Okay, I now know the Sunday scaries feeling that sets in before getting back into the work week. Even if it's only been a couple of weeks but now with work, I'm learning to appreciate the time off. There has been no time to do anything during the week; I find I'm half-heartedly doing most things. My attempts at multitasking mean my brain is even more all over the place than usual. I never felt a TGIF moment feel any better than I did last Friday.

Before I begin to count down to the next weekend already, I'm recapping a pretty productive few days c/o the lovely Meghan at Clean Eats Fast Feets.



Finally posted on the blog after weeks away. Just in time for Friday linkup!

Got a head start for most but a later start than usual for me in crossing some items off my Christmas gift shopping list. Friendly PSA that there are only 79 days left!

Grocery shopped at Target, Trader Joe's and Sam's Club. Not entirely sure if this is the most time or fuel efficient way to do it but I'm particular about getting select items from different places and will usually go to a handful of places to get it done.

Cleaned my apartment -- bathroom, kitchen and living areas. And yet somehow there's still clutter... I hate not having a place for everything yet.

Whilst in the cleaning mood, did a couple of loads of laundry including my sheets and towels.

Treated my friends to breakfast Saturday morning. Breakfast sandwiches are everything.


Went into downtown, which yay! is less than 30 minute drive away now, and visited one of the art museums because of their free first Saturdays admission. Beforehand, got tacos and ice cream sandwiches for lunch. Ice cream sandwiches are also everything.

Attended glow-ga (aka glow in the dark yoga)! This needs to be more of a thing. Loads of fun for sure. You should've seen our post-workout glow!


Stopped by a local art festival that brings in artists from around the nation to get my culture fix.

Made a plum and apple baked oatmeal for a late Sunday breakfast and stocked my freezer with the leftovers, among other meal prepping activities throughout the day.

Continued through this latest season of the Great British Bake Off!! Why is this show so addicting? Now I just want to bake pies, puddings and biscuits.

Questions:
Have you started gift shopping yet? 
Do you prefer going to multiple places for groceries or getting it all done at just one store?

TGIF!!! Second week of work down. I had meant to post this last Friday before heading out of town for my birthday weekend....which isn't as exciting as it sounds as it was mainly for training. But a trip is a trip! It was my second time to Chicago. I actually posted the first one on the blog oh so long ago, my second post ever.

Anywho, all that to say so far it's been a struggle to find balance in this new routine of life; when I get home from work, I find that there's no time to do anything. I haven't been reading, my apartment needs to be cleaned, phone calls to friends have been postponed, the blog has been neglected. Taking the time today to finally get to posting as well as do laundry...and clean my bathroom...and mop the floors... Time to savor the weekend.



Alongside Cora and Nicole, I'll be sharing some of the things that have been inspiring me as of late for Fab Finds Friday:

How to read more books -- For the past handful of years, I've made it a goal of mine to read 52 books. However, one thing I'm terrible at is stopping books if I'm not really into it. Appreciate that tip to read what you enjoy. Another one that resonated with me was that first tip on stop thinking there are things I'm 'supposed to be' reading. Sometimes I get trapped into thinking I have to read popular/classic books as books I'm choosing to read aren't "challenging" enough. But like all things in life, I have to focus on me and what brings me joy vs. what others are doing.

Beautifully written piece on our relationships with our bodies. Too many quotable things! Here's one that stood out:

"Part of me is convinced that to be a woman is to live in fear of being reduced to the smallest, meanest thought I’ve ever had about myself, and that’s why I tried to make my body smaller instead. I tried to beat the world to the punch, but I played right into its trap. My body found its way back. My mind is still catching up."

For a while there, I hated Dallas (and still sometimes do); but simultaneously, I felt I wasn't giving it a true chance of inspiring me. The city has grown on me only because I allowed myself to be all there. So even if it's temporary, even if it's painful, even if it's not where you thought you'd be, wherever you are, be all there.

As mentioned earlier a few weeks back, I went to a movie theater by myself for the first time. Then coincidentally came across this Buzzfeed things to do alone list, things like watching a concert or traveling.

A good read on keeping it real, comparison on Instagram and being transparent on social media from an influencers' perspective c/o Cupcakes and Cashmere

This post from The Real Life RD resonated with me -- feeling the need to eat how an non ED person would eat; almost like sometimes I'm afraid of eating 'so called healthy foods' again. Especially when I'm around friends that know about my struggles or my family. I feel almost judged for getting a salad.

"I was eating out of fear of what others might think .

And in turn, I wasn’t caring for myself"

Along similar lines of what Robyn had to say, another of Naomi's posts on eating and people pleasing.

Questions:
Do you make any reading goals?
Do you ever struggle with people pleasing when eating with others? Or even people pleasing in general?
What are you up to this weekend? 

