This is my Saturday weekly newsletter, with my selection of 7 weeknight meals + 3 Summer salads for the upcoming week (6/16/24 - 6/22/24) + a life update at the bottom (beautiful Summer hiking season in Colorado).

DAY 1: Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi in a Creamy Garlic and Smoked Paprika Sauce

(20 minutes, one pan MEATLESS MAIN or SIDE)

DAY 2: SUMMER Chicken Pasta Salad with Prosciutto (or Bacon), Spinach, Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Peaches

(or apricots, nectarines, or cherries!)

DAY 3: 20-Minute One-Pan Cilantro-Lime Shrimp​

(Serve it with rice, tacos, enchiladas, and pasta. Or, in shrimp bowls with rice, beans, and veggies!)

DAY 4: The Best Pesto Salmon with Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, and Pine Nuts​

(goes great over pasta or rice)

DAY 5: One-Pot Chicken Thighs with Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Rice​

DAY 6: Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spinach & Marinara Sauce ​

(One-Pot, 30-Minute Meal)

DAY 7: Mexican Street Corn Black Bean Chicken Bake with Cotija (or Feta) Cheese​

(30 Minutes, One-Pan)

SALAD 1: Strawberry & Blackberry Spinach Salad with Pecans, Feta, Prosciutto (or Bacon) and Balsamic Dressing​

SALAD 2: Asparagus Tomato Salad with Burrata Cheese (or Fresh Mozzarella) and Pine Nuts​

(you can boil asparagus, grill it, or roast it in the oven)

SALAD 3: Apple Spinach Salad with Pecans, dried Cranberries, Goat Cheese, and Maple-Lime Mustard Dressing​

(or Honey-Lime or Lemon Mustard Dressing)

LIFE UPDATE

I live in the Colorado mountains and am currently enjoying the summer hiking season (in between publishing recipes). There’s a trail near my condo that I’ve hiked four times this week! As you can see in the photo, there’s still snow on the mountaintops in June. Wherever you are, I hope you also spend lots of time outdoors, enjoying the warm weather and pleasant temperatures. Do you hike in the Summer like I do?

I live at nearly 9,000 feet (about 2,743 meters) above sea level. At this elevation, spring and summer arrive late, so the trees right now are a fresh green, wildflowers are just beginning to bloom, and rivers are overflowing with water from the melting snow on the mountaintops. When I hike this trail, I gain 1,000 feet in elevation over 1.3 miles, reaching 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) at the top, as shown in the photo. Here are more views from my daily hike:

June is that magical time when the snow starts melting at the higher elevations around here, filling the river to the brim. The river is overflowing, making it the perfect time for fun water activities. You’ll see locals and tourists alike floating down the river on inflatable kayaks, paddleboards, and more. Everyone's taking advantage of the high waters and enjoying the season to the fullest!

As you can see behind me, there’s still snow on the mountaintops, and it’s melting away, raising the water levels and causing the rivers to overflow their banks:

The wildflowers are in full bloom now, and I love this time of year! Nature is really putting on a show. Check out these photos of wildflowers I snapped during my hikes this week! Aren't they amazing?

Dandelion flowers are also everywhere! Next week, I plan to hit some new hikes and trails, including one with a huge waterfall roaring and raging right now, thanks to the June snowmelt. So stay tuned—it's going to be epic!

I'd love to hear from you!

If you try any of these recipes, I would love your feedback in the comments section for each recipe on my website. Please do not respond to this e-mail (I might miss it!). If you have questions, feedback, or any other concerns, please use the comments section for a particular recipe on JuliasAlbum.com or leave a message on my ABOUT page. I always check the comments shared on my website. If you would like to share a photo of what you made, tag me #juliasalbum or @juliasalbumblog on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliasalbumblog/​

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• Start saving your favorites today! Did you see my 10 most popular recipes in May 2024? You might find some favorites right there!

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