Hello!

This weekend went by way too quickly. Yesterday we had lunch, ran a few errands, and went to see a community theater’s production of “Avenue Q” while some friends watched the baby. The play was hilarious, and the singing was pretty good!

Today was spent grocery shopping, chasing after our speed-crawling baby, and resting after getting home late (for us) last night.

Here’s what I’ve been reading this past week.

.Recipes.

Pineapple Lentil Salad // The Almond Eater

This looks so refreshing for summer!

Smoky Grilled Chicken Flatbreads With Creamy Feta // How Sweet It Is

She had me at “creamy feta spread.” I love meals like this.

Slow-Roasted Golden Tomato Bruschetta // Bev Cooks

Love this take on a traditional favorite!

Greek Pizza // Cookie + Kate

Pizza is always a winner.

Soft And Chewy Chocolate Brownie Protein Bars // Running With Spoons

I’m glad I stocked up on dates again so I can make more bars/balls. Particularly ones like these.

.Health & Body.

Body Report Cards Aren’t Influencing Arkansas Teenagers // The New York Times

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I absolutely think here’s a place in schools for teaching physical fitness (remember when we took P.E. every year?!), nutrition, and general health—in fact, it’s extremely important, since many children live in food deserts, don’t get enough physical activity, or lack proper role models. However, I think this is a very slippery slope into body shaming. BMI is just one factor in determining health (did you know that most body builders are “overweight” by BMI standards?) and children and adolescents are already under so much pressure to fit in physically. Is this just one more way to cause self-esteem issues? I think that most children who are vastly overweight are aware of it—and so are their parents. The underlying issue is not awareness of one’s size—it’s figuring out why the child/teenager may not be getting the nutrition, exercise, attention, etc. he or she needs. It’s also educating why eating well and being active is important in the first place.

Life Is Too Short To Diet // Nia Shanks – Lift Like A Girl

Yes! We owe it to ourselves to treat our bodies well (if we want to live a long life), but it’s just not worth obsessing over the minutia (eating 100% clean, fitting in 5 workouts a week, etc.). Empower yourself!

Stop Waiting To Love Your Body // The Domestikated Life

Excellent post! Why don’t we just enjoy and respect our bodies for what they allow us to do? I guarantee, when I’m (hopefully) 90 and reflecting on my life, I will remember and cherish running my first race, feeling ocean waves crashing around me, birthing and nursing my beautiful son, getting my first full body massage, and many, many other things rather than how good I looked in a swimsuit.

.Fitness.

The Introvert’s Guide to Fitness Instruction // Erin’s Inside Job

Not that I have plans of becoming a fitness instructor, but I’ve often wondered how somebody like me—a quintessential introvert—does it!

Stability Ball Strength Workout // The Fitnessista

I have a stability ball that I used for like an hour during labor, and it’s just collecting dust these days. I think I’ll put it to use with this workout.

.Marriage & Parenting.

10 Things I Learned After 1,000 Days of Parenting // Haven Life Blog

Very good advice! Thankfully, some of it I’m learning well before 1,000 days.

Roen’s Birth Story // It’s Progression

I’ve only been reading Danica’s blog for a short while, but wow! I’ve read and re-read her birth story, and each time, I have tears in my eyes. What an amazing, terrifying, yet beautiful experience, and thank goodness they’re all safe, healthy, and celebrating their happy ending.

Most Parenting Advice Is Worthless. So Here’s Some Parenting Advice // Vox

More good advice.

.Life Lessons.

The Way You Do One Thing Is The Way You Do Everything // Carla Birnberg

I think there’s *something* to this statement, but I agree with Carla’s conclusion. Just because I keep a messy closet, it doesn’t mean my work life, parenting, etc. is messy. I just choose to focus my efforts where they count.

Living With Intention // A Healthy Slice of Life

I’ve been thinking along these lines lately, too. At 31, still without a real “career,” and just beginning my life as a parent, I am astounded at how quickly my life has passed my eyes. I’m trying to focus on the little things—especially as Baby M is approaching his first birthday. Wasn’t I just starting college?…getting married?…finding out I was pregnant?… Jeez.