{things i’m loving}

How about a less heavy post?

I always love it when bloggers list things that they are currently reading, listening to, wearing, trying, eating/drinking, etc.   I’ve discovered some great books and recipes and tips through posts like those, so I thought I’d do something similar.  If they cool kids are doing it, I’m usually awkwardly NOT doing it, but I’ll make an exception. Here are some things that I’m currently digging:

{Podcasting}

Okay, so it’s not like I’ve never listened to podcasts before.  Back when I was running regularly and marathon training I listened to a couple of running and lifestyle podcasts with each 6 mile+ run simply to help pass the time.  When I got up to 2 hour runs, the podcasts helped to divide up the time.  But since I’ve given up running to get my arthritis under control, I haven’t really listened to anything besides the radio while taking my son to and from school.  My 17 year old van didn’t play CD’s and didn’t have a line out for an iPod anyway, so I just made do with the radio for long trips.  BUT, I have a new van (out of necessity because the old one died on the interstate….that was fun.) and I can play all sorts of media because I don’t know if you knew this but vehicles have come a LONG way in 17 years.  So I started listening to Jamie Ivey’s Happy Hour Podcast and I’m totally hooked. I’ve since subscribed to another one on marriage. I have been looking for a way to put good stuff into my ears (I can’t always sit and read when my hands are busy), so it’s great for the car, cooking, cleaning, and getting ready in the mornings.  Jamie’s podcast is inspiring and has reminded me to widen my world a little and get back to my goals.  That sounds cheesy, but when you listen to all these normal moms and wives that she interviews who are doing great things with their gifts, you’ll be inspired, too.  You’ll love the Happy Hour!

 

{Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Honey Mints}

 

Since going on a paleo/AIP/No Starch diet last fall, I’ve found that there is precious little that I can eat without lots of preparation.  As far as packaged food goes, I haven’t discovered anything because starch is usually one of the first ingredients.  In one of the Facebook groups I’m a part of for my autoimmune disease, someone suggested these candies from TJ’s because they only have 3 ingredients and all three are acceptable on my diet.  I was in St. Louis a few weeks ago and bought three bags, stashing them in the freezer as the person recommended.  They taste a lot like York Peppermint Patties, but a bit less sweet, which is fine since I don’t eat a ton of sugar anymore anyway.  The sad thing is that this is my last bag.  I won’t head back to TJ’s for a few more weeks, so I’ll have to start rationing.  They’re really good with a cup of coffee.

 

{Trying New Recipes}

Since acclimating to the diet for my autoimmune disease, I’ve gotten into a pretty big cooking rut and I just make the same things over and over because they’re safe and don’t trigger my arthritis. But eating the same things over and over get old and are usually temptations for me to cheat because I’m BORED of the same safe foods.  My arthritis hasn’t been as well controlled over the past two months for this very reason.  So, I’ve done a lot of searching and pinning and I’m trying some new recipes.  The Thai Turkey Meatballs were kind of a flop last night, but at least they were something different.  The Bragg’s Aminos in place of soy sauce made it waaaayy too salty.  But, we’re trying the Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken tonight, and I’m looking forward to good results.

 

Being a big reader, I’ve got several books to recommend, and I want to tell you what’s on my reading list these days, but that deserves its own post later this week.

What things are you currently loving?

What are your favorite podcasts?  Please don’t say Serial!  (Why do people love Serial so much?  I listened to about 6 episodes and HATED them.  I want the time back that I wasted listening to them.)

Tell me something you’re enjoying these days!