Hi fam! How are ya?
Sweet baby Max just turned one. Can you EVEN?! Note to self: don't schedule a party that day (or days) after baby vaccines...
How's life feeling over here in hummus land, you ask? Truthfully, it feels like everything is in transition, still. I'm officially a year into being a mom, which feels so wild and wonderful. I'm grateful for my little family, my friendships, my health, and this space. And for the super hot coffee and pan au chocolate my bestie just dropped at our doorstep.
Little tidbits I've been reminding myself of lately: Life is a transition. Every day is a new day. I can do hard things. I am a human evolving.
Not feeling as inspired or motivated doesn't mean those feelings are absent, they're just less accessible at times. A bit buried, perhaps. Thank you, wise therapist!
Onto the good eats I mentioned last month that I'm hoping to continue to do these monthly as they foster the connection with this community that I crave. I love when you leave comments, so please do! Fill me in on your life, what you're reading, watching, eating, loving. I appreciate you!
Lovely Meals
My new chocolate peanut butter energy bites are everything.
My favorite buddha bowls! I added tofu that I pressed then tossed with a splash of olive oil, soy sauce, cornstarch, and garlic powder and baked at 375F for about 30 minutes.
I steamed the veggies in the instant pot (I have this steamer basket I put them in) with a cup of water for 1 minute and they were perfect!
My favorite pad kee mao from Bamboo Thai. And some red wine from the wine shop we love to walk to!
I love that it's a fact we eat out every Friday and Saturday night. I struggle with decision fatigue and not having to decide if I'm cooking those days is actual magic for my brain.
Trying to change things up, even if it's just a little. I made us goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes omelettes with butter + jam wheat toast for brunch. It felt like diner vibes and it was stellar.
I think my snickerdoodles make the list of recipes I'm most proud of!
Also these salty buckwheat cookies from Bon Apetit...honestly incredible. Do something different!! You can use the leftover buckwheat flour to make pancakes.
My immune boosting soup! It's soooo comforting. I'm already craving it again.
Butternut and goat cheese pasta with peas. Mmmmmm, cozy.
Mid-day walk with Max where I stop for a coffee and ginger molasses cookie from Pistacia Vera. What a treat.
The best tuna in Trader Joe's yummy whole wheat pitas with Grillo's pickles and salt and vinegar kettle chips. Alllll the texture and flavor notes.
Can't get enough of my enchiladas with avocado and tortilla chips. Lately I add shard cheddar on top. This is a frequent flyer meal for us for sure.
Not a meal, just two fun new grains I never have in the pantry. I'm excited to make something yummy with them!
One night we ordered pizza from Donatos and Jet's. I meannnnnnnn.
10 Things I'm Loving Lately
- The show that's keeping me on my toes: the newest season of Ozark! Just when you think Wendy can't get any more annoying... but Ruth is just everything.
- This quote that moved me: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." --Anais Nin
- This song I'm listening to on repeat: "Second Nature" by Bon Iver from "Don't Look Up."
- These insanely comfy, lightweight joggers changed my life. Is that dramatic? I have them in two colors and they fit like a glove. I'd recommend sizing up (mine are S).
- Just got this winter coat (on big sale!) in the vegan black leather and I'm in love with how long it is and how warm it keeps me. It runs very large so I would size down at least one size if not more. It also comes in regular black!
- The coziest lounge set! Investing in some cute and comfy loungewear may just be the best thing I did last month.
- My favorite chocolate plant protein powder ever closed down and is now back up and running. It's the protein we've used at Alchemy since 2014 and it's seriously the best!
- I've been waving my hair with crimp wand and I'm in love. I was craving a fresh new way to style my hair and this look fits the bill! I used it to do my hair in the first pic!
- We played Sequence with friends when we spend the weekend in Hocking Hills and it was an absolute blast.
- Super cozy and affordable PJs for Max since this guy is growing like a weed (we got 18 months).
XOXO!
Mia Brondum says
Hey I love your 'what I ate wednesday or lately' so please keep posting!
Alexis Joseph says
Yay! I post them now every month or so. There was a march one!
Kali says
Feel ya on the decision fatigue! My husband and I wrote down a bunch of meal ideas on index cards and keep them in a little box in the kitchen. Then when we’re meal planning or just can’t decide, we’ll pick a card. Some cards are recipe specific but some are more ideas than a recipe. It’s helped a lot!
Alexis Joseph says
This is the best idea ever! Totally trying this. Thanks, Kali!
elizabeth says
Hi there!
I've seen you mention that Skoop chocolate plant protein is your favorite.
It sounds really good, although expensive. Looking forward to trying it.
What makes it better than something like Vega or other plant protein powders?
Is it the taste or texture or something else?
Thank you
Alexis Joseph says
Hey! To me, the flavor is exceptional. It makes everything taste like chocolate cake. It also doesn't have that overpowering stevia taste. It's organic and a smaller company, so that's why it's a bit pricier!
elizabeth says
Thank you!
Sounds great! I must try
I guess the wholesale powder must come in a bigger package?
elizabeth says
What do you think about the vanilla flavor?
Alexis Joseph says
It's good! The choclate is my fave though 🙂 Wholesale still comes in the tubs, we just get wholesale pricing.
elizabeth says
It would be great if they could switch to a compostable package.
