Hello, and happy post 4th of July! I hope you had a wonderful holiday!
It was SCORCHING hot here but we still managed to have a great time waving at floats and collecting candy at our neighborhood parade (lots of water trickles on heads plus suckers seemed to do the trick) then attending a friend’s BBQ later that night. There was some miscommunication earlier this week when I thought we were hosting dinner, so it was a nice surprise to be able to walk out the door and hang out at someone else’s home for the night!
These are the same friends whose 2011 4th of July party I made 66 Jello shots for. My, times have changed. ;)
I spent yesterday recovering from the heat – 9 months pregnant + 100+ heat index = taking several days to fully cool down – and continuing to prep for baby girl. Just a couple weeks left, you guys – insanity!!
These past two weeks I’ve felt like doing nothing yet everything at the same time. Although my energy levels are way down and the amount of appointments, meetings, and last minute projects I’m trying to fit in are taking up a huge amount of time, the urge to nest is a very real thing. That said, I’ve been trying to tackle one major thing each night. While Ben is in charge of putting together furniture/painting baby’s bedroom, I’m tackling the washing/prepping of bottles, laundering gobs of newborn clothes (thank goodness for one of my besties who had twin girls with very good taste last year. So funny to see pink in the dryer lint trap!) cleaning bouncers and swings, etc. I think we’ll be totally ready for her when the time comes – if only by the skin of our teeth.
All this hard work means I can spend the next two weeks focusing on these two sweet, sweet souls.
My boys of summer!
Plus prepping 101 meals for the freezer. Wish me luck.
Anyway, wanted to catch up on all things new food products / musicals / Netflix specials in today’s edition of Currently! I hope you have a WONDERFUL summer weekend – catch you on the other side!
Drizzling: Here Michigan Apple Balsamic Salad Dressing. Since my GD diagnosis I’ve been eating at least one giant salad a day, and my favorite Tessemae’s Creamy Ranch dressing started to get a little heavy. That said, I picked up this bottle of dressing at the store a few weeks ago and it is SOOOO good! Tart, tangy, full of flavor, and I love the ingredient list too. Look for this in the refrigerated salad dressing section vs the aisle.
Attending: Hamilton. Ben and I saw Hamilton last week (it’s in town until mid-July) – we’d been DYING to see what all the fuss was about! Ben’s a mega hip hop enthusiast who also loves musical theater so he was actually bopping in his chair for 3 hours straight. I’m not a public bopper but was tapping my foot the whole time. Needless to say, we loved it and I can’t recall another show we’ve seen where every single song was one to remember. I’m so proud of my city for being able to host the touring crew. If you get the chance – do NOT skip Hamilton!
Watching: Ali Wong. I recently watched Ali Wong’s Baby Cobra special on Netflix at the recommendation of a friend and literally can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. Like, years. Maybe my whole life? Ben thought I was off my rocker but once I started I couldn’t stop! Do not watch if you’re easily offended about, well, anything, but if you dare, I promise you a HIGH-larious show.
Playing. The little boys and I have been heading to the backyard for a dip in the blow up pool a couple afternoons each week and like to finish up with a good 10 minute hose blasting session (my water bill hates me.) I truly don’t know who has more fun – them or me, muwahaha. :)
Devouring: peaches. IT’S OFFICIALLY PEACH SEASON, PEOPLE! Sorry to shout, but the beeline I made to the peach portion of the produce section at the grocery store earlier this week after smelling them from afar was rather impressive, if I do say so myself. Since peaches are pretty high in carbs I’ve been slowly savoring one every afternoon this week. It’s the best part of my day. (Recipe for Peach Caprese Salad is on deck for this weekend. ↓)
Visiting: Iowa Distilling Company. I recently visited the Iowa Distilling Company for a fun project (will fill you in on the details later,) and I cannot WAIT to return when I can actually sample some of the products! Great people distilling uniquely Iowa spirits with a killer drink menu, and the neatest “tap room” vibe (think 1875 general store meets approachable hipster hangout.) If you’re ever in Cumming, IA be sure to stop by and try a few tasty beverages with Kyle (the owner) + his crew. The Lemon Honey Zone is calling my name…
Inhaling: Barnana Plantain Chips. I know I just recently mentioned these Barnana Plantain Chips but they’re worth another shout out – I.am.obsessed! They don’t taste sweet nor like bananas, which is a good thing in my opinion, plus they’re thick, crunchy, and full of flavor. They feel like healthy potato chips (shrugs shoulders.) I find them in my grocery store’s health market for about the same price as Amazon. Highly recommend the Brazilian BBQ flavor.
