Farro Salad with Baby Spinach, Peas & Toasted Pecans
A few things have me craving lots of vegetarian and vegan meals lately. I’m honestly not sure if it’s just because it’s the summer…a time when I typically crave lighter foods. I also feel the urge to eat less meat with the whole idea of climate change. We have had a large drought in Telluride, CO and around the nation. It’s hard to ignore global warming and our impact as humans on our fragile Planet Earth.
I still enjoy meats and fish, but I have been eating them less than I used to. You will still see me cook with all kinds of ingredients, but with a bit more upcoming focus on vegan dishes. My Farro Salad with Baby Spinach, Peas & Toasted Pecans is a full, hearty meal, but also weighs in light and easy for summer. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
My kids ask for this Chocolate Chip Raspberry Banana Bread every week. It comes together super quickly and if your kiddos love to be in the kitchen then this recipe is one they will love to help you with. If you crave chocolate as much as we do then this recipe is for you! Make this quick bread for breakfast, brunch and for snacking.
I love enjoying the delicious bounty of summer! There are so many ways to make a pizza, but these Easy Tomato Basil Flatbread Pizzas couldn’t be simpler and more tasty. I used some of my all time favorite ingredients in this recipe: marinated artichokes, Kalamata olives, Ciliegene mozzarella, fresh plum tomatoes, basil and whole wheat naan bread. Don’t forget some hearty gluggs of extra virgin olive oil to crisp up the bread and make everything more mouthwatering!
We all love DAD. He is the greatest guy out there, but let’s face it…he can be really tricky to shop for. This Father’s Day I want all of us to have fun shopping for dad. Here are great gift ideas that should help get you on the right track. If dad is into sports, music, food, grilling, gardening or the great outdoors you should find something he will love on this list. Happy shopping!
Dad needs a cool carryall too..love this vintage backpack styling by Herschel.
Does dad love to grill? These BBQ sauces will inspire him to make dinner!
We love this Greek Quinoa Salad during the warm summer months. It’s super light, healthy and filled with all kinds of delicious, easy to find ingredients. This salad is great for summer potlucks, picnics and BBQ’s. It can be served as a side dish as a main. You can keep it vegetarian or top with grilled seafood or steak for a heartier meal. This video shows you just how simple this is to prepare.
When you have a craving for chocolate and peanut butter then you have to satisfy it asap! In walks my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Swirl Brownies. They are the ultimate dessert or snack when you hit that mid-day slump. My kids were so excited to come home from school to munch on these brownies. I’m sure they will be asked for over and over again…
This time of the year it’s all about simple, delicious, healthy and easy recipes. My Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers are so wonderful. They are great as an appetizer or as part of the main course. You can add them to salads, street tacos, pasta and so much more. If you are cooking on the grill, you can make these outdoors. If cooking in the kitchen, use your handy cast iron skillet.
If you are anything like me then perhaps you start dreaming, saving and planning your vacations way in advance. These outstanding locations are certainly ones to add to any bucket lust list! How do you enjoy the great outdoors while still living with extraordinary luxury? You go Glamping! These 10 properties will suit the most discerning travelers with experiences to remember forever. image credit: Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp
The term GLAMPING became a part of every it girls vocabulary within the last few years and it is here to stay. If you love to travel in style, crave the great outdoors and not forgo your creature comforts then glamping might just be for you. There are incredible destinations around the globe and the trend is growing rapidly. From a treehouse in a forest canopy to an eco-lodge, to a chic tent or yurt…the possibilities are endless. Luxury glamping will cost some bucks, but oh is it worth it! Some experiences are just worth every penny. I’ve curated 10 Unforgettable Locations to go Glamping in 2018, add them all to your bucket list.
While glamping, you should expect the best field guides for your outdoor adventures, a great staff, beautiful accommodations, the tastiest food and drink and priceless views and experiences. Activities you can access while on of these trips depends upon your location are and what you want to do. Never be afraid to ask for something, a truly luxury property should be able to fulfill most of your whimsical ideas.
Sign me up for Yellowstone and Collective Vail stat! These folks take glamping very seriously and will make sure all of your 5-star needs are well handled. They have unique properties in a number of locations, so you can choose what best fits your style and needs. Looking for an experience with unparalleled views of the Statue of Liberty? Well then, check out their property just a quick ferry ride from downtown Manhattan. This peaceful oasis is nestled near the hills of historic Governors Island. You’ll be surrounded by sprawling green spaces and views of NYC unttainable any other way.
I will be visiting this award winning 30,000 acre ranch this summer. Be sure to follow my Insta for my getaway updates. At Brush Creek Ranch (a distinctive Relais & Chateaux property) you can indulge your pioneer spirit and experience shooting sports, horseback riding, cattle drives and of course the finest cuisine. The have a full spa and wellness center to pamper you after a busy day in the wilds. Yogis will love being able to practice in a private yurt. Check out the Ranch Offers and Events page for up to date happenings and adventures.
Dunton is located close to my home town Telluride, with a townhouse property in our historic mining town as well. There is true rustic authenticity when you visit their properties. No detail is too small, and none too large. This is a summer only tented camp (Dunton River Camp) located on a former farmstead from the 1800’s. Feel like a prospector as you venture out into the Rocky Mountains. Experience the glorious San Juan Mountains in South Western Colorado, just steps from the West Fork of the Dolores River. (That means epic fishing at your doorstep!)
