Dream Crazier

Have you seen this new Nike campaign?  It's awesome. I love how this campaign seeks to reframe how women are seen in the context of emotion. Women showing emotion have been called dramatic, hysterical, irrational, and crazy.  Let them call us crazy.  Show them what crazy can do. 

Currently...

+ just finished this audiobook (highly recommend, her voice is so soothing) and started this one

+ also reading a paper copy of this young adult book - about 2/3 through and really enjoying it

+ been making this banana bread a lot lately

+ looking to make a dairy-free version of this next week

+ eyeing this gorgeous color for my collection

+ loving this essential oil for sleep

+ spending rest time perusing these new cookbooks I checked out from the library

+ dreaming about a vacation and staying here

+ thinking about this, an article worth reading

image/bloom

Salt Fat Acid Heat

Have you read the mega-cookbook Salt Fat Acid Heat?  Truthfully, I checked this book out from the library and found it a bit daunting.  It's packed with useful tips, tricks, and information to understand and master the art of cooking, using the four essential elements of food; salt, fat, acid, and heat.  But...it is extremely text and science heavy, which was too much for me to digest.

However, the Netflix original TV show of the same name was much more my speed!  Samin Nosrat travels the globe in search of flavor, and her travels and culinary adventures are a joy to watch.  Plus, it's only four episodes, so a quick binge.  One episode for each element.  Salt. Fat. Acid. Heat.  Check out this preview below.

Sex Education

When I initially saw the ad for the new Netflix original series, Sex Education pop up on my Netflix

feed, my knee-jerk reaction was, nah, no thanks.  Another high school show?  Really?

However, my tune changed after a close friend suggested I at least watch the two minute trailer, and give the show a chance.  This I did, and now I am recommending this show to friends and family alike in droves.  

Here's my quick synopsis.  Set in a high school in England, Otis, the main character is an awkward, sexually inexperienced boy on the outskirts of the school's social scene.  He virtually moves through his day unnoticed by most peers.  He lives with his Jean, a single mom, and successful sex therapist who is forward thinking, progressive, and very open with her son regarding dialogue about topics surrounding sex.  Otis' world mainly consists of his mom and his best friend Eric, a dynamic, energetic, openly gay kid, the only son in an immigrant family among four sisters, who while loved by his parents struggles to have them fully understand and accept his gender identity and is personal choices.  

The story takes off when Otis is unfortunately paired on an after school project with the school's bully (and headmaster's son), Adam.  After Adam exposes Otis' mom's professional life online, to unfettered ridicule and embarassment, a string of unforeseen circumstances lead Otis and mystery-girl Maeve to stumble upon Adam in an embarrassing situation, the tides having turned.  Otis, being the kind, affable teenager that he is, offers to help Adam, offering words of advice which Adam takes to heart and subscribes to.  

Maeve, who is essentially orphaned and struggling to survive on her own, sees the potential in Otis and capitalizes on this moment, suggested he provide similar sex advice to other kids in the school, charging a small fee, making this a lucrative operation for both of them.

The show is explicit, NOT little kid-friendly in the slightest - please be aware...there's nudity, explicit language, and many sexual topics covered. On the flip side, it is also incredibly heartfelt, with moments that inspire laugher and tears.  The music is spot on, and the storylines have elements of truth, humor, and believability.  I like that is is a window into high school life, highlighting that no matter where you are in the social hierarchy, everyone struggles with something, whether that be insecurity, pressure, challenges, or navigating touchy topics with parents.  

I laughed and I cried, and highly recommend!  (Truth be told, I've have already rewatched the series twice!).

Cookbook Crush: The Lost Kitchen

Have you heard of The Lost Kitchen?  It's a farm to table restaurant in Freedom, Maine that's become so hugely popular they only take reservations by written note. How clever is that?  The chef, Erin French changed to this reservation policy after seeing her demand outpaced her restaurant size.  Low and behold, she received 20,000 reservation requests!  Intrigued by this concept and her restaurant itself, I did some digging, and discovered The Lost Kitchen also has a cookbook, also titled The Lost Kitchen.

The cookbook catalogues her arduous journey to from a secret supper club to establishing the restaurant, only to be literally locked out and lose everything in a messy divorce.  I found her story extremely compelling, a bonus narrative to the pages upon pages of delicious farm fresh recipes.  Notably the rhubarb spoon cake, chamomile creme brûlée, and apple cider and rosemary sorbet (she does have more recipes than purely desserts, I assure you).  

It's a cookbook I hadn't seen on any recent bestseller lists, or Amazon bookstore shelves, but one worthy of a read, or at least a timely flip through. 

Dinner Last Night: Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas

Made this for dinner last night after viewing it on Liz's instagram - a delicious meat-free entree with minimal prep.  A great weeknight meal.  Too bad it wasn't a huge hit with my kids - one of my kiddos loves sweet potatoes so I thought this recipe would be a slam dunk but...no dice.  Maybe next time?  You snooze you lose, more leftovers for mom, I guess.

image/cookieandkate

Friday Fun

+ this squash-onion bruschetta concoction sounds pretty delish

+ doesn't this sound like the loveliest 40th birthday party?

+ i've never been to charleston, but after reading bridget's post (and seeing the bea's nest) I reallllly want to go!

+ i'm not much of a super bowl watcher, but I do love super bowl fare!  thinking I might spice up my frozen trader joe's soft pretzels with these toppings

+ go vegan and you could get beyonce tickets for life...for reals!

+ pretty excited for these colorful stamps slated to debut in 2019

+ i've had a renewed zeal for this podcast lately - loving their thoughts + recommendations

Have a good weekend!

image/erineverafter