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    Hummusapien » Wellness » Lovely Meals Lately » Lovely Meals Lately: July 2022 + a Change!

    Lovely Meals Lately: July 2022 + a Change!

    Published Jul 28, 2022 · Modified Sep 6, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 18 Comments

    Friends! It's been a minute since I've posted meal inspiration because hello, we moved to Denver!

    two people on hike

    We've been spending our free time soaking up the sunshine, hiking, and exploring new restaurants in this vibrant city. Drumroll please...I started eating meat again!

    As a refresher, I grew up eating meat and had a very "normal" diet. I was vegan for part of college, which is also when I was struggling with disordered eating. I then followed a plant-based, pescatarian diet for ten years. I've always loved seafood, but I never had much of an interest in meat until I was pregnant. My mom always found it funny considering the meal I requested when I came home my freshman year of college was meatloaf.

    Fast-forward to this past winter when I was suffering from insane fatigue. It felt like I was pregnant again but I knew I wasn't. I saw my doctor for blood work and discovered my ferritin, or long-term iron stores, was low. I was relieved to have answers; but when O started taking an iron supplement, the uncomfortable GI side effects were a major struggle.

    At my friend's wedding in Montana a couple weeks later, I ate a burger. There wasn't much to it--I saw it, it sounded good to me, and that was that. I didn't overthink it. After that moment, I found myself wanting to eat meat again on several occasions.

    The freedom to follow through on those feelings without self-judgment was a breath of fresh air. I've learned that boxing myself into a a diet label can be stressful, confusing, and guilt-inducing.

    It definitely feels strange at first and kind of, against my identity? But if there's one thing I've learned in the last couple years after making some of most drastic shifts of my life, it's that change is good. And living in a way that sets my soul on fire and feels true to the core of my being is the only way I want to live.

    I will continue to be transparent about the changes in my life as I know they've inspired many of you to make your own changes. I will continue to evolve and I hope you challenge yourself to do the same. Ultimately, what we eat should never define or divide us.

    Here I am, no longer working in the restaurants I thought were my entire life, no longer in the state I lived for 32 years in, no longer a vegetarian. All things I didn't see coming!

    And guess what? I've never felt more home in my body and my life.

    Lovely Meals

    You may be thinking, is she going to start posting burgers and chicken?! I don't think so, considering I don't even know how to cook those things (LOL). Like so many situations in life, this is an and, not an or. I can enjoy meat when it feels right for me and also continue to share plant-based recipes. Onto the eats!

    A big batch of my summer quinoa salad for the win.

    quinoa salad

    This dark chocolate bar from Trader Joe's is absolutely beautiful if you love super dark chocolate like I do.

    chocolate

    Fajita night is the best night.

    fajitas

    Blueberry banana muffins with a couple handfuls of spinach blended into the wet ingredients. I'm working on a new banana spinach muffins recipe to share! So good slathered with tahini.

    muffin

    I can't stop with steel cut oatmeal slathered in tahini and topped with juicy local peaches. Salt not optional.

    oatmeal and baby

    My second hamburger in a decade. This one was enjoyed al fresco at my parents' house with all the best cookout fixings.

    hamburger

    This strawberry pineapple banana smoothie (plus spinach) is the most refreshing. Mmmmmm.

    green smoothie

    Have you made my s'mores cookies yet? Little dream clouds!

    smores cookies

    This is my favorite cold brew combo lately. We've been sooooo exhausted every day since moving to Colorado, so this helps.

    cold brew

    Whole wheat pita stuffed with tuna salad and topped with arugula and banana peppers. Potato chips on the side!

    pita with tuna

    White Pie's Sicilian pizza has stolen my heart. This is the Spicy G with house red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, pickled chiles, spicy honey, ricotta, and poppy seed crust. We keep wanting to try new places but it's too good!

    pizza

    Divine sweet and savory pastries from when we visited Breckenridge for the weekend. Plus Max's pouch.

    pastries

    Over easy eggs with salted peach tahini toast. Major yum.

    eggs and toast

    Things I'm Loving Lately

    1. We enjoyed The Bear so much! The cooking scenes were like art, filled with emotion, and the characters were so likable. It hit home and brought back a lot of restaurant nostalgia. It was vivid and raw and stressful, which the food service industry very much is.
    2. These outdoor rockers are the best. We got two for our front porch. They're comfy and really nice looking.
    3. I can't stop with Beam's Dream Powder as a nightcap before bed. It tastes like hot cocoa but has CBD, magnesium, and reishi--all the things to help me fall asleep and stay asleep! Use code HUMMUSAPIEN15 for 35% off your first order.
    4. I've been devouring Abby Jimenez books. My favorites were The Friend Zone, Life's Too Short and Happily Ever After Playlist. I loaned them all on Libby, which totally changed my book-reading and listening life.
    5. Klorane dry shampoo. I've tried a bunch, but this is my favorite so far.
    6. Great salt and pepper grinders. Ours were breaking and I love the look and price point of these!
    7. Cocofloss is the best floss ever and basically the reason I floss. It gets so much out of your teeth that you can't not. Love the natural ingredients, too.
    8. I'm obsessed with these baby/kiddo pajamas. They're a great material and super stretchy. I think they'll fit Max for a long time!

