5 Things: Easy Recipes for the Fourth of July

Since we'll be traveling tomorrow, I'm going to share what would typically be a "Friday" post with you guys! 

There are so many yummy things to make/eat/drink for this holiday. It's summer, so all kinds of deliciousness is in season (namely berries, my favorite) - and that leads us to some perfect summer bites. Click the photos for quick links to each recipe!

1. Ina Garten's Flag Cake

Okay, okay, so this isn't EASY. But it's is a classic. I'm sure you've seen it on many celebrity Instagrams in years past (cough Taylor Swift cough). If you don't want to pipe the frosting in for the white stripes, just use whipped cream. My favorite part about this recipe is that it includes over two sticks of butter. Because #yolo. 

2. Cucumber Margarita

Still packs all the punch of a traditional marg, but is SUPER refreshing and crisp thanks to the infusion of cucumber in the tequila. Dangerous, because they are quite drinkable. Proceed with patriotic caution. 

3. Pasta Caprese Salad

Let someone else handle the main course - if you bring this side, you'll be the talk of the party. It's incredibly easy to make, and is a nice, light antidote to the heavier dishes that will inevitably be served. 

4. Martha's Firecracker Popsicles

This is a great one to involve kids in making. The whole thing takes under 30 minutes - all you need are the ingredients, some popsicle trays, and some popsicle sticks! The yogurt base makes them super creamy instead of watery, so they'll last even in the heat of the day. 

5. One-Pitcher Sangria

Had to add at least one more cocktail. Ha! This is a "dump" recipe - you dump everything in, and voila! Nothing beats a cold drink on a hot day. 

I hope everyone has something fun planned for this weekend, and that, especially in an international climate that includes refugees and airport shootings, we all take more than just a few second this weekend to consider the enormous gift of living in the United States. It's overwhelming. 

Love y'all!! 

Bikini Body.

We're approaching a big holiday weekend in which I, and I'm guessing many of you, will be in a swimsuit. 

Oh, the anxiety that comes with being in a swimsuit. 

The process to even GET into a swimsuit. Dieting. Working out. Spray tan. New bikini for a new season after trying on what seems like 400 of them. And, of course, it's best to try on bathing suits right after you've eaten a big meal and in bad lighting. That's just a personal tip from me to you. 

For the Fourth of July, Jordan and I always travel down to his family's house in coastal Alabama. We always have SO much fun - this is one of the trips I look forward to every year. We get to see family we haven't seen for a while, drink on the pier, eat delicious food, play board games - it's one of my very favorite weekends. 

Because I've been going to Pure Barre for a few months, I decided I'd really kick it into high gear and get into my best shape for the 4th - my best bikini body. I've been going to as many classes as I can, eating clean - you know the drill.

Over the weekend, I had a little flare-up with an old ankle injury (you can read about that here). My ankle has been really bugging, so I've been tentative to work it out in case that led to re-injury. 

So here's where I get vulnerable and confess something kind of ridiculous. For the last three days, I've been fixated on how disappointed I am that I wasn't able to get my last week of hardcore workouts in. I've been thinking about what my body could've looked like, and probably won't now, without those last few calorie-burners to (as we say in PB) "lift, tone, burn." I went to bed thinking about it last night. I woke up thinking about it this morning. 

*needle scratch* 

What. The hell. 

When I got up today and one of my first thoughts was insecurity about my figure, I realized how out-of-control I'd let this fixation about my "4th of July workout goals" spiral. The fact that my physical appearance is driving whether I can imagine myself having a fun weekend is so silly.

It is really easy for me to get sucked into thinking about "bikini occasions" as moments when, if I don't look my best, I won't have a good time. It's even easier for me to get so wrapped up in looking my best that I forget that IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY MATTER. 

When I think back on vacations when I was in a bathing suit (my bachelorette party, beach trips with my family, my honeymoon with Jordan, etc.), my first thought is never about how much I weighed or how I looked. It's about the hysterical laughter shared among best friends, card games around the kitchen table, the incredible sunset meal we shared in St. Lucia, respectively. Not one of my first thoughts has anything to do with my appearance. I was way too "in the moment" to have time to worry about the way I looked. I was living my life! And that's what I remember. 

Now, I'll admit: there have been times when I've looked back at pictures of myself in a swimsuit and thought, "Yikes. Could've tightened that up, Mary Catherine." 

But the truth is, that's not what's important. The other truth is, NOBODY ELSE CARES. 

