summer

2019 Amazon Plus-Size Swimsuit Haul + Straight Size Options

Leave a Comment

Amazon has become one of the leading online retailers of just about everything. You can find me buying everything from books to food to clothes to… let’s be real basically everything. But what about swimsuits? Do those super low price swimsuits really hold up? Do they look like the photo? And how do they actually fit?

After spending far too many hours screening reviews of swimsuits I chose four to order. A retro inspired swimsuit, a popular off the shoulder style, a swim dress and a high waisted bikini. You can find an in depth review of these swimsuits in my ‘plus size swimsuit’ highlight. 

Each of these swimsuits were $30 or less and I received them within 2-5 days of ordering. What I love about this is that they are inexpensive and I don’t actually have to leave my house to go shopping; I’m a mom of three small children there is no time for clothes shopping.

This ruffle one piece came highly recommended by a number of readers and it rates high via Amazon reviews. The material and quality of the swimsuit was good and was exactly how reviews represented it. This swimsuit would be great paired with a pair of cutoff shorts or a skirt to go from the beach to lunch. My only concern is that the ruffle top while cute might cause a bit of a wardrobe malfunction in the pool; I just imagine it would end up getting pushed up and look like a giant ruffle ring around you. Also if you have a long torso you may find it to be a bit short for you and I would suggest trying the high waisted two piece option instead. Overall I think this swimsuit is a win and it comes in a variety of colors and prints to fit your personal style. Rating: 7/10

Plus Size Ruffle One Piece | Straight Size Ruffle One Piece | Plus Size Ruffle Two Piece | Straight Size Ruffle Two Piece

Retro swimsuits are always a favorite of mine because they never go out of style and they generally always flatter any figure. With this retro suit I loved the ruching and the neckline. My only issue was once again I ran into the problem of it being too short for my long torso. I ended up going up a size in hopes that it would provide me with some length but it was still too short and too big in the boobs for me. Once again if you also struggle with having a long torso this looks like a great two piece option. Overall rating: 7/10

Plus Size Vintage Swimsuit | Straight Size Vintage Swimsuit | Straight/Plus Size Vintage Two Piece

I saved my favorite swimsuit for last (and completely ignored the swim dress because it was not worth sharing). This high waisted two piece was by far the best fitting, most comfortable and functional of all the swimsuits I tried. It is fun and playful, a little sexy but also provides a good amount of coverage. I went up a size in it based on reviews but ended up finding it to be a bit big for me so I would say stick to your normal size. Quality, fit, color and price give this swimsuit an overall rating of 9/10. 

Plus Size High Waisted Bikini | Straight Size Option | Straight/Plus Size One Piece Option 

While inexpensive, hassle free shopping is great you honestly get what you pay for. These swimsuits had a few flaws when it came to fit, the sizing is a little hard to determine but overall I was happy with my purchases (except the swim dress that was a disaster.)

Shop This Post

This post is NOT sponsored however it does contains affiliate links. Purchases you make through these links will help fund the work I do here at no extra cost to you. Thank you sincerely for your constant support.

Recipe: Summer Vegetable Ragout

Leave a Comment

This recipe takes advantage of summers bounty and is an easy and nutritious one pot meal. I actually made this the night I went into labor with our little girl and it was perfectly filling to help sustain me through labor. Serve up with a green salad and some crusty bread.
Serves 4

1 lb whole small new potatoes or large new potatoes quartered, rinsed
1 medium red onion, diced
1 medium zucchini, sliced into quarter inch half moons
1 medium summer squash, sliced into quarter inch half moons
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas, rinsed
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

Heat a large saute pan with a lid over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup of water the potatoes and onions. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
Add the zucchini, summer squash, garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper, toss together. Return cover, cook 5 minutes.
Add the chickpeas and tomatoes, toss everything together.
Cover and  cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Garden Cocktail

3 Comments

On Friday night Neil and I went for our traditional post midwife date night dinner. This week we decided to dine at Kismet Kitchens in Montpelier, a restaurant we used to love to visit for brunch back when we lived in Montpelier. We had an amazing dinner of Veg Carpacio and Vegan Tempeh Club Burgers and Neil tried their Garden Martini (fresh squeezed vegetable juice and gin with a salt and pepper rim).

