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?