Nobody's memories of you being at a specific event are going to be colored by what you look like in a swimsuit. No one's. They're going to remember the time they spent with you, that joke you told, you spectacularly falling off a paddleboard, the great new game you introduced to everyone. 

If you, like me, are fixating on your bikini body this weekend, here are some things I'm going to be doing to combat that. Maybe they'll work for you, too! 

1. Don't talk about it. I don't mean the off-handed, subtle complaint to your boyfriend/husband/mother. I mean the talking about it where you drop a little remark about how you "wish you were in better shape," or something similar, into each conversation you have. You know this trick, ladies. It's the whole "I'll point out I have a zit before anyone else has a chance," thing. Let's just skip that, shall we? 
2. Treat yourself. There are certain things that always help me feel a little more "together" when I'm in a bikini. Getting a spray tan is one of them. Throwing on a pair of earrings or bringing a great cover up is another one. Maybe style a funky braid! It's funny how taking that extra time to show yourself a little love can make you feel like a million bucks. Make it a "look," then work that look, girl! 
3. Choose gratefulness instead. Because, are we alive? Then we should be grateful. We're beautiful, wonderful people, and though it's easy to get wrapped up in the airbrushed/Facetuned/color corrected universe of Instagram where no one has so much as a frown line, LIFE is what happens in the messy, imperfect, non-photographed moments. We have air in our lungs, and strong legs to carry us from place to place, and arms to reach out and hold people, and eyes to see the faces of those we love most -- not to mention having a weekend where we celebrate the blessing of freedom - yeah. Suddenly a bathing suit seems pretty insignificant. We're alive. We're here. What good does it do us to waste time with the silliness of something as impermanent as physical appearance?

So, whatever your bikini body looks like - whether it's exactly what you wanted or far from it - can I just say something to you (and to me)? 

You look great. You are so loved. You're full of moxie. Now go have a margarita and jump in the pool, because that's just the sort of thing you'll always remember you did. 

Happy (early) 4th of July!

Greenies

I posted about this on my personal Facebook page on Saturday, but since I got such a strong response on Facebook, I thought I'd re-post in case it helps anyone new.

Whenever I leave for work, I give Tom Hanks (our dog) a treat. For the last 6 weeks or so, I've been giving him a Greenies treat a day. (We usually fill a Kong with peanut butter and give that to him, but a Greenie was so quick and easy that we made the switch.) 

In the last couple of weeks, I've noticed him gagging a lot. Two of his bottom teeth have broken off. He's been having a hard time swallowing and (sorry for the overshare) using the bathroom. On both Friday and Saturday of this past week, he threw up. So I finally called our vet, since Greenies were the only change in his diet. 

Once I said the word, "Greenies," our vet immediately knew they were the culprit. She told us that Greenies, like rawhide treats, can splinter off after being eaten. Instead of breaking down like normal food, they stay whole and snap off into sharp pieces, causing dogs to choke and vomit. In the worst-case scenario, dogs are rushed to the vet to undergo intestinal surgery because these treats have gotten lodged in their intestinal tract. 

She told us that Greenies are a huge no-no at their office, and that they actively discourage their clients from buying them. 

When I posted this on my personal Facebook page, I was overwhelmed with the number of people who commented that have had similar experiences: Greenies = sick dogs.  

Of course, I immediately felt horribly guilty that the reason my dog was sick had everything to do with what I'd been feeding him. I mean, who am I, the mom in The Sixth Sense? Poisoning the soup? (Anyone? Anyone?) It's been a little over 24 hours, and since Tom Hanks has stopped eating Greenies, the vomiting has stopped completely. 

So here's my Public Service Announcement about these treats. If you've been giving them to your dog, stop and watch for signs of retching, gagging, vomiting or (sorry) constipation. Those are all signs you may need to take your dog in to see your vet. 

It's terrible that there are products out there that can be so harmful to our little pups, who feel like family - especially since the back of the box boasts that these treats are "Safe and easily digestible!" But, as with anything, information is power. Good to know before we'd used the treats for any longer than we had. 

The more you know! 

5 Things: Best Restaurants in Asheville

Summer is cranking up, which means vacationing is about to start in earnest. 

I have friends text me a lot asking about great places to eat or grab drinks in Asheville, so I thought I'd publish a list here in hopes that anyone planning a trip could take advantage! 

(This list features some of Asheville's more upscale restaurants, but I'll definitely do another post later this summer that includes more casual dining - because nothing beats a greasy piece of pizza, am I right??)

