Embracing the Weekend: A Weekly Mix of Wellness, Culinary Delights, and Future Adventures

The highly anticipated weekend has finally arrived, bringing with it a wave of excitement and a promise of delightful moments! Here in Chicago, we’re celebrating not just the arrival of Friday, but also the unexpected gift of glorious weather, with temperatures projected to soar to a balmy 60 degrees. This weekend, however, holds an even more significant personal milestone: it marks my last weekend on the Whole30 program! Can you believe it? The journey has been quite an experience, and I’m genuinely astonished at how quickly this challenging yet rewarding dietary reset has flown by.

As promised to many of you following along, I am actively planning to share a comprehensive recap and my final thoughts on the entire Whole30 experience in the coming week or so. It’s truly incredible how time can feel so relative during such a structured challenge. On one hand, it genuinely feels like an eternity since I last savored a piece of cheese or indulged in any non-compliant foods; the cravings, at times, felt immense. Yet, simultaneously, it feels as though I’ve only just embarked on this journey. For those of you who might be growing weary of hearing about my Whole30 updates, I completely understand and assure you that the end of these dedicated posts is indeed very near. Thank you all so much for your patience and for “putting up with me” through this intense period of dietary change!

On a slightly nerve-wracking but exciting note, I have to navigate the social minefield of brunch out in the real world tomorrow morning. Dining out while strictly adhering to Whole30 guidelines is, frankly, no walk in the park. Most restaurant menus are packed with hidden sugars, dairy, and grains, making it incredibly difficult to find compliant options. So, please, send all your good luck my way! Wish me strength and success in making healthy choices. Speaking of delicious and compliant meals, if you happened to miss it, I recently shared a recipe for this incredible Mediterranean Chicken Salad yesterday. The simple name truly doesn’t capture the explosion of flavors and textures packed into one vibrant bowl. It has quickly become one of my absolute favorite go-to meals, bursting with fresh, aromatic ingredients that transport you straight to the Mediterranean coast.

Switching gears to something that brings immense joy, how utterly adorable is this photo I managed to capture of our big puppy, Marley, hanging out with a whole crew of his dog friends this week? I simply cannot get over it! The expressions are priceless—especially that little chihuahua’s skeptical gaze, juxtaposed with Marley’s happy-go-lucky demeanor. Dogs possess an incredible ability to make life so incredibly entertaining, filling our days with laughter, unconditional love, and endless heartwarming moments. Their interactions, their unique personalities, and their sheer exuberance remind us to find joy in the simple things.

In other wonderful news from the culinary world, my incredibly talented blogger friend Christina whipped up this week’s lemon tahini sauce, and her absolutely adorable baby, Camille, couldn’t get enough of it! I am completely smitten with that little one; her enthusiasm for food is infectious. Seriously, have you seen this video of Camille enjoying the sauce? It’s pure gold and instantly makes my day. It’s a testament to how versatile and universally appealing a well-made sauce can be.

Connor and I recently settled in to watch the documentary Sustainable on Netflix this week, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a fascinating and eye-opening exploration of the sustainable food movement. As an added bonus, the film specifically highlighted a farm located just outside of Chicago, which made it feel even more relevant and personal to us. It also featured many of my all-time favorite chefs, including culinary legends like Rick Bayless and Dan Barber, who shared invaluable insights into ethical farming practices and innovative cooking. I wholeheartedly recommend watching this documentary; it’s incredibly informative and inspiring, shedding light on the vital importance of conscious food choices.

On a more glamorous note, word on the street is that Ellen DeGeneres is selling her house, and after seeing the photos, I can confirm that it’s absolutely spectacular. Her exquisite taste in design and real estate never ceases to amaze!

Speaking of food revolutions, I am delighted to report that butter has finally made a well-deserved comeback! For years, it was unfairly demonized, but scientific understanding has evolved, and the culinary world (and our taste buds) couldn’t be happier. There’s truly nothing quite like the rich, nuanced flavor of real butter, whether it’s enhancing a simple slice of toast or adding depth to a complex sauce. This resurgence in appreciation for natural fats is a welcome shift in our collective approach to healthy eating.

My cherished bread starter is thriving, alive and well, bubbling away happily! I’m eagerly anticipating dedicating some time to baking with it next week, probably whipping up some rustic sourdough loaves. In the interim, I’ve found myself completely captivated and obsessing over these incredible artisanal bread Instagram accounts (yes, they absolutely exist, and they are glorious!). If you’re looking for some doughy inspiration, check out @maurizio, @mydailysourdoughbread, and @blondieandrye. Their feeds are a mesmerizing blend of crusty loaves, intricate scoring patterns, and the pure artistry of sourdough baking, fueling my own baking aspirations.

Have you ever wondered what culinary masters actually eat when they’re not creating gastronomic wonders? This sneak peek into what chefs and food writers eat for lunch reveals that it’s not always the glamorous, Michelin-star experience one might imagine. Often, their meals are surprisingly simple, quick, and practical, reflecting the demanding nature of their profession rather than an elaborate culinary display. It’s a refreshing reminder that even the experts appreciate efficiency and comfort when it comes to their own daily nourishment.

And speaking of deliciousness, you absolutely have to behold those incredible chocolate puddles in these coconut oil chocolate chip cookies! That perfect melt, where the chocolate pools and glistens, is truly a sight to behold and promises an utterly decadent bite. It’s the kind of visual detail that elevates a simple cookie into an irresistible treat.

In two short weeks from today, we’ll be embarking on an incredible adventure to Japan! The excitement is almost palpable; I am so, so incredibly thrilled for this trip. I have a strong feeling that this will undoubtedly be one of the most unique, culturally rich, and unforgettable travel experiences of my entire life. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, and the exquisite culinary landscape, I anticipate every moment will be filled with wonder and discovery.

This upcoming international journey also means that the whirlwind of moving apartments is rapidly approaching, with less than four weeks until we relocate! It’s a lot to juggle, but we did receive some wonderfully unexpected news that has eased a significant burden: our current living room rug, which we adore, actually does just barely fit into the new living room space! This is a massive relief, as it means we are officially off the often-stressful and time-consuming rug hunt. I had my eye on this beautiful one from Rejuvenation, and while it was a tough decision, the universe seems to have made it for us.

As the weather warms and spirits lift, what could possibly sound better right now than a refreshing charred pineapple margarita? The smoky sweetness of charred pineapple combined with the zesty kick of a classic margarita sounds like the perfect concoction to celebrate the weekend and dream of warmer days ahead. It’s a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic that I’m eager to try.

Earlier this year, I confess I somewhat abandoned my bullet journal practice, opting instead for the more structured approach offered by this planner. While the Nourished Planner has been excellent for keeping me organized, seeing Tracy’s inspiring bullet journal layout ideas is seriously making me reconsider and tempting me to dive back into the creative freedom and personalized structure of bullet journaling. There’s something so appealing about designing your own system.

And finally, for a truly indulgent yet surprisingly quick treat, these homemade almond croissants can be whipped up in less than an hour, thanks to the magic of puff pastry. The idea of warm, flaky, almond-filled pastries so easily accessible is simply irresistible. Say no more, I’m already envisioning my next baking project!

And with that, I’m officially signing off for this week’s mix. I would absolutely love to hear all of your thoughts, plans, and discoveries below in the comments section. What are you excited about this weekend? What have you been enjoying or trying lately? I hope each and every one of you has a truly wonderful and fulfilling weekend!