Sunday Reading V.10

Another week has come and gone! I’m actually struggling to even remember what I did this week. It was one of those weeks when Tuesday felt like Thursday and Thursday felt like Tuesday. Let’s see, I had a Shake Shack date with my local blogger gals on Monday night. There’s a group of us that have been getting together every now and then to check out new places in Lexington and share ideas and blogging advice. For a while, there were several girls who I followed on Instagram and would chat with through the app so much that it felt like we were friends, but we had never actually met in person! It’s pretty cool that we’ve been able to become friends in real life. My family and friends have been so supportive of my blog, but sometimes I feel like I’m talking a different language when I try to explain “shadow-banning” and other blogger phenomenons to them. There’s definitely a bond between fellow bloggers and I’m so grateful for the friendships I’ve formed. Community over competition, people, it will help you out more than you know!

I also attended Taste of the Bluegrass for work on Friday. BHG had an awesome set-up, if I do say myself (#biased) AND we won best appetizer for OBC Kitchen’s Bacon in a Glass! If you’ve never tried it, you need to get to OBC stat. It’s honey-bourbon glazed bacon with a peanut butter dipping sauce and it’s just plain addictive. On the blog, I shared about my time in Bangkok – check it out here if you’re curious about my trip. I took the rest of the weekend to catch up on things around the house, test some recipes for the blog and binge-watch Game of Thrones. I just started rewatching in preparation for the new season; who else can’t wait for July?! I ended the weekend with church and brunch at Lockbox.

Highs & Lows

High: I took a CycleBar class at the Summit on Wednesday. I know it probably doesn’t seem like it, but I actually love workout classes! I get such a high off of a great class. I used to take fancy spin classes all the time when I lived in NYC, so I’m excited about having a new studio in Lexington. Rides are free for the next few weeks – I would definitely recommend to check it out!

Low: This rain is really putting a damper (ha ha get it?!) on my patio dining plans.

Links I Love

Why you’re still hungry even though you ate a “healthy” breakfast. I’m guilty of a few of these – I’ve started to be more conscious of what I’m putting in my smoothies and will ask my favorite juice places to leave out the sweeteners in smoothies and acai bowls. I am a huge fan of banana and egg pancakes as a healthy gluten-free alternative for breakfast. Get my recipe here!

Everyday Middle East. I love this Instagram project with the goal of showing everyday life in the Middle East and breaking stereotypes. I know social media can get a bad rep, but it can also be used for so much good and connects you with people all over the world 🙂

9 Pesto Recipes– Alternative ideas to traditional pesto. The power is calling my name!

My tea kettle is pointless.. apparently microwaving your tea is healthier.

Forget about waiting in line.. thanks to Tasting Table now you can make a Shake Shack burger at home! What about those cheese fries though…

Thinking I need to make these Sesame Noodles soon.

The best countries to visit when spending USD. I’d never heard of Palau before, but now it’s on the bucket list!

How to hike Machu Picchu in one day. Also on my bucket list!

Quote of the week

“Try to learn to breathe deeply, really to taste food when you eat, and when you sleep, really to sleep. Try as much as possible to be wholly alive with all of your might, and when you laugh, laugh like hell. And when you get angry, get good and angry. Try to be alive. You will be dead soon enough.” Ernest Hemingway. I’ve got the food thing down, but need to work on the sleep. Anyone else on the melatonin train?

That’s all for this week, friends! Hope you have a great one. I’m headed to Atlanta tomorrow for a work conference – anyone have restaurants I should check out??

Biscuits & blessings,

Leels