Ashley says
That vegan leather ambercrombie coat is the cutest! Currently hibernating during a blizzard and I'm realizing warm outerwear is a must to make it through to Spring! Loving the variety of eats as always - lots of Asian and Mexican inspired meals over here as well. Currently reading as many Colleen Hoover novels as I can find. Reading fiction has been meditative for me and her books truly hook me, ever since you recommended Verity a few years ago! Oh, and Max looks like a mini Jeff - so handsome 😉
Alexis Joseph says
I LOVE HER!!! Hahah isn't that hilarious? Such a mini me.
Stephanie says
Two favorite orzo recipes
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014688-baked-orzo-with-artichokes-and-peas (I use vegetable broth instead of milk for the bechamel)
https://cg.greenchef.com/recipes/salmon-with-basil-pistou-604641b80aa1fb23c10da375 (I skip the dates, too sweet for us)
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmm sounds SO good!! Thanks, Stephanie!
Nina says
Happy birthday to Max! My sweet daughter Maggie turned 1 last week also. In awe of how fast the year went!
Alexis Joseph says
Awwww happy birthday Maggie!
Val says
Ooh and sharing this orzo salad recipe here in case anyone wants to try! SO, SO good!!
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/tri-colore-orzo-recipe-1948079
Alexis Joseph says
GET IN MY BELLY!
Val says
You know how much I love these posts of yours always! So many things to say haha, here goes:
1) (Most important for sure) Bill and I are equally proud of you for those snickerdoodles! INSANE recipe!
2) I'm so glad you also have major decision fatigue when it comes to figuring out dinner. It feels like mine has gotten worse over the past 2 years and it's just so nice to hear even you feel that, too!
3) Hear ya fully on feels not always being accessible... different seasons of life that require so many different things from us, can't be all of it all the time and let's just embrace that and lean into what does work for this season (talking to myself here lol).
4) Loving Ozark also (everyone in this show has such a vibe but can we just give it up for Ruth and Darlene... the intensity!) and... Billions is back, too, whoop!
Alexis Joseph says
Hahah I love that Bill is such a fan, that is the BEST! Snickerdoodles for life. And I agree...decision fatigue has definitely gotten worse through the pandemic. I haven't watched Billions in forever eeeee!
Victoria says
Oh my gosh! I squealed when I saw the pizza photo. I mean the pizza looks yum, especially the Jet's, but it's the cupboard and drawer handles that really caught my eye. I just this morning ordered 59 silver T bar handles for our kitchen cupboards and drawers, which we're having repainted a color called "Drizzle" (think very light blue with a hint of gray). My family and I moved to England last August (my husband is English and worked in the States for about 20 years). We bought a house in November. We've been having it remodelled (new interior paint, carpets, flooring, appliances, lights, etc.) and it looks like we'll FINALLY be able to move in next month! (We've been living with my in-laws. Thank goodness they are lovely people with a big house to share!) As for the song I've been listening to on repeat: Wilder Days by Morgan Wade. I'm borderline obsessed. I need to get my fix and listen to it at least once a day. And the book I'm currently into and loving: Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score. It's the first book I've read by her but it won't be my last! Thanks for sharing the update, all the eats and that adorable photo of you and Max. So sweet! Take care. XO
Alexis Joseph says
That is soooooo so exciting! Now I'm going to look up that song. I'm totally the same way where I get obsessed with one song and listen to it until I'm sick of it, LOL. Making a note of that book!
Lauren S says
Love the idea of dedicated takeout nights! Need to make some no-bakes ASAP, too.
An orzo recipe suggestion.. this is SO easy & can be switched up based on what veggies you have on hand. But the baked feta is truly divine. Enjoy!
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/sheet-pan-baked-feta-with-broccolini-tomatoes-and-lemon-604fbd3106cd7d2ef9bd11d1/amp
Alexis Joseph says
That sounds SOOOO good!!
Kori says
Amazing and inspiring meals! Lately we have enjoyed homemade beef and bean tacos that stretched for a number of meals, Banza baked ziti with fresh mozzarella, baked yogurt toast, and baked pear oatmeal. I'm looking forward to making those delicious bites!
Oh my word, Wendy is out of control! Jonah is a lost puppy, Charlotte really did an about-face, Marty always tries to stay level-headed, and Ruth is my fav and such a badass! Darlene...is a nightmare. We finished episode five and wow! What an ending. I'm nervous to see how season four part one ends. Eeps!
Alexis Joseph says
Ok Kori I'm drooling!! I need to make the baked yogurt toast, was it worth the hype!? And YES to everything about Ozark. Wendy needs to chill. Ruth is everything.
Kori Daniel says
It is very good! We need to clean our stove (I think you posted about yours recently), and our stupidly sensitive smoke detector sounded at least three times. It's wired to the one in our bedroom, so Matt got a surprise. Ugh. But I then made his in the toaster oven. Lol.
Wendy needs a chill pill for sure!
Jennifer says
Best orzo recipe ever: https://pinchofyum.com/greek-baked-orzo I use spinach instead of kale and add all the optional goodies!
Alexis Joseph says
I am totally adding this to my must make recipes list! Thanks!