I know I sound like a broken record here but sorry for that unexpected break again in the blogging. Really wanted to post more last week but a) my internet didn't get set up until 5 days after I moved in and b) my laptop unfortunately still continued to fail on me. Living without internet even for a few days was harder than it should have been as sad as it is to admit that. The good news is these issues were solved over the past couple of weeks along with some other adult-y things.


Went to the dentist.

Moved into my new apartment after just one little speed bump (a time scheduling misunderstanding with the movers I hired) with several trips up the staircase.

Unpacked, perhaps the worst part of moving. Or at least when you can't quite find a place for everything.

Put my KitchenAid to good use and tried out the spiralizer attachment for the first time to throw together a sweet potato and zucchini 'noodle' dish. Pictured alongside my video watching setup.

During those days sans internet, I was able to finish an entire book in a day--All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Something I hadn't in ages. Don't know if it was how quickly I read it or was feeling overly emotional but I even cried when reading, another thing I hadn't done while reading recently.

Having said that, got the internet hooked up. Yay for adulting!!!


Had my first overnight guest at my new place. My sister came over and we had a pizza night. I've been raving about our creation: TJ's whole wheat crust + chopped garlic + fresh figs + black pepper + goat cheese + a drizzle of honey. So freaking good.

Assembled my first Ikea furniture by myself after a trip to the store including a free birthday meal, which let's be real was the main reason I went there in the first place.

Did some yoga. Volunteered a bit.

Watched a movie (Ocean's Eight) by myself at the dollar theater because movies are waaaay too expensive for my life. Had never seen the an Ocean's film before and thoroughly enjoyed this one with an awesome cast!

Finally, finally, finally got a new laptop! Got it set up and all that jazz.


Tried to meal prep including:

• A vegan peach pie (pictured above!)
• Zucchini goat cheese loaf cake
• Lentil turned split pea meatballs
• Split pea soup
• No bake chocolate filled cookies
• Cashew yogurt

Went to not one, not two, but three friend's apartment parties. The first two in the same Saturday night --my introverted self was so exhausted that evening--and the last just this past weekend.

Questions:
What is your least favorite part of moving?
What books make you emotional? 
Do you have any go-to make ahead meals? Meal prepping tips?
Have you ever gone to the movies on your own? 

Continued to dogsit this little pupper for my aunt while she was out of town.

Attended a restorative yoga session on Labor Day despite the pouring rain that has unexpectedly been hitting Dallas throughout the entire week.

Posted August's Eats and Monthly Reads!

Volunteered at the animal shelter again luckily one of the days when the sun was shining.

Had a pretty productive Thursday -- got my car oil changed, attended a pilates class, sold some books to a used bookstore, picked up a few groceries...
Including a box of black figs to make this cake with goat cheese frosting. If you get a chance and get your hands on some figs before the season ends, definitely make it or at least the frosting; I'm addicted to it.

Crossing some things off for my new apartment. About time to since I'm moving in this week!!! Ahhhh!


Had an amazing triple date game night where the girl team beat the guys by a long shot.

Questions:
What did you do for yourself last week?
Have you ever tried fresh figs? They're one of my all-time favorite fruits!
What's your favorite board game? 

Happy Friday! Trying out this Fab Friday Finds thing again, Cora and Nicole's link-up to share what's been inspiring you lately.

With summer winding down, a fun interactive NYTimes analyzing the oh so catchy songs of the summer.

Another flurry of posts from the Man Repeller site:
FYI, you don't need to look good.
Some words on happiness
As a bad texter myself, this piece defending not replying spoke to me.

"The more I appreciate how much modern life expects of us, the more I believe that showing the people in our lives patience and understanding when they seemingly drop off the radar for a while should be the standard, empathetic practice."

First saw this next one on Rachel Hartley's blog and gave it a read. The problem with nutrition and health goals: health = value; ≠ goal.

With another big transition coming up in my life (hello working world in t-minus 20 days!), I'm trying to think ahead in the space, the boundaries, the margin I'll need to create for myself to stay mentally and emotionally healthy. Sort of similar to what Naomi is looking to balance right now too.

One of my goals this month is to take myself out more--preferably at least once a week--whether this be for a fancy meal, a middle of the day movie, a coffee and book date. So these tips on on solo date nights (SDNs as the author puts it) came at the right time.

Lastly, I'm currently reading Lauren Graham's--aka Lorelai on Gilmore Girls--memoir, a book that's been on my to-read list for a while and my bookclub's pick for this month.  In one of the chapters, she talks about Hollywood diet secrets and this part really stood out to be. It essentially highlights everything wrong with society's standards of health. It's a pretty lengthy passage but well worth it!