1. Limone's. 

Easily my favorite restaurant in Asheville. Limone's is the best place I've ever eaten upscale Mexican food, and every person I've taken here has been gobsmacked. This cozy spot, seating no more than 75 or so people at a time, is perfect for whatever occasion - date night, dinner with family, drinks with a friend. The lobster nachos are a must-have, and if you have a sweet tooth, definitely order the pot of house-made hot chocolate, served with a side of homemade churros. I mean, come. ON. 

2. The Admiral. 

Oh-so-amazing. Your socks will be knocked clean off. During my last visit there, I got to enjoy beet tartare with smoked honey sauce and goat cheese, a course of bone marrow, and a dessert featuring house-made deconstructed s'more. ...S'MORE. Yep. You heard me. (Personal perk: I'm friends with the pastry chef. #winning.) It's fine dining in a wonderfully comfortable setting. The Admiral is another small restaurant - almost missable when driving past it - which makes it even cooler that you get more for your money here: at 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, the tables and chairs are cleared out of the dining room and it turns into an old-school dance party. And when I say old-school, I mean it - the DJ spins oldies tracks you've never heard. Trust me - you'll have the time of your life. 

3. Nightbell. 

Chef Katie Button owns two famous restaurants here - Nightbell and Cúrate. Cúrate gets a little more press and is much harder to get into, but I think Nightbell is every bit as good. Serving gourmet tapas, Nightbell's atmosphere is as enticing as its menu. And the tapas are some of the most creative dishes I've ever eaten. When Jordan and I went, we started with a "Deviled Egg," which was a whole egg shell containing an egg, pickled trout, and topped with a delicious corn sabayon. It blew us away, and it will blow you away, too. The cocktails are as creative as the menu, so be prepared to drink your weight. 

4. Sunset Terrace at Grove Park Inn

I know, I know. Natives of Asheville will be rolling their eyes at this addition, because there is certainly better food in this city. But if you're visiting, this is one of the best ways to experience how truly magnificent the Blue Ridge Mountains are. Book a table at sunset and watch the orange glow disappear behind the mountain range - if it doesn't take your breath away, I'll pay for your dinner. 

5. Zambra. 

Another incredible tapas restaurant. Like most menus in Asheville, this one is designed around what's seasonal and locally sourced. There's a menu of the items that stay year-round, and a separate menu of the seasonal and DELICIOUS options that rotates. The atmosphere here is dark, full of twinkle-lights, and super fun for a girl's night out or a date night. If it's warm and you can get a seat outside, even better - you'll feel like you're dining in an Italian alleyway somewhere. Great service and WONDERFUL food. 

Other great places: Bouchon, Posana, Cucina 24, and Table. 

Happy eatin'! 

For Your Entertainment.

Okay, so it's mid-week. We're probably slumping, reaching for the weekend, but it's just not quite here yet. 

We need something to make us laugh. 

One day over a year ago, Mom and I were on a big road trip, and unfortunately for her, I found this app called Heliumbooth. I spent conservatively 4 hours entertaining myself (and making her want to drive of a cliff) by making video after video. I thought they'd been lost forever when my hard drive crashed last year, but lo and behold, they survived. 

Like roaches. Because I would deem these videos "roach" quality in terms of entertainment. Like: 

Waaaaaaaay up here is Seinfeld, Curb your Enthusiasm, and the like...

...about right here is "Charlie Bit My Finger..."

...and waaaaaaaaay down here is these videos. (Except pretend they're like down on the floor of wherever you're sitting to read this. Or standing. Whatever works.)

If you watch these and think, "I don't get it." Then you're doing it right. There's nothing to get. They're just absurd characters I made up. 

Still. I don't have anything else to post today, so here they are. Oh God, I hope I still have friends after this. If you think I am a weird loser, you're right. 

SHUT UP AND JUST POST THEM.

Okay.

May Jesus Take the Wheel for you today. Happy Hump Day. 

DIY: Return of the Chairs

Some of you may remember that about two months ago, I bought some chairs at an estate sale with the intention of refurbishing them. My first post, detailing the steps of my inaugural attempt at beating these chairs into submission, can be found here. 

Today, we have Part II of the tale. 

