August Wrap-Up: Favorites from the Month

This post is coming to you hot! 🔥 So hot that I literally just finished writing this the moment before it went live.  Basically, I almost skipped writing an August favorites post until I realized that August has 31 days!  Huzzah!  That extra day gave me the time I needed to coagulate all of my favorite things from food, entertainment, and more!  What have I been so busy with that I couldn’t write my favorites down?  I can’t tell you all quite yet!  Call me superstitious but I just like to get my ducks in a line before I make any announcements. 

Also, I hope to get blog posts back on a regular schedule.  I try to put out two a week but content and timing varies.  I’ve got ideas for my next few posts but I just need to actually WRITE them.  They are coming soon.  If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll be sure to get the latest and greatest there first!  Anyway, let’s get on with my August Wrap-Up!

What I’ve Been Reading

How to End the Game of Catching Up

I am constantly seeking ways to improve myself.  One of the most common thoughts that come to my head is: as soon as I get caught up with this, then I’ll have more time to do what I want.  The mistake here is in putting off doing what I want in favor of things that are always going to be there.  “How to End the Endless Game of Catching Up” over on Be More With Less describes exactly that.

Apparently, I’m a Highly Sensitive Person.

Who knew?  Okay, I kind of always had a feeling growing up that I was extremely sensitive.  I’m sensitive to a sales associate at a clothing store asking me if I need help the way others seem to be sensitive about the Game of Thrones halfway season finale.  Both are startling (so I hear. I don’t watch GOT) but I will elicit a strong reaction to even the most miniscule of circumstances.  So, I try to stay away from labels but I can’t help but relate and feel less alone when reading articles that seem to describe my life.  I might cry over spilled milk but knowing there are other HSPs out there doing the same thing is comforting.  Oh, and there’s a quiz here if you’re wondering if you could also be highly sensitive.

A Positive Spin on Bad Habits

On a funnier note, I often refer back to this Man Repeller post just to make me feel like less of a screw-up.  I mean, I may be incapable of making a decision about ANYTHING but that makes me open-minded to possibilities and I can live with that.  Sort of.  What’s your bad trait?

Movie and TV Favorites

Atomic Blonde

I am a sucker for a female-led film and this one delivers.  Charlize Theron plays a spy on a mission to recover a list of names during 1980s Germany, at a time when there is much instability surrounding the Berlin Wall.  It’s spy against spy in this thriller/action film because it is hard to know who can be trusted.  The dark and punk setting adds much to the overall vibe and theatrics of the film which leads like a wicked graphic novel as it switches from scene to scene.  Plus, Theron can throw and take some serious sucker punches all while strutting around in uber-cool outfits.  There is no other way to describe Atomic Blonde except: badass.  As a disclaimer, the film isn’t very kid-friendly due to sex, language, and violence.

Orphan Black

On the smaller screen, I’ve recently started watching the series Orphan Black thanks to my Direct TV On Demand.  (We recently switched satellite providers and I’ve finally got access to On Demand!  Yay!)  It is about a young woman who is trying to clean up her act to regain custody of her daughter but instead figures out that there’s a whole lot more to her origins.  She engages in some duplicitous behavior and discovers she is one of many clones that look exactly like she does.  It’s got drama, suspense, a super-cute gay friend that I wish was mine, and a story line that keeps twisting and turning.  It’s Canadian entertainment at its finest.  Earlier this year the show wrapped but I’m just getting around to seeing it and I’m hooked!  Also, I’m only on season 2 right now so, please, keep the spoilers to yourself.

Food Favorites

Cookie and Kate’s Cookbook + White Bean Pesto (Dip)

You guys know I’m obsessed with the Cookie and Kate Love Real Food Cookbook.  If you don’t, you must be new here.  Hey, happy to have you here, new friends! 👋 Anyway, I’ve been cooking up different things from the cookbook like the Colorful Weeknight Burrito Bowls and Chickpea Tikka Masala with Green Rice.  The recipes are so substitute-friendly for allergies, vegetarian/vegan, and, most-importantly, they are all majorly delicious! 