"Over the years, I’ve been told that meat is an important protein; meat is bad for you; the best way to lose weight is to eat a high-protein diet; the best way to lose weight is to eat a vegan diet; juicing is good for you; juice cleanses are pointless; someone with my blood type should eat only lamb, mutton, turkey, and rabbit, and avoid chicken, beef, ham, and pork; bacon is okay; bacon is bad for you; consuming fat helps you lose weight; all fats should be avoided or used minimally; yogurt helps your digestion; yogurt has no impact on your digestion; calcium from dairy is good for you; dairy is bad for you; gluten is no problem for people without celiac disease; everyone should be gluten-free; kale is a superfood; too much kale can actually result in a thyroid condition causing you to gain weight; and using non-natural toothpaste can cause bloating of up to five pounds. Just eating fruits and vegetables? Sure, that sounds like a good plan, as long as you aren’t sensitive to nightshades (eggplant, tomatoes, peppers), like some people are. You could probably be fine if you ate nothing but spinach all day, unless it’s the spinach that was part of the recent salmonella recall. Fruits are okay, but some fruits, like bananas, are so high in natural sugar you might as well eat a piece of cake. What’s that? You’re still eating regular, processed sugar, the kind that’s can block their effectiveness. So enjoy your new diet of berries and water, people—unless you’re allergic to strawberries, that is, as many people are! And don’t forget to also be very very very worried about GMOs! And don’t drink just any water either: tap water is obviously poison, but beware the BPAs in your bottled water too. Also, try to get the type of bottled water that addresses your imbalanced pH levels, because while you may not know it yet, most of us are too acidic and not alkaline enough! Well, there you have it! Make sense? After all, I’ve given you the secret to everything. It’s obvious what you should do now. Could it be any clearer? You’re welcome!"

What was your song of the summer? 
Have you ever taken yourself out for a date night?
What inspired you this month?

Another breakfast + book. This time a zucchini omelette stuffed with yogurt, topped with pesto, served with avocado and crunchy beet chips.




Questions:
Have you had eaten an arepa or gordita before?
How do you like your bacon? Crispy (<<< RIGHT ANSWER) or chewy? 
What are you planning to do in the last few months of the year?

• Went to the lake apparently in Oklahoma about an hour away from Dallas. Brought a picnic of foods for lunch! Carrot sticks, crackers, cheese, salami, fresh fruit, kombucha. Can it get any more summer than that?? 

• Won a couple more escape rooms, which made it three in the span of one week! Including one for my friends' combined bachelor bachelorette party.
• Joined in on the fun with my first Fab Finds Friday post! 
• Took a walk with a view of the summer sky whilst listening to a Modern Love podcast episode.
• Got my car cleaned and polished as well as my nails!

• Went to Dallas' Restaurant Week and dined on some delicious seafood dishes.
• Made these salted brown butter dark chocolate coconut cookies from Half Baked Harvest... 

• ..as well as this date sweetened ice cream after a headache of a process. After I opened it for the first time, I unfortunately discovered that the ice cream attachment doesn't fit my mini kitchenmaid mixer. Luckily, it fit my mom's older model and we were still able to enjoy homemade ice cream. Consistency is a little off but flavor is a 10/10. Not bad for a first attempt if I do say so my self. 
• Got a hair cut! 
• Attended the final musical of our summer season passes, School of Rock!! 
• Went to the wedding of aforementioned friend. AKA my 2nd wedding ever (the first being when I was a flower girl 15 years ago) and 1st adult wedding.

• Finally, just this past Saturday didn't totally suck at mini golf-ing. 

Based on how often I actually end up sharing these must-reads posts, I've decided to shift gears and change the name to monthly reads as opposed to weekly. Also linking up with Cora and Nicole for my first Fab Finds Friday!



In case you haven't heard already, JOMO is the new FOMO

How do you treat your body with appreciation rather than hatred? c/o Immaeatthat

source

Body positivity advice from Emily and crew of Cupcakes and Cashmere and Lily of Kale and Caramel

Robyn's letting go of the thin ideal in your intuitive eating journey

"Accepting that no matter your body size, you are still you and you still have to deal with the mental and emotional problems in your life no matter what your body size can be really hard. But letting go of these things allows you to actually begin living your life. It allows you to begin showing up for yourself."

Easy, quick and affordable ways for self-love for the body, home, soul and well...self.

Beautifully written essay on the power of food amidst a difficult diagnosis. Also inspiring me to make my own birthday cake this year!

Naomi's reminder that sometimes we just need to let go of control over our lives

"Not having everything figured out–not having the answers, the 360 degree view of the outcome–doesn’t equal the inability to move in the right direction.  Instead of focusing so much on the results, focus on the process. Instead of making decisions with the aim to micromanage the outcomes, do what’s right, right now."

source

In terms of kitchen inspiration, looking at making either of these no bake date and oat chocolate cookies at some point this weekend! Hope you find some sweetness in your weekend too.