Well we absolutely loved our meals and Neil loved his drink so much so that we decided recreate our meal at home for Saturday night dinner. Since any good date night in starts with a cocktail we decided to make our own version of the Garden Martini.

Makes 2 Cocktails

Juice Mix:

  • 1 bunch parsley
  • 2-3 large tomatoes
  • 3 celery stalks
  • 4 kale stalks (stems and leaves)
  • 1/4 jalapeno

Juice everything above in your juicer and then comes cocktail time!

  • 2 1/2 oz vodka or gin
  • 1/2 oz dry vermouth
  • wedges of lemon
  • salt and pepper for the rim of the glass
  • celery sticks and jalapeno slices, for garnish

Alcoholic Version: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add about 1 cup of the veggie juice, the vodka or gin, vermouth and a squeeze of lemon. Shake and then using the strainer pour into a salt and pepper rimmed, ice filled glass and garnish with celery sticks, jalapeno slices and a wedge of lemon.

Non-alcoholic Version:  If you don’t drink alcohol or are pregnant like me you would fill a shaker with ice add 1 and 1/2 cups of the veggie juice a squeeze of lemon and shake.  Then pour into a salt and pepper rimmed glass that is filled with ice and garnish with a celery stick, wedge of lemon and slice of jalapeno.

 

Recipe(s) of the Week: Memorial Day Round-Up

1 Comment

This upcoming weekend is a big weekend for Memorial Day BBQ’s and Parties so I have rounded up a few of my favorite recipes that would work really well for this weekend!

What are your plans for the weekend? Neil is running  the two person relay of  the Vermont City Marathon and then we are going to spend Monday celebrating our anniversary (a few days early) with massages at The Essex.

 

Recipe of the Week: Maple Lemonade

9 Comments

I don’t know about you but when the weather gets hot I just want a nice refreshing drink, specifically a lemon or limeade. Today it was a high of 85F and my craving for lemonade was sky high. Luckily last night I picked up a bunch of lemons in anticipation for the hot weather and made myself a pitcher of lemonade, but not just any lemonade Maple Lemonade!

The inspiration behind this lemonade is a little spot that Neil and I used to go to when we lived in Montpelier called Langdon Street (unfortunately it is closed now) where we would get Maple Lemonade.  Since I have never found it out anywhere else I decided that I would just have to make our own.

Maple Lemonade

  • 1 1/3 cups fresh squeezed Lemon Juice, strained
  • 1/2 cup Grade B Maple Syrup
  • 4 cups Water
  • Ice for serving

Combine the lemon juice and maple syrup in a pitcher and whisk to combine. Add the water and stir again.  Fill a class with ice and pour the lemonade over.  Enjoy!

Summer Thirst Quencher: Mighty Leaf Tea

34 Comments

Over a twitter discussion over my absolute favorite tea- Mighty Leaf’s Orange Dulce I came into contact with Mighty Leaf about doing a review of their new iced teas. They sent me their four new iced tea flavors to try and let me tell you they don’t disappoint. These teas are just like Mighty Leaf’s small tea bags in giant form; so not only do they make delicious tea but what isn’t fun about a giant tea bag?

The  Mighty Leaf Iced Teas flavors:

o   Ginger Peach Iced Tea:  A blissful and lightly sweet black iced tea infused with sun-swelled peaches and delicate ginger.

o   Calypso Mango Iced Tea:  A sweet and cooling black iced tea with an indulging blend of South Indian black tea leaves, luscious mango, and tropical fruit.

o   Organic Black Iced Tea:  A flavorful black iced tea made of refreshingly rich and smooth South Indian organic black tea leaves hand-picked on the dewy slopes of the Nilgiri Mountains.

o   Sunburst Green Iced Tea:  A cool and vibrant iced green tea that delivers mountain-grown Chinese green tea leaves  brightened with the crisp taste of ripe oranges and sweet citrus. The lowest in caffeine among all four flavors.

