I have news! First, my dear friend Simi just released her first book and you NEED it.

Letting Go of Leo will make you cry tears of laughter on one page and sadness the next. Simi is infectiously authentic and insanely relatable. Her ability to challenge the diet world’s status quo without putting anyone down is a true gift to womanhood. Her book weaves together hilariously touching stories of her life, equally soulful and silly ones that ultimately brought her to the perfectly imperfect place of peace where she stands today.

She turns heartbreak, doubt, body shame, self-loathing, the endless quest for acceptance, and the need to control into valuable lessons learned. Simi reminds me time and time again that life is a journey, not a destination. That we teach what we want to learn and that we are all capable of loving and being loved. This book is as overflowing with heart and soul as the author. Get yo'self a copy!

I'm also reading Braving the Wilderness and Call Me By Your Name. What are you reading right now?

Second, our renovation was featured on Apartment Therapy! Totally made my day. Onto the fooooood!

Breakfast:

Pancakes always happen at least once a week. I used my old Fluffy Greek Yogurt Pancakes recipe and I'm thinking they need an update and a re-post. Who's with me?

Shakshuka!! Yep, I finally posted the recipe. Joy to the world! I found the cutest little purple potatoes at Kroger to have on the side.

Organic eggs and avocado toast (loving Trader Joe's sprouted wheat berry bread) with everything bagel seasoning, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. Guys...I'm obsessed with lemon on avocado toast. I keep a jar of bottled lemon juice in the fridge at all times and put it on like, everything.

Almond croissant (my absolute favorite pastry) from Pistacia Vera + coffee. I remember the days when a pastry would never count as "legitimate" breakfast because it wasn't full of whole grains or green. I'm so glad those times are behind me.

A green smoothie with frozen pineapple, frozen zucchini, frozen cauliflower, kale, orange, hemp seeds, peanut butter, ginger, and spirulina.

An egg sandwich that I inhaled before taking the picture + a blueberry galette I split with my girlfriend at the the Fox in the Snow in German Village.

Lunch/Dinner:

I ate a lot of random things this week for lunch and dinner that didn't get photographed, but here's a few snapshots:

African Peanut Soup from The Oh She Glows Cookbook topped with peanuts and cilantro. I used a can of lentils and added leftover cabbage I had in the fridge. SO good!

Southwestern sweet potato corn chowder from Alchemy.

A big salad with squash, beets, and nuts from The Market (kind of more like a snack).

The best lasagna!! I used lentil noodles and an entire 40oz jar of Rao's sauce that I got at Costco. We had garlic bread and salad on the side.

Dessert/Snacks:

Our new Tropical Storm smoothie bowl from Alchemy.

No-Bake Mint Chocolate Protein Bars.

Gingerbread Muffins.

The yummiest peanut butter cookie dough bites covered in melted chocolate chips + coconut oil. I gotta post the recipe soon!