. I wish our store would do something like that. We should…I should spearhead it!
me too! i like them even more now. Earthbound is so smart!
A MAJOR congrats to your husband – that’s AWESOME!! Welcome back, Cotter! 😉
And seriously blueberry salsa sounds fantastic, I’ll have to make that soon…
My wins this weekend included relaxation and getting through a few things on my to-do list. I was able to mix productive with lazy and sometimes, that’s pretty hard to do! 🙂
wow, that is hard to do on a weekend, but you of all people can do it! WIN WIN friend! p.s let me know if you try the salsa!