Plus, I tested out a wicked White Bean Pesto from the Crostini recipe in her cookbook and OMG, it is SO GOOD.  Honestly, I like dips but most of them just make me want to eat pita chips or crackers.  The white bean pesto spread actually works as a delicious dip for veggies!  As you can see, I was so hooked on these roasted veggie bowls with white bean pesto dip.

Half Baked Harvest’s Mean Green Detox Salad

I try to cycle sync my food but powerhouse ingredients found in this salad, like kale, broccoli, chickpeas, and avocado, are good anytime!  Y’all know I don’t often repeat meals but I can tell you I’ve been very hooked on this one!  I’ve switched up the fruit, too, and you can’t go wrong!  Oh, and you’ll want to double the lemon tahini dressing because it’s so freaking tasty!  

Sweet Potato and Cinnamon Peach Smoothie

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYdwDxug6s3/?taken-by=melaniemakesithappen

I’ve yet to post the recipe for this one.  Is it mean of me to include it in my favorites?  If so, I’m sorry for being a tease but, the recipe is coming soon!  I’ve been trying to creatively pair WomanCode approved foods for my cycle and this smoothie is loaded with multiple luteal phase appropriate goods.  Stay tuned!

What I’m Listening To

The Balanced Blonde’s Soul on Fire Podcast

Have you ever spoken to someone and they mention feelings or ideas that you have but you’ve never said out loud?  That’s how I feel listening to the Soul on Fire Podcast.  Jordan and her guests have all been through some miraculous and difficult experiences on their route to finding their passions.  I truly find inspiration in each episode and that just motivates me more to find my path.  I’ve been mentioning how I want to change some things in my life and this podcast is honestly a big part of that reason.  I’ve been flip-flopping around through episodes but some of my favorites so far are the episodes with: Jonathan Albrecht, Jeannette Ogden, and Emma Mildon.

Jessica Murnane’s One Part Podcast

I had heard of Jessica Murnane when she released her cookbook but it wasn’t until I listened to her episode on The Balanced Blonde’s Podcast that I decided to check her out.  Jessica’s One Part Podcast is similar to Soul on Fire but more concentrated on specific topics with each guest.  I’d say OPP is educational but not in a boring way!  Here are some episodes I’ve found fascinating so far: The Hidden Dangers in Healthy Food and Doing Your Dharma.

Magical Moment of August

I’m going to be a bit vague here for the sake of privacy.  A friend of mine has been going through some wild things the past few years.  He tried any drug he could get his hands on and abused all the substances, most notably alcohol.  Of course, he was as vibrant and as could be when he would talk to me because he did not want to let on how much of a mess he felt like.  I could see what he was doing to himself but we’re all adults here so you can’t force anyone to change their ways.  They have to want that for themselves.  Finally, he did. 

I was talking to him on the phone just recently and he had a different zest about him.  Over the years, he has left out key details about his life.  In fact, he almost wasn’t going to tell me what had happened to lead up to his present, newfound passion for life.  He said it was bad and he tries to just tell me the good things.  That really struck me and, frustrated, I said:

You can’t just tell me about the good things that happen to you.  Everyone has good and bad experiences that happen to them but you can’t learn from them if you’re only hearing the good part. 

You know, or something like that.  It made me think about how on social media is largely comprised of accomplishments, flattering pictures, and best case scenarios.  Why?  Well, people (myself included) like to share the GOOD things.  That’s understandable but, if you ever have the chance, asks someone how they got to where they are.  I bet you’ll find out the “bad” or less glamorous experiences that make up their story are a hell of a lot more worthwhile.

If you’re a regular reader, you may notice that my monthly wrap-up posts change depending on what favorites I have.  Like, for August, there are no product favorites!  What?  I know.  I’ve kind of been a shut-in this past month because summertime is like the equivalent of walking into an oven broiler where I live.  No joke.  That’s why I’ve been busting out so many smoothie recipes—‘cause that is all I want to eat!  Anyway, I hope to have good news (and stories to go with them) to share with you all soon. 

Have a happy month of September!