Oh, long weekends – how I love thee. This weekend Adam and I went to my PIL’s house in Friendship, Maine. It’s become one of my favorite weekend getaways – it’s cheap and relaxing. Really relaxing. Basically, 90% of the time this weekend, you could find me in this position. 
It was wonderful. I finished 3 books and a magazine and cooked some simple, healthy meals for Adam and me (we also had dinner at Primo‘s bar one night – it was great!). I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating - often when I’m on vacation, really happy and relaxed, I actually eat a lot more intuitively. Stress or anxiety aren’t playing a role in when or what I eat. I eat because I’m hungry or because I’m really enjoying the process of a meal out (or in) with my husband. This weekend was no different.
Adam was making fun of me because I brought so much food with us. We had a giant cooler + 4 grocery bags. I planned every meal + a few baking projects. The stuff adds up when you don’t know what’s available (I brought sugar and flour, for example, something my mother-in-law already had in her pantry but I wasn’t taking risks). We ate well, that’s for sure. And I finally was inspired to take some beautiful pictures of my every-day food 
This was breakfast for the past 3 days – maple oat scone + coffee
This is the mix I used for the scones (I bought it on my first trip to Vermont). There is considerable amount of real butter in these and it’s worth every calorie!! Adam rarely eats stuff like that and he was all over these babies as well (and asked that I make them again – I wonder if there is a recipe for them somewhere out there… ).
A typical snack looked something like this: TJ’s organic nonfat greek yogurt, 1/2 pear, Three Sisters Sweet Wheat cereal + raisins
PS – I received the Three Sisters cereal for free from the company. These are 100% natural, sustainable kids cereals… I believe Sweet Wheat is competing with frosted mini wheats (are those whole grain? Kellog’s website was obnoxious so I couldn’t deal with it). It’s slightly sweet and crunchy. I liked it – Adam LOVED it. I guess he grew up with something like that. I also tried Three Sisters Cinnamon Sweets which was the bomb (yes, I just said “the bomb”). I’m not normally a “sweet cereal” kinda girl but man on man. The cinnamon sugar was to-die for. I just ate the cereal as a snack, as is, without milk or yogurt and it was gone way too fast (Adam helped considerably in that dept, it wasn’t just me). So yeah, no picture of the Cinnamon Sweets but you may see it on H&S anyway because I really loved it and may just buy it from Whole Foods at a future date. Ok… moving on to a few other snacks that I received for free to try.
Back to Nature sunflower basil crackers and Cabot serious snacking 50% reduced fat original and 75% reduced fat habanero cheddar
I’m a big fan of both companies and was really excited to try both products. Back to Nature makes some amazing natural classic cookies and their crackers were great too although I didn’t really taste much of the basil. They just tasted like regular butter crackers to me. Delicious? Yes. Unique? Not really. They did go great with these Cabot cheddar snacks. Oh man, those were great. I love how portable and low calorie (yet protein rich) they are. The habanero cheese packs some serious heat. Adam was all about the cheese this weekend 
Another delicious snack was part-skim ricotta with a drizzle of lemon juice, raisins and cacao nibs. Pretty savory with a little sweet kick from the raisins. I <3 ricotta (also, doesn’t it look like ice cream? hehe)!
Some other meals looked like this:
When Pigs Fly red pepper hummus bread with hummus, cucumber, turkey, havarti cheese and pickles
Mexican salad: baby arugula, fresh corn, black beans, grape tomatoes, grilled chicken and avocado, dressed in 1T Whole Foods balsamic vinaigrette (I may have to take a picture of the bottle some time for you. This dressing is the best!)
Grass fed burger with WW jalapeno pepper wedge (just like Laughing Cow), tomato, pickles and avocado on FFL sesame burger bun – with carrot sticks
Spaghetti squash with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, tofu and parmesan cheese
Thank you, Lara, for the microwave instructions for cooking spaghetti squash. Brilliant!
[This meal was SO filling. I finally ate maybe 6 hours later because my mouth was bored and wanted chocolate 
]
Speaking of chocolate… my parents in law are back from Italy and so these gems nixed any baking plans I had for the weekend. Who needs to bake when you can just pop a chocolate/hazelnut candy (or 2 – actually I ate them 2 at a time every time) in 2 seconds flat.
Chocolate + hazelnut is my favorite combo of all time. LOVE.
The most exciting discovery of the weekend was these little tomatoes – yes, these are TOMATOES. Does anyone know what this variety is called? Because I’m in love. Seriously, I couldn’t get enough (for Boston readers, I got them at the Copley farmers market on Friday).
Not only are these guys adorable, but they are amazingly sweet and kind of taste like fruit. I got a very strong taste of mango but with the freshness and pop of a grape tomato.
These were a popular snack this weekend. Mmmm, I need to stock up next Friday!
So yeah, this weekend rocked. I feel refreshed from all the relaxing but also super motivated for the week to come (I read some incredibly inspiring books – like The Happiness Project – have you heard of it?)
How was your weekend? What would your ideal weekend getaway be like?
Also, I know I’m such a nag but I really REALLY appreciate your support so far on Project Food Blog. I need your vote for my pelmeni post so I could move on to round 5. Please vote HERE. Thank you!!
Wait, hummus BREAD?! What’s that all about?? All of your food looks so tasty. And I am stuffed full from dinner, so that says a lot. I just got the same cereal in the mail, I need to try it. But I know I will eat it in a day
Scones look awesome–I wish you could teleport me one for the morning! xoxo
Oh yeah, hummus bread. You’ve got to get your hands on that. SO good.
