Summer Solstice Boston Bucket List + Planet Oat

Summer solstice. When the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon and the longest day of they year. Reaching its highest point. That idea is really speaking to me right now, as I’m on the cusp of graduating and have reached a point that I previously thought was unimaginable. And with that came lots and lots and lots of hard work, and long nights of studying that felt like solstices themselves. And missing out on summer last year. So this year, in celebration of summer solstice I’m cultivating the ultimate summer bucket list. Encouraging myself to get out more and appreciate the long, warm days and nights.

In honor of 16 hours of sunlight during summer solstice, I’ve compiled a list of 16 things I want to do locally this summer. 16 realistic, mini adventures to get out of my apartment and comfort zone and appreciate the splendor that is Boston. I’ve lived here for nearly 3 years now and still have so much to do and discover! There’s a mix of activity and relaxation – baking, hiking, reading, restaurants, and exercising. All of which can be done with anyone and on a budget.

And to get the most out of the long days and nights that summer brings, I’ll be packing a few snacks along the way. Snacks and meals that are flavorful and satiating to fuel the activities, packed with high quality ingredients and nutrients. I love packing oat bakes because they’re easily munchable and keep me full and fueled for hours to maintain the energy for activities like: hiking, canoeing, strolling, picnicking, dancing, etc. And lots of other snacks like nuts, seeds, berries, sliced veggies, popcorn, you name it! Recipes and bucket list below!

Peaches and cream oat bake:

• 2 cups oats
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup oat flour
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 cups Planet Oat vanilla oatmilk
• 3 eggs
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• Pinch of sea salt
• 2 peaches, diced

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Combine oats, almond flour, oat flour, coconut, baking powder, baking soda in one bowl.
3. Combine Planet Oat oat milk, eggs, vanilla extract, maple syrup,  sea salt, cinnamon in another bowl.
4. Mix wet and dry ingredients together.
5. Fold in diced peaches.
6. Bake for 35-40min

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Assorted snacks:

• Planet Oat dark chocolate oat milk (so creamy, so refreshing, perfect after a long hike)
• Berries
• Cherries
• Popcorn
• Assorted nuts: cashews, almonds, pistachios
• Peeled and sliced veggies with hummus

Summer 2019 Boston Bucket List

1. Have a picnic with all these yummy recipes using my favorite dairy alternative – Planet Oat Oatmilk!
2. Hike and picnic at World’s End in Hingham during golden hour – amazing views of the Boston skyline, small hikes, amazing picnic spots. I LOVE this place!!!
3. Take kayaks on the Charles River! I’ve been wanting to get out on the river and see the skyline from a different view for awhile and so determined to prioritize it this weekend! Going to the Boston Harbor Islands would also be amazing.
4. Take a paddle board yoga class in the Boston harbor.
5. Sweat more!! Seaport sweat is still running their completely free classes. I love Blair’s yoga (Balance with B), Kick it by Eliza, and Booty by Brabants classes.
6. Read more books!! I’ve got my eye on Where the Crawdads Sing, Education, and Little Fires Everywhere.
7. Get a bit outside the city to the Berkshires and hike Mount Greylock.
8. Hit up some local beaches!! Like Good Harbor in Gloucester and Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-sea
9. Eats lots and lots of lobster rolls at the Raw Bar on Cape Cod.
10. Catch an outdoor movie at the MFA. They have lots of opportunities to do this – see here.
11. Drink wine outside with my friends at City Winery on the Greenway.
12. Host a dinner party for my grandparents in my new apartment.
13. Dance more!! I love classes at Urbanity Dance. They have open classes for adults that go for $15 ($12 for students). Levi’s warm-up is my ABSOLUTE favorite. Tuesdays 7:30-9pm.
14. Visit the Isabella Gardner Stewart Museum.
15. More Harvard Steps! I used to get up super early and walk the Harvard Stadium steps while listening to podcasts. It’s so quiet in the morning and an absolutely free workout!
16. Get better at bread baking!! Finally secured a dutch oven and can’t wait to put it to good use!! I’ve got my eye on this one.
17. Check out Walden Pond in Concord, MA! Only about 25 minutes outside the city. This is the place Thoreau did some of his famous writing. It’s so calm and serene.
18. Some restaurants I want to check out:
    1. Juliet in Somerville
    2. Pammy’s in Cambridge
    3. Fox and the Knife in South Boston

Any other things I’ve got to do or try? Let me know and I’ll add them to the list!

A massive thank you to Planet Oat for sponsoring this post. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity and am honored to represent this brand! In fact, I’m probably sitting on my couch sipping on some dark chocolate oatmilk as you read this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!