April was a quirky sort of month.
Maybe because of the fickle weather or the antsy mood with summer almost here, but not quite. Not to be outdone, I decided to follow suit with the quirkiness by reading in the bathtub. It feels like the right thing to do when things get a bit crazy. In the kitchen, I've been tinkering with old childhood favorites like mac-n-cheese to make a healthier, plant-based version.
What could be more comforting than a good book, a hot bath, and a bowl of mac-n-cheese? Well, maybe not all at the same time.
What about you?
What good things are you into lately? Below are a few things I've been reading (and cooking) around here.
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A quick, simple read reminds me why I love books, and why reading matters. When life feels overwhelming, books are a good comfort. Re-reading this gem was exactly what I needed. A perfect book for the bathtub as it's short and packed with all sorts of neat reading lists at the end.
Historical fiction is my jam and this one does not disappoint. Set in the late 1800s, this is the story of the women who crafted many of the famous glassworks from Louis Comfort Tiffany. As a kid, I remember being in awe of the Tiffany-style lamps. It was quite an inspiration to learn about the details and history behind the craft. This book is best described as a Hallmark movie meets a good historical tale.
I saw someone reading this book at a Florida cafe and knew I had to have it. If you are interested in developing a long-term health strategy for the next 10, 20, 30 years, this is for you. The book invites you to consider how to reverse engineer your future health for steps you can take right now. My husband and I have been listening/reading this together. Peter Attia's guidance is not hard and fast, but an inviting approach to think strategically about your health down the road.
Our church small group has been hanging out in John 13-17 as part of this study by Francis Chan. This is the first study for me where it's literally about sitting with the passages and creating some space to slowly and carefully consider what they mean. It is not about knowing more facts, information, or deep theology, but more about truly resting in scripture. A great reminder that sometimes a good Bible study isn't about studying at all.
Be a Plant-Based Woman Warrior: Live Fierce, Stay Bold, Eat Delicious: A Cookbook by Jane Esselstyn and Ann Crile Esselstyn
I fell in love with this hilarious mom/daughter duo cooking from their YouTube series. Maybe because I miss cooking with my mom and also because I adore their Midwest, no-nonsense approach to healthy food. It's hard to believe Ann is almost 89 years old, as she is zippy and vibrant as can be. Lately, I've been craving childhood favorites like mac-n-cheese and finding a healthier alternative. Here is their "Mac & Cash" recipe video, or the cookbook version with chickpeas is "Easy Cheesy Chickpeas" - both create an amazing "cheese" sauce for your favorite macaroni pasta or power bowl. Good twists inspired by a childhood classic favorite.
Check out all the titles at your local library or at My Favorite April Reads 2024 at Bookshop.org. I'm a huge Bookshop.org as it benefits the local independent bookstore of your choosing with each purchase.
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