Happy Monday and day-before-my-birthday! I kind of vanished from the blog this weekend, so I’m playing catch up today.

Saturday night we went to Osman’s for dinner to celebrate my birthday. My parents graciously watched Baby M for us. Dinner was pretty good—not our favorite—and for the sheer amount of food we got, I’d say it was definitely worth the price.

Sunday was spent at home chilling with little man. I think he’s going through another growth spurt and/or mental leap, because he was super cranky in the afternoon. Breaks my heart to hear him cry like that!

Anyway, since I missed out yesterday, I’m sharing some link love today. Later gators.

.Recipes. 

Brownie Batter Breakfast Bake via Running with Spoons

This looks so delicious—I mean, brownie batter for breakfast?!

Single-Serving Breakfast Bread Pudding via Yeah…Imma Eat That

Apparently I’m on a breakfast kick this week? Anyway, this looks delicious, and I agree: pumpkin really does lend an awesome texture to baked goods.

Brie, Bacon, and Orange Pizza with Truffle Oil via A Duck’s Kitchen

Pizza can never be wrong—especially if it has bacon!

Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Broccoli Pasta via Peas and Crayons

A creamy, seafood pasta with broccoli = healthy, right?

Maple Bourbon Bacon Dark Chocolate Bark via Nosh and Nourish

This is so wrong that it’s right. Bacon. Bourbon. Pomegranate. Chocolate, just stop it!

.Food & Nutrition.

How To Eat Clean: The Do’s and Don’ts of Healthy Clean Eating via Clean Eating Veggie Girl

Another good one from Hannah. To be honest, I’m not even a fan of the term “clean eating,” but I agree that whatever label you use, it isn’t an all-or-nothing approach and should never cause guilt.

Here’s Why Nutrition Labels Should List Added Sugar via Huffington Post

I wish our food labels contained more information like this.

.Body Image & Mental Health.

Reasons To Love Your Body via Healthy Helper

An emphatic “yes!” to all of these…

A Constructed Body via Fuel for Freedom

What resonates most from this post is that anybody can have body image issues: thin, muscular, overweight, tall, petite, athletic, etc. Build one another up, don’t tear each other down.

.Parenting. 

I Know What Causes Autism via Huffington Post

I’m lucky that—to our knowledge, at least—Baby M has no medical issues. Nevertheless, I can understand the anger, frustration, guilt, etc. a mother feels when something is “wrong” with her child. Sometimes, though, you just have to believe that ‘he is exactly the way he’s supposed to be.”

Mayim Bialik: Don’t Fall for that Similac Commercial via Kveller

Of course Similac’s bottom line is to sell their product, but the mommy wars are a bit ridiculous. What are your thoughts?