Questions:
Have you ever made yourself a birthday cake? 
What are your plans for this weekend?

• Enjoying some Thai food while coincidentally watching the latest Bachelorette, which took place in Thailand for the week. You can't say that that's not meant to be...
• Finished season 1 of the Good Place! If you need a light and fluffy show, be sure to check it out! 
• As mentioned above, packed and after a handful of car loads to my parents house, I'm about a full kitchen clean and one final car load away from moving out. 
• Finally got June's eats up on the blog
• Also watched Love Never Dies, the sequel musical to Phantom of the Opera. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't actually watched the original. 
  
  

• If it isn't already evidenced by the Thai food above, definitely missed all the spicy foods while I was away. So this bowl that I threw together hit the spot. Steamed sweet potato with black beans, green salsa, corn and cauliflower.
• Went for a swim for the first (and last time) at my apartment complex. I forget how much I love the water until I'm actually in there. T'was lovely. 
• Started a 1000 piece puzzle for funzies. Far from finished. Stay tuned for updates! 

• Booked a reservation for Dallas' restaurant week towards the middle of August. 
• Went shoe shopping Saturday afternoon with my friend--the bride--and fellow bridesmaids for her wedding that's happening in under 3 weeks! Such an exciting month ahead. 
• Then hit the outlet mall for shopping for more clothes to fill my work wardrobe. Snagged some pretty good deals including this navy blue coat which I am completely in love with.

repeat to self x 10

Speaking of affirmations, The Fab Five's Jonathan Van Ness has something to say to you

You are special but you are also pretty average and that's more than okay

Word of the day = Swedish word lagom to mean just enough, which reminded me of what Brene Brown said

"For me, the opposite of scarcity is not abundance. It's enough." 

On Relationships:

Virtual communication is cool and all but there's nothing like connection with others in real life as Joyce explains
Showing more gratitude in relationships -- in my opinion, this isn't just for romantic ones but applies to all types

Good Advice:

NYTimes' laundry guide

As we've established I am a terrible decision maker. I suffer from FOBO (fear of better options). I am a maximizer. So reading this article from the NYTimes was life-changing


On Health & Wellness:

Kylie aka Immaeatthat on sitting with fullness and pleasurable overeating

When healthy habits become unhealthy and how to deal -- definitely resonated with my orthorexic past

What does eating clean even mean? A great analysis of the trendy "non-diet"

A reminder that health should not necessarily = wealth

The supposed magical thinking of weight loss

"...,your body is simply a body, and its size is simply a size. Your weight is not your happiness, your capacity for love, your capacity to be loved, your worth or your worthiness."

Fun, Random Reads

Food bloggers look back to their first posts

The process of creating a hit song: The Middle. Will never not sing along to this!

An analysis of rom coms

Lastly, cashews as the cure to anxiety?

Questions:
Do you have a favorite affirmation?
What's your best laundry tip? 
What song(s) are you into at the moment? 
Have you ever looked back at your old posts/diaries and cringed? 
Any of these resonate with you too?

This marked my first week of "freedom" after the craziness of the CPA exams. It is an absolutely weird feeling having nothing to actually do. I slept in (well, by my standards aka past 9am) for the first time in ages. I am catching up on shows without as much guilt. However, over the years, I've realized I'm the type of person who needs to be busy; if not, I get anxious. I feel unproductive. Definitely something I'm working on improving, practicing stillness and doing nothing.

Until then, here's what else I did to keep myself busy this past week c/o Meghan's Week in Review.

• Attended the book club meet-up for the month. We read or for most of us reread Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Usually not a big fan of rereading books but I hadn't picked it up since I first finished the series years ago. So I had forgotten how easy it was to read HP books. 
• Spent some time volunteering at the animal shelter. There's nothing like playing with puppies. 
• Toured even more apartments. T-minus 4 days to make a decision 😩
• Went to the Fort Worth Zoo and American Art museum. Still iffy on how I feel about zoos but overall was a good time. Favorite exhibits were probably the Australian animals and the penguins! Loved the American Art museum though! Especially this one display made of rainbow strings (see picture above). 
• Met up with a friend for brunch last Saturday and another time a couple of friends for lunch during the week. Definitely going to miss this sort of thing when we all start working full-time. Gotta enjoy these moments while I can. 
• Watched Lion King the musical!! Gorgeous sets and costumes. I couldn't help but sing along to Hakuna Matata. Perfect timing too for going to the zoo just a few days earlier. 

• Played and won Mario Kart, Call of Duty and Settlers of Catan on a double date with my sister.  Got tacos too for dinner as game fuel. 
• Posted May's recent eats. Better late than never!
• Celebrated my sister's birthday a tad early yesterday with a surprise party though she saw it coming. Obviously I'm a terrible liar. We got ramen then played a couple rounds of lazer tag.