If we were having real coffee together, we’d be sitting outside on my deck, and I’d tell you to look over the edge of the deck so you could see the little blooms on my Lenten rose, and we’d talk about how it is so amazing that this unlikely plant was able to be transferred from a small pot in my house, into the soil in the ground, and covered with snow for nearly 6 months, and un-expertly over-trimmed this spring by yours truly, and STILL eventually sprout these beautiful little roses again.

Nature is one big miracle.

But first, what are you drinking today? For me, it’s the same green smoothie as every other day: mango, spinach, water, and Bolthouse Green Goodness juice (because it’s a little creamier and makes the texture of the smoothie basically like an ice cream shake), but depending on the moment could also be sparkling water and coffee and homemade strawberry lemonade if we’re past 6pm.

Grab your tea, your iced coffee, your sparkling water… time for our monthly coffee date.

American Ninja Warrior

YEAH WE WENT THERE. Like, literally went there.

American Ninja Warrior recorded part of this next season here in Minneapolis, and Bjork’s actual-ninja-cousin got to compete, and we went and watched it live, and it was probably the highlight of my summer.

I can’t really say much about what happened and YOU KNOW THIS IS HARD FOR ME but I would just like you to keep an eye out for Leif, The Swedish Ninja, and his two top-nerd-level fans (hint: both wearing glasses) in the stands during the Minneapolis qualifiers on this season of American Ninja Warrior.

Any ANW fans or – better yet – ANW athletes out there?

Capsule Wardrobe, Maternity Edition

(It’s not like my closet was exactly that clean, okay? I definitely did move an overflowing laundry basket and a few random straggler socks out of the way for this picture.)

Remember how I was super into the capsule wardrobe thing? It’s still going strong. Here are the ideals that keep me devoted to the capsule concept:

• Buy things you 100% love
• Buy things that 100% fit
• Buy things that 100% fit your lifestyle
• Buy less

However: one small challenge to the capsule = being pregnant again.

With what my doctor nicely described as above average weight gain (shoutout to banana cream pies, raspberry crumble bars, and mocha peanut butter pie which will be coming to the blog soon) AND a larger-than-average 21 week baby in there, it’s safe to say that I have now fully transitioned to a completely maternity wardrobe. I know a lot of people hate maternity clothes, but I actually don’t mind them – a) comfortable, and b) special. I really longed to wear these clothes last year.

So the fact that they are maternity clothes is not a problem, but the extra few all-around pounds plus the limited choices in styles has made the categories of love and fit a tiiiny bit challenging.

So far, here’s what’s in my summer capsule:

• a few maternity layering tanks / tees from Target
• a few pairs of maternity shorts from A Pea in the Pod
• a few maternity tops from A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity (and I’m sorry but I really dislike that name, MM)

It’s a good start, but I still feel like I’m a little lacking. For example, I love to wear summer dresses, and I have yet to find a maternity dress that fits somewhere between the styles of draped tent and rubber band.

So, in terms of cute tops, dresses, and other summer maternity essentials… what are your suggestions for me? Where to shop, what to buy? Keep in mind I work from home and never wear anything remotely fancy and dog hair is a permanent fixture of my lifestyle.

Shhhower Cap

Do you guys wash your hair every day? People say it’s better for your hair – I say it’s easier for my life.

Enter: a shower cap. A real live shower cap. This is the one I bought.

I’m not going to say it’s cute. I know they try to sell it as cute and fashionable, but please. Come on. This really does not look cute on anyone, does it? Even floral patterns can’t make you NOT look like an instant mushroom-head.

But on the plus side, it’s awesome at keeping your hair fresh, smooth, and dry while still showering in between hair washes. It’s made from a really nice sturdy-but-soft-ish material and has a tight (but manageable) seal around the outside to prevent those little frizzies around your face. I love it. I use it on ALL Day Two and Day Three hair days.

Do you wash your hair every day? Every other? Yeah, we’re getting personal here.

Meal Prep

Maybe I’m trying to make up for lost time from the first trimester when the only thing I cooked or ate was deliciously cheap packets of noodle soup, or maybe I’m finally becoming an adult.

Either way, this month I’ve been a lot more intentional about meal prep and IT’S BEEN SO AWESOME! Less waste, more intentional grocery shopping, and healthier eating.

Here’s my system, if you can call it that.

On Sunday, I do these three things:

1. I prep overnight oats for breakfast to last for the week.
2. I prep one single lunch recipe to last for the week. Usually this is something simple like chicken and rice bowls, roasted veggies and tofu, summer soup, etc.
3. I look at the calendar to see how many times we’ll be eating dinner at home that week. Guess what? Usually 2-3 dinner recipes during the week is more than enough for the two of us. Once I pick the 2-3 recipes for the week, I order my groceries to be delivered via Instacart. And then I write our weekly meals into my bullet journal so I actually remember that I do, in fact, have a plan when I start to feel the pull towards frozen pizza.

With this (very loose) system, we are eating healthier, and by the end of the week, the fridge is clean and empty – just how I like it. We can eat out guilt-free during the weekend (brunch! brunch! brunch!) and re-start the system again on Sunday.

Boom! Look at me go, mom! I’m a real meal planner!

What do you guys do for meal prep and meal planning?

Facebook Group Fun

You know how sometimes Facebook feels a little blah?

This month we decided to revive our Facebook VIP Group in an effort to make Facebook fun again. Look at all these fun people who are a part of the group! They are awesome. And fun. Did I mention also: fun?

Want to look at pictures of everyone’s pets and see what kitchen tools people love and talk about what you’re making for dinner? This group is your place. It’s kind of like the coffee date, but more often.

The group is moderated by both me and Abby, our social media queen, and it’s been a blast. You should join us!

As usual, Sage would like to close out the coffee date with an inspirational message.

Sage wants you to know that, in her experience, sometimes the best you can do is lay on the couch and chill. Take a few deep breaths. Maybe let someone feed you a treat even though you are still working on those excess neck rolls from winter.

She knows maybe that’s what you need this week and she fully supports you in that.

Full of wisdom, that girl.

Hope you guys have had a really nice, sunny, flowery May! Bring on all the June!

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