Happy Sunday, friends.

This weekend was absolutely gorgeous. Saturday we slept late, went to lunch at Panini Pete’s in Fairhope, walked along the pier (and came face to face with a heron), and did a whole lot of baby shopping.

I think we’ve gone a bit overboard, because Baby M’s wardrobe is now significantly larger than mine! At least we got a lot of good deals, including this $12 Baby Bjorn at a consignment shop. (Sorry my head looks enormous from the camera angle!)

Sunday, we slept late again (taking advantage while we can!), and I drove to the fitness center to do a little swimming. HOLY CANNOLI. Swimming is hard! I’ve never been a good swimmer (never took lessons, never went to the pool that frequently as a child), but after one lap of regular old swimming, I was out of breath like an emphysema patient! I swam for a good 30 minutes, alternating back stroke, breast stroke, and just kind of swimming on my back using my legs only, but I have a newfound respect for competitive swimmers!

Oh, and I almost forgot. Friday evening, I received my first official Mother’s Day present from Mark’s Aunt and Uncle: a Cuisinart ice cream maker and 2 ice cream starter kits from Williams & Sonoma. Best gift ever for a pregnant woman! I can’t wait to make all sorts of frozen treats to share on the blog (if they last long enough for photographs, that is).

Before I go, I have some links to share. In honor of Cinco de Mayo tomorrow, there’s a margarita recipe down there. I’ll just gaze longingly at them and imbibe with my eyes until I can have them again.

.Recipes.

Pistachio Hot Fudge Cupcakes via How Sweet It Is

Sweet Baby Jesus these look amazing! Adding gelato = GENIUS.

Springtime Strawberry Lime Mango Crisp via Oh She Glows

Oh, my, I’m obsessed with strawberries and mango right now, and crisps are the kind of dessert you can never have too much of. I can’t wait to try this! (And what a beautiful tribute to her mother, too.)

Crockpot Cuban Nachos with Lighter Nacho Cheese Sauce via Iowa Girl Eats

ALL. THAT. CHEESE. These look awesome!

Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos via Le Crème de la Crumb

I can’t remember the last time I had a taquito, but these look so delicious. I really need to start using the slow-cooker again, too!

Grapefruit Margarita via See Salt

I got a little bored with the video, but this margarita looks and sounds so refreshing. I was suddenly hit with a red grapefruit craving at the grocery Saturday, so of course I picked one up. I’ll just eat mine, but you all can drink one for me, ok?

.Reads.

Against the grain: Proposed FDA rule has beer-makers foaming via High Country News

I’m all about food safety, but this new proposal seems like it’s going overboard. I know for a fact (after my interview with Back Forty Beer representatives) that brewers and farmers tend to have great relationships. While preventing cross-contamination is important, this seems like an unnecessary step against something that’s tremendously eco-friendly and beneficial to local communities.

Mom’s Diet Right Before Pregnancy Can Alter Baby’s Genes via NPR

The study of epigenetics fascinates me, and I think there’s some merit to this. I just hope the over-abundance of king cake I ate in those first few weeks of (unknown) pregnancy don’t do too much damage! 🙂

How To Never Get Hangry Again via Huffington Post

I shared an article about the trouble of being “hangry” a couple weeks back, and this one

76 Genius Ways To Use Coconut Oil in Your Everyday Life via Greatist

I use coconut oil to moisturize my face, calm fly-aways or give my hair extra shine, as a cuticle oil or hand lotion, and as a lip balm. I also cook and bake with it. I was aware of a lot of these uses, but some are new to me. Next time those pesky mosquitoes attack, I’ll have to try a dab of coconut oil to soothe the bite.

Oil Pulling 10: The What, Why, and How via Running with Spoons

I’ve only recently heard about oil pulling (even though it’s been around for thousands of years), and while I’m not sure if pregnancy is the time to start (question for the doctor this Thursday, though I could see how it might help with the typical gum sensitivity most pregnant women, including myself, experience), I do want to give it a try. Amanda gives a good breakdown of how to do it and the benefits she’s noticed personally.

Why I Don’t Use The Term “Food P–n” via Gimme Some Oven

This post is a little older, but I like how it made me think. I’ve never been offended with the term, “food p–n,” per se, but it does kind of creep me out a little. I get why it originated and sometimes think we (myself) go overboard with our photos of and affection for food (but food is awesome!), so I do think we could get more creative with our word choices (I like #foodlove and #foodcrush personally).

Ending the glorification of BUSY via CarlaBrinburg.com

Doubtlessly my life is about to become much busier with a baby on the way, but I love how this post put my thoughts into words! I get so annoyed when I hear people talk about how busy they are as if it’s some kind of long-coveted achievement. The best parts of my day are usually when I take a 20-minute walk outside in the fresh air and do nothing but listen to my music, admire my surroundings, or just think. Are there days where I’m busier than others? You bet. Do I sometimes get annoyed if Mark and I spend our weekends lounging around instead of taking advantage of our free hours to do something? Of course. But at the end of the day—or week—decompression time, MY time, is irreplaceable, and I have no problem admitting that, some days, I do absolutely nothing.

14 Habits of People With A Healthy Relationship To Food via Huffington Post

I think this list pretty much sums it up; while sometimes I slip and chide myself for splurging, I think my relationship with food is healthy. I realize that balance is key, healthy foods make me feel better, the occasional fast food burger and fries won’t kill me, and that food is a beautiful and necessary thing. While I may think about food more than most, I’ll attribute that to food blogging.

12 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Went Plant-Based via MindBodyGreen

I may not eat a vegan diet, but I think a lot of these tips apply to those who simply want to diversify what they eat and add more vegetables and non-animal foods into their diet.

And for a little humor…

This Is What It’s Like When You Shave Your Legs via Huffington Post

Yep, pretty much. It’s going to be even better when I’m hugely pregnant.