Things I Love And You Might Too

A post, otherwise known as Friday Favorites, which is probably dominating your Bloglovin feed today :) If you aren't reading this on a Friday, well, then you might actually read this post :) I am trying to post consistently on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Today I don't have a recap post with pictures from my week to share with you :( However, I do have a list of things that I'm loving this week that I think you could love too!

#1 Podcasts

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey specifically. The target audience is women and has mentions of Christianity. I thought it was worth mentioning because that may be something you are or are not looking for in a podcast. It's very casual conversation interview style about topics relevant to women with popular bloggers/authors/organization leaders. It's very upbeat and fun. It keeps me company on my commutes. I admit it's kind of inspiring to hear from women doing big things with their lives whether that be in their homes or outside their homes. What Should I Read Next is another podcast I keep up with weekly. I'll give you one guess what that is about!

#2 Spring Reading

I totally switched gears with my reading preferences this last week. I had been reading a lot of heavy material for the past 2-3 months. You can see for yourself in my March Reading recap and February Reading recap and January too if you aren't quite convinced :) I always throw in a lighter read, like Everything Everything in March and The Magnolia Story in February. When the warm weather came in last week, I thought I don't want to think so hard! I want to be outside on my patio giggling over silly characters, dialogue,  and letting my brain wander. So, I went to the library (because I don't have enough books around my house from my book haul) and got some lighter books! Nicola Yoon's The Sun Is Also A Star is the one I'm looking forward to most.

#3 Meal Planning

At the beginning of every military pay period, I take a Sunday afternoon to create a meal plan. I started doing this for two reasons: budget and to curb our restaurant outings. It has done wonders for both! I have a secret board in Pinterest where I pin all the meals I want to make for two weeks. Then I go back through and make a list of ingredients I will need. Then I post the meal plan in my kitchen and pick the meal I want on the day I want. Meals that take longer to prepare are made on the weekends or days I don't work. I try to keep them semi-healthy and add in some cheap eats too.  Our current meal plan is 3 weeks long which is the longest I've done. There are some delicious recipes we've tried so far.

Here are links to some of the recipes I'm making:
Sweet Ranch Chicken and Veggies
Senate Bean Soup
Grilled Shrimp With Old Bay and Creamy Parmesan Risotto (with mushrooms)
Lasagna Rollups
Sweet Potato Hash 

#4 Homemade Snack Mix

Often times, I will make my own snack mix for a sweet treat in my work lunch. I will take a few things from the pantry and mix them together. This week I made an additional mix for my daughter to bring in her lunch. The following morning she asked, "Mom, could you make that mix for me again?"  It really was the perfect combo. Almonds, milk chocolate chips, and gummy bears in case you are curious :) Oh and here is the trick to making your eating experience awesome...almond, chocolate chip, almond, almond, chocolate chip, gummy bear, repeat.

#5 Ipsy GlamBag

For someone who doesn't consistently wear makeup, I sure do love Ipsy. This monthly subscription is more than makeup including items for skin and hair care. I have consistently found the value to be at least four times the $10 monthly charge. Now I have a little buddy who likes to raid my Ipsy Glambags, so all items get put to good use! This month I really love the Ofra peach blush and trying the new shade of nail color. I have a very intense nail polish addiction! And the ticket bag is a favorite too!

#6 This Blog Post!

You know those moments when you hear words that are just meant for you. This blog post was that for me this week. I just happened upon this blog, The Girl Who Loved To Write, and immediately loved it. 7000+ followers can't be wrong! Anyways, this particular post really touched on a relevant topic/feeling for me as I continually struggle with living in North Carolina. I know what you are all thinking...still?!? Come on! Well, that is just the way it is for me and this blog post gave me the encouragement I need to keep trucking along. This will not be my forever, this is only temporary, and the whole point of temporary is to make the most of it. To learn and grown in your moment. I may not be in my early adult years, a young mom, or a doctor's wife, but I totally relate to this blog post! So, if you ever feel like you are waiting to get the job, have the baby, raise the baby, move home, buy the house, etc. etc. Read this post: Being Here, Now, in This Moment. (Stepping down from my soap box :)

Linking Up With These Ladies 

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