3 Things I'm Loving This Week

We are half-way through summer--closer to school starting back than ever. It's always a strange time--looking forward to school starting back but trying not to be consumed with plans for the fall, struggling to enjoy summer while the upcoming demands begin to loom larger. 

This week I'm pinning lots of ideas for my classroom. 

My list of things that I'm loving this week will give you an idea of what I've been up to lately (aka not much!)

1. Ms. Myers Hand Soap--Honeysuckle

This stuff smells SO good. I want to wash my hands all the time. I keep this in my kitchen and it motivates me to wash my hands after cracking eggs and handling chicken. Previously I would have just used the dawn.

2. Chocolate Chip Cookie LaraBars

OMG! After Whole30 I didn't think I would want a LaraBar again. I keep them around for emergency snacks but they definitely lost their luster...UNTIL I discovered this flavor. Sunday night we had a girls group and everyone brought dessert. I had this and it was just as satisfying without all the refined sugar!

3. Periodic Table Tervis

I saw this Tervis while we were in Pigeon Forge. Adam agreed that I needed it so I ordered it as soon as I got home. The wonderful thing about ordering stuff MADE IN AMERICA is that, unlike my vacuum cleaner part that is still on the slow-boat from China, it arrives very quickly. I have been enjoying my Tervis for the past week--staying super hydrated. I especially love the straw lid.

I'd love to hear what you're loving this week!

3 Things I'm Loving this Week

1. Serial--the podcast
The podcast covers the story of a man who has served 15 years of his life sentence. Many, including the reporter, have begun to question his conviction. Each episode allows you to discover something new about the case along with her. We listened to all twelve episodes while on the road this weekend. Spoiler alert--the ending leaves a bit to be desired. I'm excited to begin listening to Undisclosed--the podcast, which follows the story as it continues to unfold.

2. Time with friends--whether a spontaneous trip to Sprouts with a friend or a girls weekend away, summer is the perfect time to spend time quality time with friends without all the stress of school and other plans getting in the way.

3. Crock-pot chocolate chip cookie bars--these are amazing! There is something about preparing something a few hours ahead of time that I love. I prefer to get most of my food prep done an hour or so before dinner and then all I have to do is put it in the oven, on the stove, etc. This recipe provides a way for me to make dessert ahead of time. It is also perfect because it keeps the cookies nice and warm should you need to transport them to a friends house for dinner. Food, Faith and Fitness did a great job on this one!

3 Things That I'm Lovin' This Week

1. Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

This girl is my new friend! I've laughed so much with her over the past two weeks as I've breezed through all the episodes in the archives while painting, cleaning, working out...These are great for those tasks you'd love to do with a friend but just don't have one handy at the moment!

At the end of every show she asks her guests "What are three things that you're loving right now??"...thus prompting this post :-)

2. Plantain Chips
Prior to paleo, I was a nacho expert. I judged restaurants, even non-Mexican ones, on their nachos. Jim N' Nicks for example...fantastic! However, I've been left wanting in the salty, crunchy department as of late, until I discovered these babies. Last night I had them alongside cashew cheese sauce and today paired them with salsa and guacamole. While hard to find around Birmingham, Sprouts has them in the bulk section from time to time and Walmart usually has some near the produce with their nuts and granola bars.

3. The library
At the beginning of the summer I tried to check out a book only to find that my library card had expired and had not been active since 2013--thus proving that the stress level in my life must have gotten out of hand sometime between then and now because WHY would anyone wait that long to go to the library? Now that I'm back in the saddle, I'm in the library at least once a week. The great thing about the Jefferson County Library is that you can go online and request any book in their arsenal, and they will deliver it to your local library within a few days. Many of their titles are also available for digital download. So far I've read

• The Tipping Point
• The Good Girl

Currently working on The Best Yes and The Glass Castle.

Have a great week! I'd love to hear what you're loving this week!