    What are you eating and reading and listening to lately? Drop a comment with something you're loving!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Whitney Long says

      August 08, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      LOVE libby! Always appreciate all the meal inspo. Love that cold brew from TJ's. Have you tried their brown sugar oatmilk creamer with it? Super good! Thank you for sharing your continuing journey with food. Your vulnerability and transparency has helped so many people, myself included! 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 08, 2022 at 7:03 pm

        Ahhh no I haven't tried that but WOW sounds amazing. And you're so welcome 🙂 Thanks for being on the journey!

        Reply
    2. Denise Siegel says

      July 29, 2022 at 6:11 pm

      Alexis! I am VERY happy for you:)
      Glad you are giving yourself permission to grow and change.

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 01, 2022 at 3:45 pm

        AMEN! Thank you so much, Denise 🙂

        Reply
    3. Elle says

      July 28, 2022 at 11:00 pm

      Lex! You inspire me 🙂 so happy for you and your new Denver adventure!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 01, 2022 at 3:45 pm

        Awww love you!!

        Reply
    4. Sarah says

      July 28, 2022 at 6:23 pm

      Thanks as always for your meal inspiration! I’ll have to try that chocolate - I’m also into super dark. Also I totally resonate with your change back to eating meat! I recently did the same. I had been gradually becoming vegetarian/vegan for a few years, slowly cutting out more and more foods despite feeling deep down that it wasn’t right for me. I used to make excuses like I thought meat grossed me out. This year I had a relapse of BED and restricting so much was likely causing this. I started slowly trying meat again and now have it a few times a week when I’m feeling it! I even let myself have hot dogs again which was amazing because I didn’t need to bring my usual veggie burger to family cookouts haha. Anyway, thanks for your transparency!! Doesn’t it feel amazing to prioritize your body and your wants/needs?!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 01, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        Thanks so much for sharing your story, Sarah. Hooray for hot dogs! And yes, it feels SO freeing to just eat a burger and not feeling like I'm breaking a rule.

        Reply
    5. Laura McRae says

      July 28, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      Thank you for being open and transparent about your life! You are a true inspiration as a wife, mother, and friend. I love these posts. Such great meal ideas!!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 01, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        That means SO much, thank you Laura!!

        Reply
    6. Jenna says

      July 28, 2022 at 2:29 pm

      I love these posts and it looks like your family is settling into life in Colorado nicely. If you're looking for book recommendations, I just finished Every Summer After by Carley Fortune and loved it. It's one of those books that makes you nostalgic for life before social media and it's also the ideal summer read since it takes place in a small town lake house town. I read it in two days.

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 01, 2022 at 3:47 pm

        Amazing! Just added that to my Libby holds list!

        Reply
    7. Kori Daniel says

      July 28, 2022 at 12:22 pm

      You are amazing, strong, & ever-evolving! I was never vegetarian but was scared to eat meat twice in a day because of being disordered & following advised portion sizes. People always assumed I was vegetarian. Fast forward to now when I eat all along the spectrum: meat, seafood, eggs, plant-based, meat twice in a day. It’s so freeing! I commend you for following your body’s cues.

      Tahini is so damn delicious! I love it with peaches & avocado thanks to you sharing this combo.

      Your salt & pepper grinders link isn’t working, but I’d love to know which ones you bought.

      Thank you for sharing this post!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 01, 2022 at 3:48 pm

        I love that so much for you, Kori! I just ate tahini peach toast with red pepper flakes..so good. Link is fixed!

        Reply
    8. Victoria says

      July 28, 2022 at 11:06 am

      I appreciate you being open about eating meat again. It's interesting to hear your perspective. I grew up eating a traditional American diet but became vegan in 2011 after reading The Kind Diet and numerous other books. I was mostly vegan for a period of 10 years but after a number of years I found myself "cheating" and eating non-vegan sweets from time to time (BIG sweet tooth here and the vegan desserts by and large weren't nearly as satisfying as traditional treats nor as readily available), always when I was alone so that none of my friends or family were the wiser. And eventually I got fed up of living the "double life" and "came out" as vegetarian in a raw, honest post to Instagram. I confessed to feeling guilty and ashamed, about my dishonesty and about how I'd "failed" at being a vegan. But the people who responded were all understanding and supportive. I can't currently envision myself eating meat again but "never say never" as the saying goes. I appreciate your transparency and your willingness to share your food journey in particular and your life journey in general. Take care of you.

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 01, 2022 at 3:49 pm

        So funny--I read all those books, too. They were very powerful! Good for you for being brave and listening to your body and mind. Thank you for sharing your journey. Take care, Victoria!

        Reply
    9. Victoria says

      July 28, 2022 at 10:54 am

      Oh, I sooo was into Abby Jimenez's books awhile back and have read all the ones you've mentioned. Lately I've been indulging in numerous, interconnected book series by Piper Lawson. Have you read any books by her? I started with the Wicked series then moved on to the Rivals series and just last night I finished the Enemies series. Then I promptly began reading the Off-Limits series! 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 01, 2022 at 3:50 pm

        I haven't but I'll have to try!

        Reply

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