Friday Faves
Hi friends! The weekend is here!! What’s going on this weekend?? Anything fun? There are so many holiday events in San Diego, that we have to make our picks for the weekend adventures. I’d love to take Livi ice skating and also check out December nights at Balboa. Tonight we’re off to dinner with friends, and meeting up with our cousins on Sunday. The Pilot’s research paper is due, and PBB original and advanced are headed off to the designers this weekend. We’ll probably be opening a little celebration vino after everything is turned in! (But let’s be real, celebration vino happens most nights over here.)
I hope you all have a fun, festive and enjoyable weekend ahead!
In standard Friday fashion, here are some faves from the week and around the web. I’d love to hear what you’re enjoying this week, too, if you’d like to shout it out in the comments section.
The sandwiches from People’s deli. I kind of overdid it while I was pregnant (#tempehbacon), but finally grabbed a sandwich again. Gluten-free bread, avocado, mustard, tempeh bacon, vegan mayo, tomato and lettuce. I want this every day.
Why hip flexion isn’t bad and why stretching isn’t always the answer. Here’s part 2!
This RX bar flavor is my fave so far. It’s salty, and maple-y and has awesome ingredients. The only bummer about RX bars is that they’re pretty chewy. I wish they were a little softer, but I’ll definitely keep buying them.
Tooth and Gum Tonic. While this isn’t the most *fun* Friday Fave, it definitely deserves a spot on the list because I LOVE it. I’ve been using this tooth + gum tonic for the past couple of months, especially since I have some gum recession and wanted things to be as healthy as possible. I was also looking for an alcohol-free and flouride-free option, which can be tricky to find, and came across rave reviews for this. It contains clove oil, eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender, and makes my teeth feel amazing. It’s also super minty, which is pretty impressive considering the fact that there are no artificial flavors. (Obvi check with your dentist before changing anything.)
Great tips for raising successful kids, and praising effort instead of results.
The entire Hamilton mixtape was released last night at midnight, so you don’t have to hear me freak out over the latest tracks anymore, because it’s all here now! YESSSSSSS. Definitely my favorite album right now, and the mixtape performance yesterday was everything. I just happened to see it while I was working during P’s nap, and it was an awesome pick-me-up.
The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting.
My friends at General Mills sent us a goodie package, including a box of Rice Chex (love) and this book. The Pilot and I laughed until we were crying while skimming the pages. I already ordered a copy for Kyle and Meg. This book is a fun yet honest look at parenthood, and contains many important gems like this:
The best cookbooks of 2016. I was so excited to see Ina’s latest on the list! That lemon chicken is everything.
Loved this list of 2017 Wellness Trends from Well + Good. What do you think of the roundup? I agree with just about everything they mentioned, and also loved the mentioned of increased desire for nontoxic beauty products. I really want the day to arrive where we don’t have to question the safety of the products we’re using, and can walk into any department store knowing the beauty products don’t contain harmful toxins and hormone disrupting ingredients.
You guys, the instant pot fear is real. I got this one with an incredible Cyber Monday deal (it was $68!) and feel so intimidated. I really want to bust it out this weekend, and will likely read the instruction manual cover to cover before I go for it. That never happens haha. Please let me know if you have any Instant Pot tips or favorite recipes!! I was checking out this cookbook, too.
And finally, a Miss P smile to brighten the day.
Hope you have a very happy Friday! I’ll see on Snapchat and IG.
xoxo
Gina
I have to briefly mention the Gatlinburg fires, because they’ve weighted heavily on my mind all week. We were fortunate to make a trip together with the Pilot’s family, and I can’t believe it’s gone.
It was such a special place, and the destruction is truly devastating. Praying for everyone who has been affected.
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I think I would be intimidated with that InstaPot too! Now I’m off to find a cookbook to add to my Christmas list. Happy weekend friend!
yes, cookbooks are great wish list items 🙂 happy weekend!
Thanks for sharing the Mommy Shorts Guide book! I have to send that to my girlfriend who just had her second baby : ) I’m behind the times on this InstaPot trend…. I have to look into it now!
Have a great weekend! And yes, prayers for everyone and anyone affected in TN
http://hyggewellness.com/blog
yes, she will definitely appreciate it! haha
hope you have a wonderful weekend <3
I was VERY scared to use my instant pot the first time as well. Used it for the first time 2 days ago! It went well, nothing blew up =) theres lots of safety measures. I cooked some potatoes and butternut squash in it to mash together. Let us know if you make any good recipes!
hahah i’m so glad to know! i’m going to go for it
Gina, I was terrified when I got my instapot too! Once you take the plunge you will love it. I started with hard boiled eggs. So nice to do a big batch in a matter of minutes and I swear they are the easiest to peel. Also a whole chicken, cooked in a half hour. Skinnytaste has a bunch of recipes also. This soup is a hit at my house: http://www.skinnytaste.com/beef-tomato-and-acini-di-pepe-soup/
i’m so excited about all of the things you can make so quickly! i just need to get over my fear and do it haha. thank you for the recipe, too!!
My instant pot sat in its box for almost a year before I got brave enough to start using it. And now I use it for almost everything.
