Happy Sunday and happy Daylight Savings Time. I didn’t much mind losing an hour of sleep last night given that I was in bed reading at 11p last night (I’m reading The Paris Apartment) and slept until 8a this morning. I am very much looking forward to the extended daylight. I’ve noticed a significant shift in my evening energy/mood just in the last few weeks that it’s been staying light until 6:30p or so instead of dark at 5:30p. I am pumped for daylight until 7:30 or 8 now! It’s so nice to get some extra time to spend outside hanging out, playing in the backyard and to taking the dogs on evening walks.
I am also loving all the signs of spring. These Saucer Magnolias are always among some of the first trees to bloom and their pink flowers are so stunning. Spring is gorgeous in Charlotte – so many bight colors and vivid shades of green – I can’t wait!
I have a few more weekend favorites that are a little all over the place but fun to share. Here they are!
WISTERIA PURPLE ALIGNS
Speaking of spring colors, I am all about my new Wisteria Purple Aligns. First, Aligns are my favorite legging of all time. Second, purple is my favorite color. Third, these Aligns are a little thicker than some of my others and feel double lined. They hug in all the right places and give a little extra coverage.
ALL THE MANGOS + FRESH FRUIT
I’ve been on a mango kick lately. I got a handful of Kent Mangos at ALDI for just $0.85 each and they are so juicy and sweet. I’ve been eating them every day. I love them on their own or with strawberries and bananas.
DINNER AT PARA
I had dinner at PARA last week and had a great time! It’s a new restaurant in the heart of Southend Charlotte. They specialize in globally-inspired small plates and inventive cocktails. It was slammed on a Tuesday night with no open tables and a full bar. The service and food were exceptional for a restaurant that’s only been open for a month or two. The crab rangoon is not to be missed!
SEED PROBIOTICS
The team at Seed reached out and offered to send me their probiotic to sample. I have been on the hunt for a new probiotic and a quick browse of their website left me eager to give Seed a try. It’s a probiotic/prebiotic daily supplement with a probiotic inner capsule and prebiotic outer capsule. The formula contains 24 clinically and scientifically studied, broad spectrum strains to support systemic health. Also, the packaging and materials are designed to be more environmentally friendly. Your welcome kit includes a refillable glass jar and a free travel vial. Monthly refills arrive in compostable biofilm.
Will report back after my 30-day trial!
A MUST TRY COOKIE RECIPE
If there’s only one thing that you take away from this round up of favorite things, let it be this cookie recipe. These are peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and they are to die for. I got the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addition. They are honestly one of the top five cookie recipes that I have ever baked at home. They are thick, chewy and gooey in the center. If you’re a peanut butter lover, you’ll go crazy for these. My tip is to use a mix of regular chocolate chips and chocolate chunks. The melty chunk pieces are where it’s at. Note, I cut the recipe in half and still got over 20 cookies…the count has dwindled significantly over the weekend.
BULLETPROOF COFFEE CREAMER
I am typically a black coffee with collagen drinker but lately I’ve been enjoying this Bulletproof Creamer in my coffee. Here’s what I like about it:
- Gives my coffee a rich, creamy taste while still being able to *taste* the coffee.
- Shelf-stable and long lasting.
- NO ADDED SUGARS or artificial flavors! This is a huge must for me.
- The grass-fed butter and MCT oil work with the natural caffeine in the coffee to provide sustained energy.
- The MCT oil powers your brain and body with fat-burning fuel.
I think this creamer is a great way to give your coffee a little extra oomph and staying power. I especially love to use it if I’m making an afternoon latte with my Nespresso.
Note, you’ll definitely want to use a frother with the creamer!
FINISHING MY PUZZLE
I spent two hours finishing this puzzle while I listened to an audiobook on Saturday afternoon. This puzzle was a great challenge and definitely the hardest 500-piece puzzle that I’ve ever worked. Now…to take it all apart and work the reversible side.
MY YOGA PRACTICE
One last thing that I loved this weekend was getting back on my yoga mat. I took classes at Charlotte Yoga on Friday evening and Sunday morning and was finally able to practice (with modifications) pain-free. It felt so amazing to breathe, sweat and stretch. I’ll be sharing the full experience of my back injury in a post this upcoming week. It was a very humbling experience and I’m grateful to be feeling better.
QUESTIONS
How do you drink your coffee? What are your favorite things to add?
How did you sweat this weekend?
What fruit are you loving most right now?
I always love testing new cookies recipes, so I will happily add this one to the list!
Coffee: with a touch of cream, oat, or dairy cream.
Sweat: A couple of barbell strength classes. Working on increasing my loads!
Fruit: Oranges! Getting lots of really good Cara-Cara oranges right now. (Also love them as they share my name 🙂
I remember seeing the pic of that puzzle the first time you posted it and thought it looked crazy challenging — soooo much repetitive sky/sand. Love the idea of puzzling while listening to an audio book. Does Finn like puzzles? We’ve been super into puzzles with the boys and Ryder in particular is obsessed with them!!