3 books and a magazine? that’s awesome. ahhh those candies make me miss italy
are those yellow tomatillos? they make great salsa if that’s what they are…
and ohh im so jealous that you went to primo. i read all about chef melissa kelly in michael ruhlman’s book – the reach of a chef. shes such an inspiration!
We went to Primo on our last trip to Maine and actually enjoyed bar food even more this time around – it was cheaper and we were able to get all sorts of little appetizers (the crostini misti were to-die for!!!).
I was going to say tomatillos too. Because of the skin on them.
they are called ground grapes… weird i know, i just learned that at the farmer’s market last week actually, it’s funny to see them now here too!
I’ve also heard those grapes called ground cherries. What a fun weekend for you and Adam to relax
Sounds like a wonderful (and yummy!) long weekend away
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I received the same samples from Back to Nature and Cabot – I’m a big fan of both the crackers and the cheese slices. I typically go for sweet snacks, but with this combo in the house, I’ve been all savory lately
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Three Sisters Cinnamon Sweets have become one of my favorite “desserty” cereals. Like you, I chow down on ‘em without any accompaniments. They’re perfect on their own!
Looks like the perfect getaway. Sometimes you just need a couple of days with nothing on the agenda but breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I <3 spaghetti squash, too. There's something so satisfying about eating a massive bowl of it.
Love the food pics! Everything looks so incredible. We want the hummus bread too.
I need to find that hummus bread!
And that sounds like a really great weekend. I’m glad you were able to relax!
yay for a fabulous weekend!! red pepper hummus bread? must. try. asap.
As others said, they are ground cherries! I got them in my CSA and thought they were the fruit cherries. I popped one in my mouth and almost gagged. I do not like tomatoes!
Oh no! They didn’t taste like tomatoes at all to me… must be a texture thing for you. I’m in love with them.
Hi Elina,
I believe they are actually a combo of tomato/strawberry. My fiance and I bought some at the SOWA market last year and that’s what we were told. I was actually there on Sunday and they had tons of them again!
Leaura
http://hubpages.com/hub/Discover-the-Ground-Cherry
It may very well be a texture thing for me. I think that is why I don’t like tomatoes since I like tomato sauce, ketchup, etc. My husband ate them up though, so no waste. : )
It sounds like you had a fabulous long weekend! All of your dishes look great! I’m hooked on the Back to Nature products and I haven’t dug into my Cabot snacks yet but I can’t wait!
Those tomatoes look very interesting, I may have to venture to Copley to try some!
Chocolate + Hazelnut = Love. I would love to try those too!
My ideal weekend getaway is on the water somewhere, with some good books, some good coffee, and some good company
Looks like a really great weekend! I’m so glad you had the opportunity to relax!
I think they are called ground cherries.
OMG, those Italian candies! Yum! My family gives those and Gianduiotti for Christmas every year. They are my very favorite stocking stuffers.
I really want to make some scones, too. I have a great recipe for apple cider scones and after apple picking this weekend, I’m going to be all over those babies!
I’m a little nervous about this weekend – have a feeling there won’t be much left there. BUT, if we come back with loads of apples, I want that scone recipe!
I love Pigs Fly bread. I need to get more.
So glad you had the opportunity to unwind. It was much deserved!
I heard a podcast with the author of the happiness project earlier in the year. You can find it here if you’re interested, you can forward through the mommy stuff.
http://www.manicmommies.com/index.php/2010/03/21/podcast-the-happiness-project/
Thanks! I’ll definitely check it out
Those aren’t tomatoes–they’re gooseberries or ground cherries! So good, huh?
Yes, you’re right – they’re called ground cherries but also husk tomatoes
OMG all that food looks sooooooo good Elina- the spaghetti squash and the sandwich- yum. And I love anything Cheese : )
I love Cabot habanero cheddar! And Baci chocolate is one of my favorites. I brought back hordes from Italy but I’m so glad to find out that they’re also available here in Boston (I now buy Baci at Cardullo’s in Harvard Square)
Ooh, thanks! Good to know
Looks like you had a fantastic weekend – I am jealous that yours was long (mine was just the normal 2 days). Pictures look great!
haha–you said the bomb.
maybe one day you’ll graduate to ” da bomb”
i want tomato strawberries toooooo
your getaway — as always — looks amazing.
Hahaha, one day
I’ve never tried those back to nature crackers, but I LOVE their brand of graham crackers. They’re like the best ever, so I bet the crackers are good too!
I’ll have to check the graham crackers out then. Thanks for the recommendation!
That definitely looks like a relaxing weekend. I love having time to actually read books. I also love those Back to Nature crackers and the small serving size Cabot cheese pieces!
I’m in the middle of The Happiness Project right now and really enjoying it. My most valuable lesson learned so far? I need to get ready for bed early in the evening or I’ll end up postponing it and going to bed super late!
Glad you had such a wonderful weekend… I’m pretty sure that would be my ideal weekend, too
My my you had a good weekend! That maple scone looks soooo good!
[...] Pure relaxation – just what the doctor prescribed! [...]
Aww, you look so nice and relaxed in that photo! I’m glad you liked the microwave squash method
Thanks for the great Serious Snack review! We’re glad you liked them
We appreciate your support!
~Jacquelyn
[...] onto the really fun part. Remember the last time I mentioned Three Sisters cereals? I mentioned that the bag of Cinnamon Sweets the Company sent me disappeared before it got a chance [...]
[...] wanted something with maple syrup. Really??! Maybe he was subconsciously still thinking about those maple scones I made a while back?? I know I’ve been thinking about them ever since but I have a food-crazy [...]
[...] 3. Husk tomatoes [...]