Hello there! I hope everybody has been having a lovely weekend. Ours was quite nice: we tried a new pizza place Friday night, saw August: Osage County (so, so good; the dialogue and acting were incredible) and had dinner with my parents on Saturday, and are going to grocery shop and relax today. And now it’s time for some weekend reading.

.Recipes.

White Chocolate Chunk Lavender Ice Cream via How Sweet It Is

Immediately after seeing this, I said for the bazillionth time, “I need an ice cream maker.” Lavender is so delicate, and I agree with the lavender => plant => vegetable logic here!

“Brain Power” Blueberry, Avocado, and Spinach Salad via Give Me Some Oven

Apart from being absolutely gorgeous (eat the rainbow!), this salad sounds delicious. I might wait until blueberries are more in season, though.

Banana Bread Muffin Tops via Oh She Glows

Muffin tops are the best part of the muffin anyway—and since these are naturally sweetened by bananas and dates, what’s not to love?

Quinoa Tabbouleh via Peas and Crayons

I simply adore tabbouleh when dining out, but I’ve yet to purchase bulgur and attempt it myself. Since I’m still not fully on the quinoa boat, this seems like a great way to continue warming up to it.

Tom Kha Gai Butternut Squash Soup via Minimalist Baker

Butternut squash is one of my favorite winter vegetables, and I love the coconut + spice of tom kah gai. Putting them together is absolute genius.

.Reads.

The Trouble With Bright Girls via Psychology Today

So, this article is from 2011, but I saw it posted on Facebook and found it to be full of truth. I think a big part of my lack of self-confidence into adulthood (particularly post-college) is due to the type of feedback and praise I received as a child and the idea that ability is innate.

When Pinterest Pisses Me Off via Snack Therapy

Carly offers some good perspective on the so-called “fitspiration” and “thinspiratin” (aka, garbage) circulating the Web these days.

Words Are Spells via A Dash of Meg

As much as I’d like to say otherwise, words are powerful. Let’s all be more mindful in what we say to one another—and cast positive spells, so to speak.

Why Thin Women Should Care About Fat Activism via Huffington Post

Can we just agree to stop equating somebody’s worth with their weight? None of us is defined by our anatomy or body type, and we all suffer when somebody or some group of people is body-shamed.

The Intersection of Nutrition and Mental Health via Kath Eats Real Food

I think almost everybody has experienced emotional eating at some point in their lives. While I don’t find myself bingeing on the regular because of anxiety, anger, or something else, I think this post offers some good advice, particularly on mindfulness.

Cash Or Credit? How Kids Pay For School Lunch Matters For Health via NPR

Though I don’t have children, I found this interesting. It seems logical that cash vs. credit would influence how much a child purchased, but that it influences their actual choices is intriguing.

Aerie’s Unretouched Ads ‘Challenge Supermodel Standards’ For Young Women via Huffington Post

This is awesome. I love their underwear anyhow (so comfy!), but this makes me want to support them even more. (Of course, these models pictured don’t need retouching in the first place, but still, it sends a more positive message to impressionable teens and young women.)