These monthly round-up posts are always one of my favorite things to write. It’s fun to be able to talk about recipes and podcasts and random things I love all in one place.

Hopefully you enjoy it too!

Random Love

Speaking of random things I haven’t been able to find any good way to segue into this, but I LOVE my toothpaste. Yes, having a favorite toothpaste is a little weird and also I thought you should know.

I know. It’s one of those weird adulting things, like figuring out you have a favorite stove burner (front left), enjoying Friday night trips to Costco, and realizing that the album you love so much was actually released 20 years ago!

I also loved this list of 17 unique, funny and downright weird things that show you're getting older. Anyone else still in favor of ankle socks or am I alone on this one?

These protein bars. Yeah they’re processed and I know bars aren’t the best thing to rely on, but they’re also super freaking convenient and it’s a rare occasion that my bag isn’t stocked with some kind of emergency snack. I have no affiliation with these guys (or anything I share for the most part), they’re just my favorite snack of the moment. Still my household is divided on them. Juniper and Mark vote thumbs down, me and Indi are digging the rice crispy treat vibes. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

Exploring

We’ve snuck in quite a few camping and backpacking trips this Summer but this one was my favorite! A short paddle across the lake to stay at one of the boat-in camp sites felt like we were a world away but we were actually setting up camp less than an hour after leaving the house.

Also will someone please tell my husband to do more with his photography? I’m biased and think all of his pictures and videos are amazing, because seriously, how insane is that picture?!

Making

It’s officially ‘back to school’ time which means instead of random snack lunches, we’re back to the routine of filling lunch boxes every night.

We keep things pretty simple most of the time and I’m definitely not opposed to sending the same things on repeat, but we do try to keep some convenient options on hand so it’s really easy to just mix and match: fresh and frozen berries, nut butters, hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Chomp sticks, Simple Mills crackers, avocados, edamame, whole grain tortillas, hummus, carrot sticks, homemade mini muffins.

I like to keep a few screenshots of simple lunch ideas on my phone for inspo (Mama knows Nutrition always has great ideas), and I really like this list idea to help kids pack their own lunches.

These blender pancakes 🥞 are one of my favorite simple and delicious ways to start the day. Plus they’re packed with protein to keep everyone feeling full and energized all morning long.

We’re using up the surplus of zucchini. This list of zucchini recipes from The New York Times is reminiscent of Forest Gump’s thoughts on shrimp and i’m not mad about it.

We’ve been super into these bowls lately too. I smother the salmon with a mixture of veganaise and sriracha and bake for 12-15 min at 350 degrees, and like to add a scoop of firefly kimchi and some chopped cashews on top for a little crunch. It all comes together quickly and is perfect for these busy back to school nights.

Reading

“Never waste your midlife crisis.”

Austin Kleon shared this thought from a podcast interview with John Higgs and maybe it’s just the stage of life I’m in right now, but I really love it.

“You should never waste your midlife crisis. You can do great things with a midlife crisis. If you just waste it on like a car, it’s just a lack of imagination. Mine was the decision to write books and attempt to make a living there.

The options seemed to be: If I went for it, I’d be penniless, and if I didn’t go for it, I’d be bitter. I’d be bitter going forward. Penniless certainly beats bitter. So I made the decision. And that was ten years ago! And I’m still going.”

Laughter is good medicine, and the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are a great way to get your daily dose. Enjoy!

Listening to

Huberman Lab is always a good listen but I particularly enjoyed these 3 episodes recently:

• Dr. Martha Beck: Access your Best Self with Mind-Body Practices, Belief Testing & Imagination The perfect day exercise is SO good!

• Dr. Layne Norton: Tools for Nutrition & Fitness I always appreciate a non-dogmatic approach

• Dr. Stacy Sims: Female Specific Exercise & Nutrition for Health, performance & Longevity More research and information that is women specific is so needed!

Parting Words

“It's tough to be good at something you're not interested in. It's nearly impossible to be great at something you're not obsessed with.” Shane Parrish

James Clear said something along the same lines: “In many cases, the real talent is being obsessed with the thing. What are you willing to focus on so wholeheartedly that you are happy to ignore nearly everything else?”

xx,

Ashley