Here’s the site that coaxed me out of my fear:
https://www.youtube.com/user/flolum
She gives clear, easy instructions. I just love her. Her recipes are great.
If you have the Smart pot, she writes scripts for the app, too.
i can’t wait to check that out. thank you so much!!!
Oh my god!! I am laughing so hard at work at the page about bedtime that I’m almost crying. It feels like whoever wrote that has been spying on bedtime at our house lately. Just add an unhappy four year old who just wants the toddler to sit for long involved books and it would be my life. So funny.
haha pretty much every page in the book i’m like “she lives my life.” it’s seriously hilarious and so on point
Celebration is in order for you both! As far as your faves are concerned, I’ve never tried an RXBar, but I need to — because clearly the ingredients are on point. And I just found out Hamilton will be in San Francisco in April. CLEARLY, I am going. 🙂 Happy Friday, Gina!
YES you need to!!! hope you have a wonderful weekend, friend <3
Hi Gina, I’m from East TN near Gatlinburg. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. A lot of the information about damage in the area has been incorrect, as it was very difficult to assess. Most of what has been lost are homes and cabins, downtown Gatlinburg is still in tact. Many people in the area fear that in the future visitors will avoid Gatlinburg, and their economy is mainly based on tourism. Please, anyone considering visiting there sometime in the future, don’t write it off your list. It is one of the best ways that we can help!
i’m so glad you told me. the news had made it seem like everything is absolutely gone. we will definitely make a trip back when we’re in valdosta. tom’s family always rents the same cabin and i think it’s gone, but it’s comforting to know that the damage isn’t quite that bad. still absolutely horrible. thank you for letting me know <3
I purchased my instant pot from a review on nomnompaleo.com. So far her recipes have made the process the most straightforward and calming – lol. Super fast and easy – and uses less energy than a crock pot.
I will say “ditto” to Jackie’s advice to go visit Michelle Tam at nomnompaleo.com. Her recipes are simple and delicious.
k i haven’t checked out her blog in too long. i will definitely check it out again! thank you!
i’m so happy you told me- i love her blog. i’ll check it out right out right now!
That sandwich looks so good!
The fires look absolutely devastating. They’re even being covered on the news here in Calgary.
it’s so sad 🙁
My InstaPot came yesterday and it’s still sitting in the box. I am so intimidated by it, lol. I was told to get the book Vegan Under Pressure (just requested it from the library) and jump right in!
i think it’s one of those things where you just have to go for it and trust that the directions are thorough. i’m going to do it this weekend!
I love Rx Bars – but agree about the chewy part. I am a newer instant pot user. Did you know that there is an Instant Pot facebook group? That has steered me in the right direction so far. Miss P’s smiles are so adorable! Happy Friday!
oh i had no idea! i’ll check that out- thank you!!
Do you think you’ll take the girls on a trip anywhere next year? The hubby and I have been talking and we are considering taking our littles to either Yellowstone or Costa Rica next year. Either way I’ll be excited to have a family vacation where we’re all together seeing somewhere new! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
is it weird that i’m now craving that tempeh deli sandwich? it looks so good and would totally hit the spot right now.
have a wonderful weekend and enjoy every sip of your celebration vino! <3
Thanks for the link to the hip flexion article. I spent almost two years doing physical therapy for a hip issue. It is much better, but still needs some work. Hopefully I will get a few new tips from the article.
i hope you do, too! happy to hear it’s feeling better, and hope it continues to improve for you
While I agree that I wish we didn’t have to wonder about the toxicity of beauty products, we need to trust our scientific community to sort fact from fiction to determine what exactly is problematic for our health. I believe there is still too much we’re not sure about or is pending research to say what is toxic or hormone disrupting.
a couple of great reads, based on research that does indicate that common ingredients can cause major problems:
http://www.ewg.org/release/analysis-finds-hormone-disruptor-used-cosmetics-nearly-50-different-foods
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-cunningham/dangerous-beauty-products_b_4168587.html
Instant pot is the best! Today I did hard boiled eggs, beets and rice for food prep. These two recipes are great
http://www.theveggiequeen.com/2016/10/15/thai-red-curry-vegan-under-pressure/
http://healthyslowcooking.com/vegan-instant-pot-lentil-vegetable-soup-with-slow-cooker-variation/
It isn’t scary at all – they have taken the danger away! You will be a pro in no time.
I love the InstantPot! LOVE. I just made butternut squash soup in it the other day- so easy, and made a ton with little effort. I’ve totally drank the IP Koolaid! Roughly used this recipe:
http://www.drkarenslee.com/butternut-squash-soup-instant-pot-recipe/
I thought you’d like this Pin on Pinterest… http://pin.it/vCWr0L5
Saw this on Pinterest and immediately thought of you! A little random but I figured you’d enjoy it. 🙂
Hi! A couple months ago you posted about an egg white protein powder from Traders Joes and I was just wondering if you had found any uses for it? Or had tried to substitute it for eggs in recipes? I bought a container of it forever ago and it’s just been staring at me
Prayers for Gatlinburg! It is such a beautiful place! Especially this time of year!
I love mommyshorts and I’m not even a mom – her instagrams and snaps are on point all the time haha!
she is hilarious