Hello hello! Here’s to a new week that will hopefully bring new (pleasant!) surprises. I’ve been feeling more hopeful lately, which is definitely an exciting change. I’m not sure what it is, but it almost feels like an energy shift. Though the pandemic is raging on in the U.S. and we are certainly not out of the woods in that respect, there still seems to be a hopefulness in the air that is new and encouraging.

I guess I just feel more excited, about nothing in particular, and it feels quite good. 😀

Today, I wanted to bring you the usual eats & movement recap with the meals and workouts that I really loved recently, but I also wanted to throw in some things I’m currently loving that have been bringing me lots of joy too. Let’s dive in.

 

Eats

Dada Eats Copycat Levain’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

I saw these on Samah’s Instagram and made them the following day because, hello, Levain! If you are not a native New Yorker or don’t happen to be acquainted with the wonder that is Levain Bakery, allow me to explain. Levain Bakery is known for making giant gooey hockey-puck-like chocolate chip cookies that are no contest, the best cookies in NYC. This is not up for debate and is not just my opinion. Google the name, and you’ll find tons of reputable sources claiming the same (rhymes!). Of course, you won’t understand until you go yourself to the tiny hole-in-the-wall bakery, stand in line inhaling the sweet delicious fumes from their never-off ovens, and finally get rewarded with a warm heavyweight of a cookie in a little paper bag, that you then proceed to demolish in the most unladylike way in the middle of the nearby Central Park. Not speaking from experience or anything. 😉

Anyway, had to make these even though I knew this was going to be a healthified version and was of course not going to be the same. These are made with almond and coconut flour, which I personally LOVE in cookies, and they were absolutely delicious! No, not Levain, but amazing in their own way. Highly recommend if you, too, are missing some NYC gems or just want a cookie that tastes dreamy and packs a nutritional punch.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes + Weiners + Salad

This meal was from 4th of July (wow, a while ago), but I just had to share it because it was so good and pure joy. The potatoes were my contribution, and the rest was my mom’s, and we enjoyed this little feast on our balcony (where we’ve been loving having both brunches and dinners whenever the weather permits). These potatoes were incredible and definitely worth the couple extra steps. I’ll bet they would be unbelievable with some homemade pesto, but I was too hungry and impatient to make any hehe.

Enjoyed with a side of some illegal fireworks made by neighborhood folk. 😉

Banana Oatmeal + Coffee

Simple but so joyful. I haven’t made my go-to banana oatmeal in ages because it’s been wayyy too hot, but we had a cooler day on Saturday, and this was absolutely perfect. Especially enjoyed on the balcony with some French Press coffee. Truly the little things. 😀

Puppy Chow

Made a new batch after taking a break from it for a while. So easy, so good, so joy. I may or may not have had it for lunch with a peach one day (’cause balance), and I just thought, wow, if this is what it means to be an adult, I’m not mad about it. :p

Chicken Tenders + Guac

I’ve shared about this meal before, and it’s still a fave. It’s also incredibly easy and quick to put together, though it tastes like it took ages. I’m especially a huge fan of that honey mustard sauce for dipping the tenders, and I often make it separately for dipping all kinds of other things (like carrots!)

Oh also, I’m sure this is guac blasphemy or whatever, but I’ve been using lemon instead of lime lately, and…I kinda love it?? I know I know, but like, if you’re ever caught without limes, lemons truly work great too! I promise I won’t judge you. 😉

Sushi

We got our second takeout order of quarantine a couple days ago, and once again, it was sushi. This was even better than the first one we got a few weeks back. Straight joy and satisfaction. <3

 

Movement

This intense but not-too-long hiit workout (felt AMAZING first thing in the morning!)

This 43 minute kickboxing and upper body strength routine (quick, intense, and fun!)

This 50-minute yoga for self love + this 18 minute yoga for hope (this was pure bliss)

This 36-minute morning yoga routine + this 25-minute yoga for openness (lovely combo)

This 25-minute hiit for people who get bored easily + this 10-minute butt Pilates routine (so fun!)

 

Currently Loving

Crosley Record Player

I am now the proud owner of a real legit RECORD PLAYER! With records and everything! Eep! I’d always said I want to one day live in a house with a record player so I could just turn on a record in the evening while I unwind from a day of doing cool things. And my sweet boyfriend decided to grant me that dream now when he got me the best graduation gift ever. <3 He also got me some of my favorite albums to kickstart my record collection — Halsey’s Manic, Camila Cabello’s Romance, and Harry Styles’s Fine Line. I am obsessed, and it brings me so so much joy. 🙂

Bigger Love

Also on the topic of music, I am very very into John Legend’s new album Bigger Love. He himself calls it his best work, and I wholeheartedly agree. The lyrics, the beats, the depth of emotion and vulnerability, and the fact that it’s all about his wife Chrissy Teigen…<3. I have probably listened to it through at least 20 times, and I’m nowhere near tired of it. And yes, it will be the next record I purchase, no doubt about it.

Hamilton on Disney Plus

So this is where I will be very honest, even though I’m kind of ashamed of this, but my mom and I started watching Hamilton on Disney Plus last week, got though about half, and then decided we would watch the rest the following day. But theeennnnn, life happened and we kept eating outside instead of in front of the TV, and well, now it’s been over a week and I feel like we need to start from the beginning and I don’t know how to go on.

But! What I did see was amazing, and mostly I’m putting it on this favorites list because Lin Manuel Miranda truly is an artistic genius, and I think everyone should experience his talent.

Stephanie Buttermore’s Channel

I’ve heard about Stephanie for ages, as a lot of Youtubers I follow talk about her, and she’s kind of a big name in the wellness sphere of Youtube. But I only got into her videos in the last month, and man, I’m obsessed. She is absolutely adorable and so fun to watch; her videos are all super fun and joyful and good vibes; and I am very inspired by her recent journey with finding her body’s natural set point. Truly a gem of a human. Oh also, her old cheat day videos are INSANE and weirdly satisfying to watch. Trust me, you’ll be shocked by how entertaining they are haha.

The Artist’s Way

I will for sure be sharing more about this gem of a book when I finish it, but if you are unfamiliar, the Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is basically the Holy Grail of creativity. It’s hailed by writers, actors, artists, creatives of all kinds as the go-to source for igniting and rekindling creativity. I swear this book kept appearing in front of me for months, and when I found out my hero Liz Gilbert is a huge fan, I finally caved and got it. It’s absolutely wonderful so far and is already helping me connect with parts of me I’ve long neglected. If you, too, are currently wanting to add more creativity to your life or just want to optimize your creative flow, I could not recommend this book enough.

This talk with Liz Gilbert

Speaking of the Queen, I recently listened to this talk with her that if anything made me adore her even more. As with anything, Liz had the most beautiful words to say about the current global situation and how we can best take care of ourselves now to be of better service to others. Definitely give it a listen if you have the chance.

Pact

An unexpected underdog favorite to cap off the list today! If you haven’t seen ads for Pact on your Instagram or whatever, it’s a fairly new company that specializes in sustainable cotton basics. Since I currently can’t get enough loungewear (I just can’t wear my going-out clothes in the house, no matter how long quarantine lasts), I finally decided to try them out and ordered two tank tops. Verdict? I love them so much! The cotton allows your skin to breathe in the heat and humidity; the style is cute and can be dressed up or down; and most importantly, there’s a built-in bra, you guys! I mean, can I get a hallelujah!

 

 

And that’s a wrap for me today! Let me know in the comments what you’ve been loving lately, or if any of the things I shared struck a chord! I love hearing from you. <3

 

Stay hopeful and courageous.

xx