The Weekly Mix: Life Updates, Culinary Adventures, and Inspirations

Hello, wonderful readers! How are you all doing? This week has been an absolute whirlwind, packed with exciting news, personal milestones, and a good dose of unexpected chaos. First and foremost, I want to extend my sincere apologies for the absence of new recipes this past week. Life threw a few curveballs our way, demanding my full attention, and I truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these busy times. Rest assured, delicious culinary creations will be making their return to the blog very soon!

A Spontaneous Move and Future Adventures

You might recall me hinting a few weeks ago about the possibility of a move, and I’m thrilled (and a little overwhelmed!) to officially confirm that it’s happening! This past Monday brought a sudden, time-sensitive decision that sent us scrambling with last-minute preparations – applications, lease documents, and a myriad of other moving details consumed our days. The most interesting part? We’re actually relocating to another apartment within our existing building. A fantastic unit unexpectedly became available this week, offering a slightly better floor plan and, crucially, much-needed additional storage space. Anyone who lives in an apartment knows the value of extra storage, so we are incredibly excited about this upgrade!

Of course, in typical “our life” fashion, this move is scheduled for just five days after we return from our much-anticipated trip to Japan in April. It seems we thrive on last-minute adventures and tight schedules! While the logistics will undoubtedly be a challenge, the thought of a more functional living space, especially after our incredible trip, makes it all worth it. We’re already envisioning how we’ll organize our new home and make the most of the improved layout. Stay tuned for updates on our moving journey – and perhaps some tips for managing a quick turnaround move!

Welcoming Baby Oscar: A Journey to New York City

Last weekend, we hopped on a plane to New York City to meet the newest, most adorable addition to our family: Oscar! At less than two weeks old, he’s already stolen our hearts. We spent precious time with my sister, brother-in-law, and our first nephew, Arthur, who is absolutely smitten with his baby cousin. Oscar is the cutest little thing, complete with surprisingly sharp, talon-like nails that definitely keep you on your toes during cuddles!

Naturally, I couldn’t resist bringing all of my camera gear along for the trip. On Saturday, we had a wonderful photo session with baby Oscar. He was an absolute champion throughout, allowing me to gently maneuver him into various poses and sleeping peacefully through most of it. It was a true success, and I captured so many beautiful, tender moments that we’ll cherish forever. Documenting these early days is so important, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to contribute to their family memories.

A little behind-the-scenes tip for fellow photographers: all of the photos from Oscar’s session were imported onto my phone directly via Wi-Fi from my Canon 6D (paired with my versatile 24-70mm lens). From there, I quickly edited them using the VSCO app. This workflow is an absolute game-changer for me. It allows me to send quick proofs and previews to excited family members almost instantly, long before I dive into the more extensive editing process on my computer. It’s perfect for sharing those immediate, heartwarming glimpses!

Whole30 on the Road: A Test of Willpower

On a somewhat related note to all this bustling activity, I successfully survived Whole30 while traveling! Today marks Day 12 of my Whole30 journey, which means I have 18 more days to go until the main elimination phase is complete. Of course, that doesn’t even count the crucial reintroduction phase that follows, which is just as important for understanding how different foods affect my body. Embarking on a restrictive eating plan like Whole30 is always a challenge, but doing it away from the comfort of your own kitchen truly tests your commitment.

Thankfully, navigating Whole30 while traveling was surprisingly smoother than I anticipated, largely due to careful planning and immense support. We ended up staying in every night, primarily because of the newborn, which eliminated the temptation of restaurant dining. We meticulously planned our dinners: one night, we made a delicious Mexican tortilla soup, and another night, we enjoyed homemade hamburgers – mine, of course, sans buns! My incredibly thoughtful sister also went above and beyond, preparing for my arrival by stocking her pantry with necessities like approved almond milk and other Whole30-friendly staples. And, naturally, I brought a ridiculous quantity of approved snacks with me, just in case of emergency cravings or unexpected delays.

Despite the ease in logistics, it wasn’t without its moments of pure temptation. I had to exhibit extreme willpower while watching everyone else indulge in a glorious bagel feast from the iconic Russ & Daughters, complete with frothy cappuccinos from Oslo Coffee, on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, I found myself eating eggs for what felt like the billionth time. Let’s just say that was not the highlight of my life. To be perfectly honest, if you can avoid traveling during your Whole30, I highly recommend it at all costs for the sake of your sanity and commitment!