As we all know the Four Seasons is synonymous with the ultimate in luxury. You can’t go wrong with the Deluxe or the Superior tent options at the Golden Triangle. You will be surrounded by breathtaking views with every move you make. Experience the finest and freshest Thai cuisine while you listen to the wildlife sing.
Do you get excited about outdoor rain showers, custom made hot tubs on wooden decks with views of paradise? At this property, you will be surrounded by the Ruak River, Burma, the mountains of Laos; and the lush jungles of the Golden Triangle. Think about all the sounds of nature that will sing you to sleep.
Merzouga is located strategically in the middle of the big dunes of the Erg Chebi Desert. They offer their guests a spectacular nomadic experience. The tents are especially unique because of the ‘KHaimas’~ traditional tents made of camel skin typically used by the nomadic people. Experiences can include camel trekking, sandboarding and enjoying Berber music around the fire under the oh so starry sky. The camp design is traditionally Moroccan, which will allow your Boho Chic spirits to soar!
The evening gastronomic experience combines the best of Moroccan cuisine with desert tradition.
Deep within Kruger National Park, you can find Africa’s finest private game reserve Kapama. This is South African luxury at it’s finest!
The staff at the Buffalo Camp will make sure you always feel safe and pampered. This is the place to see all of your favorite wild animals in their natural setting. Buffalo Camp’s suites are ultra-luxurious tents decorated in dark wood and leather finishes, all adding a nostalgic air. Oil lanterns illuminate the walkways at night create a lovely romantic ambience. You can book two game drives per day, which give you lots of opportunities to see the native wildlife.
When you need a break there is a gorgeous spa, pool and lounge area to listen to the birds sing.
If you have always dreamt about seeing elephants, then this place might need to go to the top of your bucket lust list. You can get so close to them, that you get to wash the elephants and hand feed them.Elephant Hills comprises two Luxury Tented Camps: The Elephant Camp and Rainforest Camp. They each have different activities and settings. You can choose the Soft Adventure package that allows you to experience both.
Tucked in the midst of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, you can book a trip here to “experience authentic luxury, bespoke adventure and restorative escape at a remote, turn-of-the-century-inspired outpost defined by great white canvas prospector tents and anticipatory attention to comfort, service, sustenance, and transformative fun.” I can’t think of anything better!
At Clayoquot, guests will enjoy residences artfully arranged along the water’s edge and on the hillside overlooking the estuary. This is a Relais & Chateaux property so luxury and attention to detail are completely mastered time and time again. There is a gorgeous spa and plenty of outdoor adventures to choose from.
image credit: Nomad Tanzania
Nomad Tanzania | locations throughout Tanzania, East Africa
These folks make sure you are as close to nature as possible with the camps to be as unique as their settings. These structures don’t dominate the sensational natural surroundings. There are all kinds of safaris to choose from, depending on the location you book. If you are craving a trip to East Africa then Greystoke Mahale or Chada Kahavi could easily make it to the top of your bucket list! At Nomad Tanzania they promise the best of everything glamping has to offer in this remote region and total absorption into the natural world.
This has been voted one of the best experiences in the world by so many of the finest publications. Glance at their website and it’s so easy to see why! Stay in an environmentally friendly eco dome. This sustainable hotel is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. “It first opened in 2001 and composed of eco-friendly and completely sustainable geodesic domes, EcoCamp was the first hotel of its kind in the world, and since then, has become an industry leader in sustainable lodging, inspiring the opening of eight other similar hotels worldwide.” Connect with nature on so many levels and rest assured that the food and sustainable accommodations will beckon you home to a dreamy nights sleep.
Enjoy your trip planning & let me know where you venture to!
This recipe for Swedish Pancakes was a huge hit with you guys as soon as I posted it…that made me super happy and your bellies happy too! We created this video to show you how easy it is to make these delicious crepe-like pancakes. Top with your favorite seasonal fruits. For an extra decadent treat, you can top with chocolate chips and whipped cream. There are really no bad ideas here!
Hi everyone! I’m super excited to announce the new shopping tab on MarlaMeridith.com ~ you can now shop my Instagram feed right here on MM blog. In the efforts of making everyday life way easier, it’s my ultimate goal to listen to your needs. It was recommended quite a few times that we add a Shop Instagram feature. Well here you are and I am so excited about it. As always I invite you to please share your thoughts, and always let me know if there are any other ways I can help make our website better for you!
We love this delicious, blueberry banana bread for breakfast or any time at all. Blueberry lovers, you will be smitten with the generous amount of berries tucked inside! Thanks to the natural sweetness of the bananas, less sugar is used in the overall recipe which is always a great thing. I love making quick breads… here at high altitude (Telluride, CO.) standard quick bread recipes always work and you only need one bowl to stir everything together, so a lot less clean up too.
I have noticed through the years that the less sugar I eat the better I feel, the better my skin looks and the skinnier my waistline is. So, you can enjoy this Blueberry Banana Breakfast Bread for breakfast, brunch or as an afternoon snack feeling just a bit less guilty for eating something you really enjoy.
One of the ways I can tell when you guys love a recipe is when it’s been pinned over and over again. That’s the case with my Strawberry Basil Moscow Mules. Whenever I make them for my friends (and this video crew) people just love them. It’s going to be steamy hot for the next few months, so having cocktail recipes at the ready that are cool, refreshing and delicious is mandatory! I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Now he can take his grill anywhere with this light and easily 
He can bring the best music everywhere he goes with this portable Bluetooth 
Top siders are classic, cool shoes, they can be dressed up or down. These boat shoes are the original by 
