Why, oh why, is the weekend over already?

Here on the Gulf Coast, we couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather! Although quite warm, it was sunny and breezy, perfect for completing the NAMI Walk through campus Saturday morning. Iggy completed the entire 3.1 miles—quite impressive for a miniature dachshund (Although he did tear up his sweet little puppy paw pads pretty badly; I feel like the worst dog-mother!)

After the walk, we drove to Perdido Key to visit some friends and enjoy an absolutely perfect beach day. I was too busy enjoying the sun, breeze, and freezing water to take any pictures, but just trust me when I say it couldn’t have been better!

Sunday I took an easy 3-mile walk (with a few running spurts mixed in) throughout the neighborhood and relaxed the remainder of the day. Before I go, here’s some weekend reading.

.Recipes.

Creamy Ranch and Cheese Bread Bowl Dip via Averie Cooks

I’ll admit it, I was (and still am) a chips & dip fanatic at parties and gatherings. There’s something undeniably comforting—even if it’s awful for you. This looks like just the perfect way to enjoy creamy, cheesy goodness and a whole lot of carbs!

5 Ingredient Mango Salsa via Gimme Some Oven

So simple, but so delicious-looking! I really need to take a trip to Sam’s with my mom so I can buy a giant box of champagne mangoes.

Quinoa Fruit Salad with Toasted Coconut Flakes via Eating Bird Food

I’ve mentioned before how I’ve tried to love quinoa, but whatever it is, we don’t get along that well. I’ve had some success with breakfast quinoa and stir-fry, but more often than not, I end up with a bland grainy mess. Using it as a base for fruit salad, however, sounds like a good way to change that.

White Pizza Quinoa Casserole via Edible Perspective

Wait—another quinoa recipe? This looks too good to be true, and if the quinoa + pizza toppings don’t wow me, then clearly our relationship just isn’t meant to be.

Cheddar Buttermilk Waffle BLTs via Joy The Baker

Just another reason I need a waffle iron—and to make a BLT as soon as possible!

.Reads.

Got a Food-Obsessed Kid? Research Warns: Don’t Restrict Them via Raise Healthy Eaters

All good points. Teaching restriction early in life will just set children up for eating disorders during later years. Take a more creative approach to designating meal and snack times, and teach by example.

The No. 1 Myth About Yoga (And How Learning the Truth Can Change Your Life) via Greatist

This is oh-so-true. Yoga is about setting an intention, breathing your way through, clearing your mind, and trying your hardest; or more simply, being there. I’m not physically flexible at all, but I have learned how to be mentally flexible and benefited in countless ways from my practice (more reason to get back into it).

How to Stick to Your Workouts When You’re Dealing with Morning Sickness via Carrots ‘N Cake

Although I struggled with fatigue rather than morning sickness, I found her experience to be similar to mine. Despite my daily walks, I spent a lot of my first trimester on the couch, and I think Baby M and I are fine for it. When I did work out, I found my energy levels to increase, so that was always a good motivation to at least try (when my body wasn’t screaming at me to rest).

Got Pregnancy Brain? Science Shows It’s Good for Baby Bonding via What to Expect

This makes me feel a little better for forgetting this month’s car payment!

How to Love & Accept Your Body Unconditionally via Mind Body Green

Social conditioning is a very real force in our self-perceptions, but I firmly believe that repeating mantras and just telling yourself something simple like, “I love my body” or “I am beautiful” can work wonders on self-esteem.