Craving: Fresh Mint Iced Tea. I know what I’m doing with the fresh mint that’s currently taking over my entire herb garden! How refreshing does this ice cold tea from Love and Olive Oil look? They’d make the best preggo popsicles…
Quitting: The Bachelorette. Mama didn’t raise no quitter except that I’m officially closing the door on this season of The Bachelorette. Snoozeville, horrible guys with even worse real world behavior and, I don’t know, Bachelorette – I just not that into you. Bring on Paradise! Fellow fans: am I alone?
Loving: Coconut oil face wash. Not a coconut oil-based face wash, rather, using coconut oil AS my face wash! I saw this method on a fellow blogger’s Instagram account a few weeks ago and have been loving the process and results ever since. At night I massage a dollop of coconut oil all over my face (I use unrefined organic from the grocery store – use refined for less of coconut smell) then place a steaming hot washcloth on top and let it sit until the cloth is cool before wiping everything away. Takes off ALL my makeup, including waterproof mascara and eyeliner, plus my skin feels so, so soft. I never have breakouts when I’m pregnant (thanks, hormones (for once not being sarcastic about hormones!)) so I’m anxious to see if this is still a good skin solution after baby is born. For now I’m loving the simplicity of washing away the day’s dirt and grime with simply coconut oil and a washcloth. It’s the little things.
Blending: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies. Since Lincoln is allergic to dairy and super super slim, I’m always looking for ways to fatten and fill him up. A few days ago I made him a Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie with this Silk Chocolate Protein Milk I’d recently found at the grocery store, which is high in both fat and protein (and yes, sugar, but seriously this high-fat and protein/no dairy thing is really tough) and he sucked it DOOWWWN. All I did was blend ~3/4 cup of the milk with 1/2 ripe banana and a big spoonful of peanut butter until smooth, then added ~1 cup ice and blended until thick and frosty. He and his brother each thoroughly enjoyed a glass – think we’ll make them into popsicles soon!
Pick a currently category and fill me in!Â
From 66 jello shots to family BBQs…I always pause when I’m confronted with those contrasts…but have been there so many times. Recently a bestie and I went on vacay together – our biggest goals were sleeping in and quiet time …. definitely not the same life. :)
I’m living the maternity leave life currently and watched the Ali Wong specials in a week….I nearly choked with laughter.
I’m with you on Ali Wong! I watched “Baby Cobra” last week and am now currently watching “Hard Knock Wife” in my very quiet office on a Friday morning. I had to close my office door because I can’t stop laughing! Thanks for the recommendation!
Regarding “washing” your face with coconut oil, isn’t there some concern with putting coconut oil down the drain from the standpoint that it’s a solid when cool and while it melts with your warm wash cloth, won’t it again solidify in the pipes (and cause blockage)? Kind of like you should not put bacon grease down a drain….
I hadn’t really thought about that! You use such a small amount that nothing drips off your face but I suppose some obviously gets down the drain from washing out the washcloth, or laundering it in the machine. Not sure about this one. ?
This is a concern for sure with things like oil pulling, because it’s a full tablespoon. (That’s why they tell you to spit it in the trash.) But with facial cleansing, I’d assume a lot of it is on the wash cloth anyway?
I love so many things on your list! I will need to look for that salad dressing. We have the dips from that brand at our grocery store. Hamilton is the best! I continue to stalk our grocery store for peaches that smell amazing. I need to search for those banana chips.
I think I am done with the Bachelorette and the Bachelor. Each season seems to be getting worse. I am tired of them recycling past participants always to be the new Bachelorette or Bachelor. These seasons are boring and honestly so bad to watch. They feel scripted. I will check out Paradise and see if it is good like past years.
Oh my gosh, they make dips?! Iiiinteresting. I will definitely be on the look out for those!