51. Ask your husband what he wants to do on this beautiful Saturday. Ignore him when he says what he wants to do is go fly fishing. 
52. Bribe him with promises of snacks and beer to help you work on your chairs with you, which have been sitting, dormant, on the porch. 
53. Quickly FaceTime your mom, who agrees that the chairs need to get finished, but mostly just because "they look so tacky sitting on your porch." 
54. Decide she's right. Make another list. Go to Lowe's. 
55. Promise to behave. Break said promise. Hide behind the ladders and jump out at a man who you think is your husband, but isn't.
56. Quickly ponder what going to jail would be like.
57. Arrive home with the supplies in tow. Lay out newspaper and realize what an undertaking this is going to be.

58. "Listen" to your husband read the instructions aloud on the back of the bottle of paint stripper. 
59. Make a whole bunch of stripper jokes and dance seductively around your porch. 
60. Listen to your husband tell you he's not helping if all you're going to do is spaz around the porch while he does the work.
61. Actually listen to him talk about how to use the paint stripper. 

62. Laugh bitterly to yourself at the phrase "WORKS THE FIRST TIME!" featured underneath the product title, as you have already tried this product without your husband and it did not, in fact, work the first time. All it did was eat your sponge brush until you were painting with a stump. 
63. Examine the photo on the front. What exactly are they trying to peel up?? Instant mashed potato flakes?? Did somebody have a house party that got out of control? 
64. Glove up so this stuff doesn't eat through your skin. 

65. Apply a thick layer of Goof Off to two chairs and wait for twenty minutes. Watch in amazement as the paint starts to bubble up. Loudly complain that it didn't do that last time. 
66. Listen to your husband tell you that's because you used a sponge brush and not a paintbrush. 
67. Know he's right, but don't tell him. 
68. After twenty minutes, start scraping the paint off. This would be a good time to realize that though this project is labor-intensive, this particular part is your OCD dream come true: 

69. Since your husband has so deftly completed this step, grab the paint scraper and go for it on your own chair. 
70. Realize with sadness that your husband is simply better at this than you are, but do not be deterred. 
71. Scrape until you want to cut both your arms off. Then go back over the spots that aren't coming off with more Goof Off. Then scrape some more. Scrape, scrape, scrape. When you think you want to die, scrape some more. 
72. Think that you are done because you've lost your will to live. 
73. Agree when your husband decides you should buff the first two chairs, then repeat the scraping process on the last two. 
74. Silently scream to yourself as he lays out clean newspaper and you get started on round two. 

75. As you start applying what seems like the fortieth round of Goof Off, look over to discover your husband has reached new levels of anal and is now scraping the tiny little crevices with dental tools. 

76. Decide your husband is pretty awesome.
77. Keep scraping. Try not to throw up when you come across a dried Band-Aid next to a single dried Golden Graham on the underside of a chair. 
78. Definitely don't think about why the Band-Aid and Golden Graham are next to each other. Put it out of your mind. And don't eat either. 
79. Wonder if you should take all the paint off, or if the distressed look is kind of cool on its own.
80. Because you're musing instead of scraping, accidentally drop some Goof Off on your thigh. 
81. Scream in horror because your "SKIN IS GONNA MELT OFF JORDAN HELP ME RIGHT NOW." 
82. Watch your husband help you while LOLing, because this stuff definitely doesn't take your skin off.
83. Ask him why he made you be so careful, then. 
84. Listen as he explains that it can be dangerous if mis-handled. 
85. Stew in silence over being treated like a 5-year-old, then remember you did actually did drop what is basically poison on yourself, so shut up and decide he was right. 
86. Conclude that the chairs are better in their "distressed" form, rather than in their original paint-less form. Once you scrape all that gunk off, of course.

87. Get distracted by an article called "Broccoli Rabe Dreams Big," which describes how vegetables have marketing directors. VEGETABLES. As in, if a vegetable is "hot" right now, the marketing people will promote it on talk shows and ask celebrities to endorse it. A VEGETABLE. I can't. 
88. Get back on track and finish the chairs. Look at your work. Decide it's pretty good. 
89. Look at your shoes. Look at all the paint you've gotten stuck to them. Realize your husband has been doing this in bare feet for this exact reason, but has failed to pass that advice along.
90. Remind yourself to thump him in the head later.
91. Step back, assess, and pat yourself on the back. Listen as your husband tells you he's proud of you for working so hard. 
92. Set the chairs back in their corner of the porch to wait until next time, when we'll be putting the foam backing on. There will be a staple gun involved. 
93. Let your mind run wild with the possibilities of how you could, and probably will, injure yourself. 
94. Reward.