For those interested in following my daily Whole30 meals, experiments, and behind-the-scenes moments, I’m continuing to share regular updates over on Instagram stories. It’s a great way to see what I’m actually eating and how I’m making it work day-to-day. Next week, I’ll be sharing more overall recaps and practical meal inspiration right here on the blog, so definitely look out for that if you’re curious about diving into Whole30 yourself or just looking for healthy meal ideas.

Happy 4th Birthday to Marley!

In other heartwarming news, this Saturday marks a very special occasion: Marley’s fourth birthday! I can hardly believe it’s been almost a full year since we welcomed this goofy, loving fur ball into our lives. He has brought so much joy, laughter, and endless cuddles to our home. His personality is truly unique, a perfect blend of playful energy and snuggly affection. He’s already got his festive party hat ready for the big day, and one of his sweet dog friends in the neighborhood even surprised him with one of those crazy, indestructible dino bones. It truly is a hard life for our spoiled pup, full of treats, toys, and endless belly rubs!

Curated Favorites: Things I’m Loving Right Now

To round off this eventful weekly mix, here are a few things that have captured my attention and sparked my interest recently:

• St. Patrick’s Day Culinary Inspiration: This weekend, Chicago’s river is being dyed green, signaling the start of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations! If you’re looking for delicious ways to celebrate, here are some festive and flavorful recipes from the archives to inspire your upcoming week:
  • Guinness Stout Cake with Baileys Cream Cheese Frosting: A rich, decadent cake perfect for a festive indulgence.
  • Roasted Asparagus Wheat Berry Salad with Arugula-Pistachio Pesto: A vibrant and healthy option, bringing fresh green hues to your table.
  • Irish Soda Bread Scones: A delightful twist on a classic, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
• Incredible Canine Adventures:
  • You absolutely must watch this short ESPN video about one dog’s unexpected journey with an adventure racing team. It’s a heartwarming and truly incredible tale of companionship and endurance that will leave you amazed.
  • Oh, and then prepare for pure cuteness overload by watching this video of a German Shepherd pup asleep in the back seat when its favorite song comes on. So freaking adorable, it’s guaranteed to make you smile! ❤️
• Cookbook Temptations: I poured through this incredible cookbook on Monday, and I’m not going to lie, I nearly quit Whole30 right then and there! The recipes looked so inviting and delicious. All I want to do right now is cultivate my own sourdough starter and bake fresh, crusty bread. It’s a post-Whole30 goal, for sure.
• Whole30-Friendly Finds:
  • These Paleo shrimp sweet potato cakes with avocado salsa caught my eye because I can actually eat them *right now* on Whole30! Hallelujah for delicious, compliant meals.
  • I’m also really enjoying Heather Christo’s daily diary posts on her Whole30 journey. It’s so relatable to read about someone else’s experiences and challenges during the program.
• A Healthy Muffin That Looks Good: This healthy blueberry bran muffin caught my attention not just for its nutritional value but because it actually looks *good* and incredibly appetizing, a rare find in the world of healthy baking sometimes!
• Eco-Friendly Kitchen Gadgets: I keep hearing amazing things about these Stasher bags! They’re reusable, silicone storage bags that are a fantastic alternative to single-use plastic. I’m always looking for ways to reduce plastic waste in my kitchen, so I’m very intrigued. Do any of you own one? I’d love to hear your experiences!
• Foodie Travel Inspiration: Loving the stunning images and tempting descriptions in this amazing foodie guide to Israel. It makes me want to pack my bags and embark on a culinary adventure!
• A Cutest Little Cake: How adorable is this Mexican Neapolitan cake? As strange as it sounds, I’m genuinely not craving anything sugary right now, even with all these tempting treats around me, thanks to Whole30!
• The Search for a New Rug: The *saddest* part of our upcoming move is that we simply cannot bring our current oriental rug with us; it unfortunately won’t fit the dimensions of the new apartment. This rug holds immense sentimental value, having been passed down to us from Connor’s mom and her own parents. We’ll be carefully putting it into storage, which means I’m officially on the hunt for new rugs to tie our new space together. Finding the perfect rug that balances style, comfort, and durability (especially with a dog!) is always a challenge. Please, if you have any favorite sources or brands for beautiful, high-quality rugs, I would absolutely love your recommendations!
• Dream Sofa Envy: If money were no object (and if I didn’t have a dog who makes himself at home on *every* piece of furniture), I would wholeheartedly buy this gorgeous velvet sofa from Anthropologie. I am completely enamored with this current velvet furniture trend – it adds such a luxurious and inviting touch to any living space. One day, perhaps!

And with that, I’m out for the week! Dump all of your thoughts, comments, and recommendations below. I always love hearing from you. Hope you all have a truly wonderful and relaxing weekend!