End of Week Reading
If you follow me on instagram, you can probably tell that I like to read. I also take quite a few photos of Honey and Barley, but that’s a story for another post. Right now, I’m working my way through a few books, because it seems every time I request them from the library, they all come in at the same time. And then since I requested them, it usually means other people have requested them too, which means I can’t renew them. So, there’s lots and lots of reading in two week spurts. It’s like college only much better because I actually want to spend my time absorbing each and every single one of them. A few are for my upcoming Culinary Nutrition Certification program. I’m trying to get a little head-start on the reading, but mostly I’m just really excited to dig in.
I finally received the cookbooks It’s All Good by Gwyneth Paltrow and Isa Does It by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. It’s All Good is a beautiful, whole food, vegetable-heavy book, though it’s not entirely vegetarian or vegan. I’ve yet to try any of the recipes, but I love their simplicity and intention – it’s feel-good food in that light and energizing and nourishing sort of way. I thought the foreword by Dr. Habib Sadeghi was particularly lovely too:
“Food that has fantastic texture, depth of flavor, and an enticing aroma excites us and makes us happy. It thrills us, lights us up, and reminds us what it feels like to enjoy something from the soul level. …We feed our bodies through food, but we feed our souls through what makes us happy, through pleasure. Because food brings us so much pleasure, it’s not just essential for a healthy body, but a healthy spirit, too.”
Isa Does It, not surprisingly, is equally beautiful. Stunning, really. In terms of design and photography (hello, the genius that is Vanessa Rees), it’s one of my all-time favorites. You know a cookbook is good when you find yourself wanting to make every single recipe. Thus far, I have made the White Wine Risotto with Peas and Shiitake Bacon, and the Bhindi Masala (Okra) with Black Eyed Peas, topped with coconut milk yogurt and cilantro. They have both been phenomenal – easy, comforting, satisfying – and I would make them again and again, no modifications necessary.
As you can imagine, in addition to books, I spend quite a lot of my time reading online. The last couple of weeks, I started keeping a list of articles and videos that I thought were awesomely thought-provoking and I wanted to share with you. Here are a few that had an impact on me and that I hope will resonate with you…
Boho Perfectionism via Kate at Your Courageous Life:
“What worries me is that we’ve traded in Stepford Wife perfectionism for what I term “boho perfectionism.” The new standard to live up to involves proclaiming that you’re “messy” as you “live your dreams,” start a blog, and photograph your clean food. It’s not the quaint pressed aprons of the 1950′s housewife–that’s been traded in for the look that has a few “rough edges” to it. It’s the “I’m trying really hard to not look like I’m trying hard” thing.”
The Awful Awkwardness of Conference Calls – Visualized via Fast Company
No quote needed. Watch it. Then watch it again. It’s so accurate I can barely handle it.
Setting Yourself Up for the Life You Want via BootsnAll Indie Travel Guide:
“Most people roll, full steam ahead, into their twenties on the path their parents have set for them (or in direct opposition to it!) They do the next thing. They do the expected thing. They work, partner up, have kids, buy houses, accumulate school debt, car debt, credit card debt and write Facebook posts that highlight their awesomeness. They start out drinking, partying and celebrating freedom and quickly join the ranks of the responsible. …While it’s true that the road is laid out before you and we all must run, it’s also true that you’re creating your own road and every fork is a decision point, a point at which you decide the future of your world.”
…
That last article is haunting me in a good way. As Aaron and I are gearing up to buy an apartment in the near-ish future, it’s making me seriously question not only what I want, but what that means for every other aspect of our lives. I’m getting all Walden on Wheels. Okay, not really. But I am reconsidering a giant mortgage and wondering if there’s a more creative, simple, yet still very fulfilling way to live.
Tell me: what are you reading?
xo
Amanda
P.S. I’m so happy to say that Pickles & Honey has been nominated for a Homie Award on The Kitchn! If you have a spare minute, I would love your support. You can vote here (and for more than one blog – it’s a great list!). Voting closes tomorrow at midnight.
