I hope everybody is having a great weekend!

Yesterday, Mark and I didn’t even leave the house. We did accomplish a lot of work in the nursery, however, by hanging the decorations above the crib and dresser and working on some paintings. It already looks great, and I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Today we’re grocery shopping, buying diapers (they qualify as tax exempt this weekend for the sales tax holiday) for stock, and taking Iggy out for a nice walk.

I promise next week I’ll have some actual food-related posts (and not just another pregnancy update), but until then, here’s some weekend reading.

 .Recipes.

Sour Cherry Fro-Yo Ice Pops via Take a Mega Bite

I haven’t bought any cherries this year despite my undying affection for them (they’re always so expensive!), but these look so refreshing that I may revisit that conundrum (if I can find the sour version, that is).

Sweet Corn, Zucchini, & Fresh Mozzarella Pizza via How Sweet It Is

Everything, I mean everything, about this screams “eat me!”

Whipped Strawberry Cream Cheese and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches via Peas & Crayons

I’m totally making these for our baby shower—except I’m thinking blueberries instead of strawberries for boy! I love how light cucumber sandwiches are, and a little fruit makes everything better.

Cucumber Ribbon Salad with Peppers, Radishes, & Thai Dressing via Kalyn’s Kitchen

This looks so refreshing; perfect for summer!

Peach Bourbon Ice Cream Sandwiches with Lemon Cornbread Cookies via Edible Perspective

I’m speechless. Peach. Bourbon. Ice cream. Cookies. Yum!

.Health & Wellness.

Slow Walkers May Be On Their Way to Dementia via NPR

This may be true with some people, but I think others just naturally move more slowly. As for me, I’m a speedy walker (even while pregnant), so I guess this is one less thing for me to worry about!

.Food & Nutrition.

Fruits and Vegetables Are Trying To Kill You via Nautilus

Fascinating stuff, especially since I’ve always heard that fruits/veggies that “struggle” so to speak (surviving a hard freeze, for example) are more nutritionally dense and beneficial when consumed. Regardless of how fruits and vegetables help my body, I’m going to continue eating them like a mad woman. Particularly fruit, because it’s just so darn delicious!

What The Government Got Wrong About Nutrition—And How It Can Fix It via Huffington Post

Why must it be so complicated? I do think the plate is much better than the pyramid, and I agree that we need to reverse the demonization of fat. The best advice is to eat as close to the source as possible (less processed food, although there’s a time and a place for packaged cupcakes, crackers, and potato chips). In the wise words of Michael Pollen: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

.Body Image & Mental Health.

The Case Against The ‘F’ Word via Huffington Post

I tend to agree with the author’s perspective. On one hand, I can be extremely self-deprecating (it’s how I laugh at myself and it’s just part of my humor), but on the other, I try to avoid using negative words to describe myself. If we cut ourselves down and draw attention to our flaws, that only opens the door for others to do the same. Then again, if we’re comfortable with said flaws, then maybe it won’t hurt as badly when others point the fingers and we can react assertively and with confidence? I don’t know…

.Fitness.

How Fit Are You, Really? via Huffington Post

Hmm…maybe I’m not as fit as I thought! Those last few tests sound killer.

New Research: Big Benefits From Running 5 Miles A Week via Runner’s World

I can’t wait to start running (jogging + fast walking, who are we kidding?) again postpartum. I’m dreaming of the crisp, cool fall days where I will take little Baby M out in his stroller. It’s going to be glorious, and I know my body (+ mental health) will truly benefit.

.Pregnancy & Parenting.

Realities Of The Third Trimester via Mommy’s Me Time

Ha! I’m just at the beginning of the 3^rd trimester, but already I can vouch for most of these. Pregnancy is no joke (although it’s often pretty darn hilarious).

‘Put Your Boobs Away, This Is Amsterdam!’ via Huffington Post

I’m planning to nurse, but I still don’t know how I feel about doing it in public. I don’t think it’s offensive by any means, but I’m also a rather modest and self-conscious person who generally appreciates my privacy (then again, I’ve never been at my wit’s end with a hungry, screaming infant). Regardless, I agree that it’s important to respect other cultures and that it’s also impossible to know where to draw the line with respect. Somebody will always make a crude joke or act offended when a woman is nursing at a museum or other public venue, but is it worth inconveniencing that woman and her hungry baby because of one person’s misguided beliefs (especially when there are scantily clad women—and men—adorning subway walls, storefronts, etc)? I think not.