Hello and welcome to the weekend. We’ve got a little break in the humidity and two totally free days ahead, which is rare in July. A little garden cleanup, a sunrise gym sesh, a baseball game or two, and lots of cooking outside is on deck. We celebrated my guy’s bday this week and the celebratory feel is still flowing. I think I mentioned this a couple weeks ago, but for the pineapple upside down cake request I wound up using Sally’s recipe and it went off without a hitch.
Hope you’re having a nice summer, all things considered. Take care out there! Love ya, mean it.
5 Things I’m Reading:
- 8 Ways to Embrace “Deep Casual Hosting” (So You’ll Actually Do It) via The Double Shift on Substack
- The Surprising Cost of Our Quest to Defy Aging via Atmos
- I’m a Climate Activist. I’m Not Giving Up Just Yet. via The New York Times (gift link)
- Pamela Anderson Forever via The Atlantic
- The Delicious, Life-Saving Joys of the ‘Trad Trans’ Lifestyle via Eater
5 Things I’m Enjoying:
- I picked about 12 zucchinis from the garden this week so I’ve been enjoying this vegetable with pretty much every meal lol. Lots of simple sautés, grilling, air frying, pasta etc. More inspo below in the seasonal recipe section if you’re in the same boat.
- My guy went away on a golf trip for 5 or so days recently, and I accidentally didn’t eat gluten the whole time he was gone. My KP and tendency to go red in the face diminished considerably by the time he got back, so I’ve been trying to keep it going. This one is filed under enjoying but also kind of a bummer haha.
- Been drinking this chocolate cherry smoothie every morning for about a month now.
- Loved Andy Samberg on Good Hang with Amy Poehler. Also clocked that Beverly Glenn-Copeland shirt immediately–a man of good taste, we love to see it!
- We want to renovate one of our bathrooms this fall (it’s a blush and gold 80’s time capsule currently), so perusing loads of inspiration on that front.
5 Questions:
- Have you experienced your cravings/palate change since you started lifting?
Yeah a bit! I do crave simpler food in general I would say–like almost a food for fuel mentality? My appetite is about the same, but I just naturally gravitate towards whole foods and things that I know will help me feel my best. This is a habit I’ve built up over time! And I do still love my treats, but I tend to enjoy them prior to a rest day lately. Wish I could eat pizza/anything fried and then crush a workout the next morning, but it’s just not in the cards at this stage of my life 🥲. Waking up with a lot of energy and overall zest for life is a top priority, so I try to eat in a supportive way. - Do you have a beet smoothie recipe?
Yes, the best one is in my cookbook and also available here. The combo on paper sounds like an April fool’s joke, but I promise it’s good. - Struggling with plant-based breakfast…quick, easy, out the door kind of breakfast.
I recommend overnight oats of which there are a million recipes online! Make them in a jar the night before with whatever flavor/seasonal fruit you’re craving, pack a spoon, and you’re good to go. Lately I stir protein powder into mine to make them extra satiating. Peach, vanilla, cinnamon, and almond butter is a fave flavor combo for me personally. Also, not to brag but my vegan breakfast cookie recipe is a true grab and go option with a large fan base! - Any vitamins or supplements you like to regularly add to your diet?
Not too many. Vitamin D since I live in Canada, Omega 3 on the recommendation of my doctor, Magnesium glycinate at nighttime, plus protein powder and creatine for a little workout assistance. - Do you really only drink hot coffee?!?!
Like 95% of the time. It especially has to be hot in the morning so that I can slowly savor it. Iced coffee is a “chug and rally” kind of thing for me. I’ll get one if I’m flagging in the afternoon and I have an important task to get through or some unexpected socializing on the horizon hehe.
6 Seasonal Recipes:
- Creamy Olive and Arugula Pesto Pasta with Zucchini
- Lazy Chopped Vegan Enchiladas in a Skillet
- Zucchini Involtini with Almond Ricotta
- Shaved Zucchini Salad with Plums, Herbs & Almonds
- Zucchini Baked Oatmeal Cups with Chocolate
- Moist Vegan Zucchini Bread with Chocolate & Walnuts
Hey, I wonder if you’ve talked about your “journey” to your current diet at all? I think it might be helpful for people “transitioning” (Such lofty words here!) Did you struggle with making sure you met your nutritional needs / how did you end up with a balanced approach that’s doable everyday & leaves you feeling energised and good? (Or maybe you have always eaten this way?) Preaching is not your style – thank goodness – but a little insight can make the process easier to follow, I think. Thank you!
I am obsessed with your chocolate cherry smoothie! I’ve made it almost every day for breakfast since you posted it. I took a three week break on vacation this summer and started right back up when I got home:)
*Loved* the trad trans article; thanks as always for sharing.
And solidarity with your gluten experiments. I just realized that going gluten free seems to help my rosacea and am a.) glad to be able to find one more thing that helps, b.) bummed about figuring out what that means for my leave of bread baking. If you have found any recipes that help you ditch that ho hum feeling, I’d be interested in seeing them!
Tell me your garden is overflowing with zucchini without telling me lol
Love all the recipes as usual! Thank you for sharing all the goodness
What do you think is a good, reliable calculator to figure out the nutritional information? I’m really trying to get more calcium and protein especially in my diet and I need to keep an eye on sugars too ( showing my age lol! )
Love seeing your bountiful zucchini!! I can eat it at every meal too! Can’t wait to try your recipes!!
Hey, will definitely try those vegan breakfast cookies. My wt lifting is going slowly but increasing. Thanks.
The Atmos article was a good reality check for me. Thanks!