After a long, hot, and tiring day in New Orleans yesterday, I almost skipped putting this post together, but then that would negate the whole “weekly” thing.

We had a lot of fun yesterday, although I did have a cranky pregnant lady moment whenever the hostess at Stanley, our usual lunch spot, supposedly texted us when our table was ready, though we never got the text. We expected a wait, and were perfectly fine walking up by the river, getting my non-alcoholic Bloody Mary at Muriel’s (just as good as the regular version!), and people, but when she told us it would be an additional 20 minutes and couldn’t prove she sent the text, I just got really impatient (I know stuff like that happens all the time, and she couldn’t do much else than what she did). Oh well, our meal was tasty, and we enjoyed the rest of the day when we met with some friends to walk through Audubon Park.

Our walk was cut short when the rain moved in (I got soaked, but it was actually fun; I love summer storms like that, so long as lightning and thunder aren’t involved!), but a delicious tiramisu and coffee at Brocato’s made up for it. So did Bud’s Broiler on the way home.

Today was spent cleaning and doing some stuff around the house (hanging paintings & shelves in the nursery!). Tonight the hubs is cooking fillets, homemade mashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner. Yum!

Here are some good reads for the rest of your Sunday. Enjoy, and have a great week!

.Recipes.

Banana Bread Cookie Sandwiches with Cream Cheese Greek Yogurt via Imma Eat That

These sound delicious. Because who doesn’t love cookies?

Blackberry Chocolate Chip Crumble via Love & Olive Oil

Oh, wow. This looks like the perfect dessert! I just love crumbles/crisps/whatever you call them.

Pesto Squash Noodles and Spaghetti via Cookie + Kate

I love how fresh and summery those burst tomatoes look! I’ve made zucchini noodles a couple of times, but they always left me wanting more. Mixing the “zoodles” with whole grain spaghetti sounds perfect.

Ultimate Chocolate Macaroons via Cook It Up Paleo

I don’t care if these are paleo, vegan, or any label you want to put on them; they’re full of chocolate and coconut and that’s enough for me!

Cream Cheese-Filled Pumpkin Bread via Averie Cooks

Nope, it’s never too early in the year for pumpkin. One time a coworker shared some pumpkin roll that was essentially pumpkin bread with a cream cheese filling, and I’ve never tried to recreate it, despite how delicious it was. This filled version looks fantastic (and better suited for my kitchen skills).

.Health & Wellness.

What Makes Us Fat: Is It Eating Too Much Or Moving Too Little? Via NPR

It’s definitely not one or the other. Sure, the quality of calories we consume today is vastly different than what we consumed decades ago, but the fact that we spend hours a day at desks is just as bad, if not worse, for our health (in my clearly non-medical opinion). This is why I try to move around at least hourly! It’s absurdly hot right now, but I’m so grateful I’m able to move around throughout much of the day, even if it’s just taking from my car and office building in the mornings and afternoons.

10 Ways to Recognize Orthorexia via New York Magazine

I don’t think enough attention is paid to this eating disorder, which, if left unchecked, could be every bit as dangerous as anorexia or bulimia.

.Food & Nutrition.

What I Learned After Taking a Homeless Mother Grocery Shopping via Babble

This really opens your eyes to how we take simple things, like filling a grocery cart with whatever looks good in the moment, for granted. It’s shameful how pre-packaged garbage stretches somebody’s food stamps or grocery budget much further than fresh fruits and vegetables, and I admire this woman for trying to bring awareness to the situation.

.Body Image & Mental Health.

Cultivating Happiness via The Lunchbox Diaries

A great post! I’ve learned lately that happiness isn’t something you chase, but something you create each and every day.

.Fitness.

A Do-Anywhere, Full Body Resistance Band Workout via Greatist

I really need to buy a resistance band (and some of the other gizmos we use at barre class). I love workouts that don’t require fancy equipment or a gym membership!