Happy Sunday!

After several beautiful, cool, fall-like days, today is kind of dreary. We’re staying around the house prepping lots of frozen meals to have on hand for when Baby M arrives. When I say “we,” I mean “Mark.”

Yesterday we had some yummy lunch at Cousin Vinny’s (pizza) in Daphne and stumbled upon the annual Jubilee Fest. There was some nice wooden artwork, but most of the stuff there wasn’t our taste. We ran a few errands and then saw the movie, “This Is Where I Leave You.” I enjoyed it!

Anyway, today I’m trying to relax so I make it through my last scheduled work week before I go on maternity leave. To say I’m excited would be the understatement of the year.

Here’s a bit of weekend reading for you, though.

 .Recipes.

Bacon Cinnamon Rolls via How Sweet It Is

I’m in awe of this recipe. I’ve never made homemade cinnamon rolls (all about the Pilsbury, though!) and they seem so complicated and time-consuming, but…BACON.

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie via Averie Cooks

It’s that “pumpkin ALL the things” time of year. But seriously, you can’t go wrong with both ice cream and pumpkin.

Butternut Squash, Apple, & Pear Crisp via Edible Perspective

So many fall flavors…in one dish! Yum.

Roasted Garlic and Potato Beer Cheese Soup via The Beeroness

This sounds like the perfect, indulgent fall comfort meal. I love soup, especially this time of year!

Sweet Pulled Pork Taco Pizza with Tomatillo Avocado Ranch via Carlsbad Cravings

I’m not generally a fan of nontraditional pizzas, but this sounds tasty.

.Food & Nutrition.

Food Addiction vs. Eating Addiction: Why A Single World Makes All The Difference via Huffington Post

This is a difficult one because we have to eat food in order to live. While the term “eating addiction” makes more sense than “food addiction,” it’s true that processed food is formulated to meet that “sweet spot” when scientists combine the perfect amount of salt, sugar, and fat (nevermind the evolutionary reasons behind why we seek out carbohydrates, fat, etc.). Of course, then there are people who have an eating addiction (which is just one of many ways eating disorders are manifested) so our relationship to food is equally important as the foods we choose to eat.

To Stop Picky Eaters From Tossing The Broccoli, Give Them Choices via NPR

With limited budgets, offering a lot of choices doesn’t seem that possible. Plus, the eating of vegetables begins at home (though I realize that many people eating school lunches are low-income and don’t have that kind of home life). Regardless of whether it’s in schools, homes, restaurants, or hospitals, we waste far too much food.

  .Health & Wellness.

10 Things I Wish Every Woman Knew About Health via Mind Body Green

This is a good list…

.Body Image & Mental Health.

Covering Up With The Hijab May Aid Women’s Body Image via NPR

I meant to share this last week when I first read it. I think there’s a good point to be made about how women who challenge society’s “conventional” view of beauty tend to have higher self-esteem and more respect for their bodies, but I think any causal tie to the hijab is jumping to conclusions. I’m glad the article mentions that these “results” are unique to Britain and may not be the same in places where a full burqa is required or prohibited. It’s interesting, though, and I’m curious whether other “less conventional” communities (the Amish, for example) have similar increased body image.

Why Emotional Eating Is Often A Cry For Pleasure via Mind Body Green

I think there’s some truth to this. I know sometimes when I’m stressed and simply needing down time or a minute to relax and process whatever is on my mind, I turn to food or candy. After the fact, though, I usually don’t feel any better until I address what really is bothering me.

 .Fitness.

4 Great Stretches To Losen Up Your Hamstrings via Mind Body Green

I need to make these a daily practice; my hamstrings are always tight!

.Pregnancy & Parenting.

10 Tips for Balancing Exercise With A New Baby via Carrots N Cake

These are great tips! I will certainly keep them in mind for the next few months (after my recovery, of course)—and I especially love the idea of taking family walks (involving Iggy and Mark!) so we all get some fresh air and exercise. I may not get back to Bikram or Barre as early as I’d like to (due to time and cost), but I have a feeling there will be a lot of dancing around with Baby M and impromptu “workouts” around the house. Babies make excellent weights, haha.