Iced tea is my favorite summer beverage  however I don’t often make it at home because unless I have loose tea it is no fun to try to make tea from a handful of tiny tea bags.  Well Mighty Leaf makes things so much easier by having their giant iced tea bags.  All you have to do is steep the tea bag and then add ice. It’s never been easier to make iced tea at home.

I really enjoyed all of these flavors and once we started making them we haven’t been able to stop. My favorite is the Sunburst Green Iced Tea because it is fresh and crisp and perfect on a hot day.  Neil’s favorite is the Organic Black Iced Tea it is wonderfully dark and refreshing.

Summer might be coming to an end but it’s never too late to enjoy a nice cold crisp glass of iced tea.  

*CLOSED* GIVEAWAYS:  Mighty Leaf is offering a giveaway of their Summer Brewing Kit.  One person can receive a box of each of their new teas, as well as the Bodum Iced Tea Pitcher which makes fresh iced tea in minutes.  The kit’s total value is approximately $60.  US Residents only. Giveaway open until August 25th at 4pm EST

Mandatory: What is your favorite summer drink?

*Additional Entries* Leave a separate  comment for each

  • Follow Mighty Leaf on Twitter
  • Tweet “I want to win @cookveganlover @MightyLeaf giveaway http://wp.me/pFVWo-2vj”
  • Like my NEW Cook.Vegan.Lover. Facebook page
  • Like Mighty Leaf on Facebook
Winner:

DISCOUNT:  Mighty Leaf is offering CVL readers a 15 percent site-wide discount on www.mightyleaf.com.   The unique discount code is: coupon code: summertea15

 

Guest Post: VeganLisa’s Sweet Lemon Fig Poppyseed Bars

3 Comments

In just a couple of weeks we will be welcoming summer. It is a short-lived season in Toronto, so I do all that I can to savour every second. Over the next three months, I have local farmers markets to visit, picnics to plan, and patios to patron.

With the change of seasons most people find their appetites turn away from the hearty, warming meals of winter to lighter, fresher fare. I consume a high-raw, vegan diet throughout the year but the bounty of local produce during the summer makes eating raw easy and incredibly delicious. Nothing saves a sweltering afternoon like a big juicy slice of watermelon. Salads, smoothies, and fruit slushies, sure say summer to me.

When the sun is shining I want nothing more than to be outdoors. Eating raw foods, means there is no need to heat up your house by turning on the oven. Putting together a salad, or blending up a smoothie takes a couple of minutes, leaving you more time to spend strolling through the city. Plus, raw foods are easier for our bodies to digest and provide plenty of energy to fuel a fantastic summer full of dancing at outdoor festivals, bike riding by the water and swimming at sunset.

Here’s a great recipe for an energy-packed snack bar to keep you full and satisfied as you tackle your 2011 Summer to-do list.

Sweet Lemon Fig Poppyseed Bars

  • 1 cup of rolled oats (the old fashioned not the instant kind)*
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted (approximately 10)
  • 2 TBSP lemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 dried Turkish figs
  • 1 TBSP poppyseeds

In a food processor, pulse the oats, cashews and salt until finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process until well combined. Press into a parchment-lined 8X8 pan. Cut into 12 bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Thank you to Lindsay for inviting me to share a recipe with all of you. I hope your summers are full of fun and fantastic food. Well, if you’re a regular reader of Lindsay’s blog I have not doubt you’re already eating very well! If you’d like more raw food inspiration I’d love for you to stop by my blog veganculinarycrusade.com.

xo VeganLisa

*It can be hard to find raw rolled oats. They are usually steamed during processing. If you’d prefer to consume only raw ingredients replace the oats with 3/4 cup of almonds.