Have you ever done yard work from sun up to sun down for 2 days straight? It sounds so lame to say that 2 days of yard work made me the most sore I’ve ever been in my entire life, but it’s true.

It’s just all of the repetitive movements that your body isn’t used to – lifting, pulling, pushing, bending, kneeling, hauling, and repeat. Your back and feet scream to stop but you push on because you just want to finish.

We’ve done more than our fair share of yard work and house renovations over the past few years but this weekend wins for the most exhausting project to date. Trying to organically landscape your yard is no joke. After spending hours on the lawn we reset a large brick retaining wall [it was improperly installed before we bought the house] and then cleared, re-graded, laid weed paper, and mulched about 600sqft of open space in the back yard that’s shaded by a gigantic pine tree. It doesn’t sound like much but for two people to try and tackle in two days it was a whole lot.

While our bodies were exhausted we could see so much progress that we just kept going. And on Sunday evening came the best part. Our neighbors, a dad and his two kids [6+10], had been checking in on us all day. They were in and out of the house going to the farmers market, swimming, etc. and they kept coming over to see our progress. When they got home from their last activity of the day it was about 6:30pm. This was the point where we were starting to haul mulch from the street to the furthest point in our back yard and also the point where we were ready to pass out in the dirt.

They came over one last time to check on us but this time I could hear the kids at the front of the house saying, “Dad, go get the wheelbarrow! And the rake! Let’s help them!” And for the next hour and a half they helped us finish. The dad said they insisted on helping when they got home. These kids totally lifted our energy and they worked so hard! I was impressed at their determination to help us finish and also so incredibly thankful for it. They didn’t care that they hadn’t eaten dinner yet or about getting to bed, they just wanted to come help.

We raked the last pile of mulch, high fived the kids, slowly trucked inside to shower off the layers of dirt caked on our bodies, and then went out for a margarita and Mexican to celebrate.

It was such a good feeling to finish a huge project like that and the best part is you can see a huge difference when you look out into the yard. Definitely worth the soreness.

So how does a weekend of yard work translate into homemade cereal? Well, it doesn’t really. But I was incredibly ravenous the entire weekend and ate multiple bowls of popped amaranth to help keep me going. While you might think this looks like a bowl full of fluff it’s surprisingly satiating.

A half cup of raw amaranth packs 13 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber, 340 calories, 40% daily iron, 15% daily calcium, and 60% daily magnesium.

I usually pop about 1/3 cup raw for one serving and then pile on the toppings.

I know I’ve shown you this a few times before but the refresher is always nice. It’s something I love having on hand in the fridge for a quick breakfast, lunch, or snack. What’s cool is that you can make a large batch and keep it in the refrigerator for months without it going stale.

I’m sharing updated details on how to pop amaranth over on my Craftsy page today. It takes a handful of trials to get the hang of but once you have the right heat setting you should be on your way to making homemade cereal in minutes!

Be sure and check it out!

Hope you have a great week!

Ashley

p.s. Don’t forget today’s the last day to enter to win a copy of Jessica’s brand new cookbook, Seriously Delish! Plus, you do not want to miss her Chewy Granola Bar recipe on that post!

Let’s get right down to business today.

Why?

Because I’m slightly busy getting ready for a trip to Portland tomorrow.

For what?

To shoot Mama Pea’s second cookbook!

For how long?

A full week!

Clothing, camera equipment, and random photography props, are currently strewn about the house. Does anyone else like to make a to-do list with 584 things on it the day before they go out of town?

That would be me.

One thing I did today? Made 4 new creations to share with you lovely people.

Inspired by Tom Haverfod and his hilarious food nick names. Please tell me you watch Parks and Rec!!

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It’s been far too long since my last bowl of popped amaranth. Surprisingly filling, and a cinch to make. Well, once you figure out the proper heat setting for your stove, it’s a cinch. It varies quite a bit but if your stove is hot enough the amaranth should pop within seconds.