Joys of the Week / January 24, 2021

joys of the week, ep. 7

Happy Sunday, everyone! One more week left in January, what in the heck? I returned home shortly from my first outdoor bike ride in quite some time, and I’ll admit, I’m extremely dejected. I’m not really comfortable on the trails or roads ever since I fell of my bike in The Netherlands and nearly got my face squashed by a car. Though we go to a park with a fairly wide sidewalk and no vehicles other than the friendly ranger, I still can’t release the bar to sip water or mentally let go and enjoy the breeze in my hair. I also rode much slower than I expected, about what I’d average a year ago, which makes me wonder if the trainer really has paid off at all and if I’ve made no progress in that duration. Any tips for getting more comfy in the saddle?

The MLB world lost a legend in Hank Aaron on Friday. I stepped back inside from my run that day to Stephen A. Smith actually not yelling during his show: solemn and thoughtful characterized his voice. I don’t know if anyone interested in baseball follows this journal, but Hank Aaron is in my view the home run champion until someone comes and breaks it with integrity. I do not count Barry Bonds as his superior, too much uncertainty and a big asterisk plops beside his name. I’ll hedge my bets on Mike Trout surpassing Aaron one day, if anyone even has a chance in this age.

Tablescape Inspiration for Spring

I haven’t upgraded my tabletop decor from Christmas but with the season winding away and spring looming, I feel I need to get my styling in order! I am a sucker for rose gold and florals and lots of greenery. I think I’ll maintain my plates from winter since they’re neutral and I love the scalloped pattern, but freshening the centerpiece remains a big to-do. Pinterest always delivers with providing ideas and I adore the scheme of both these pins! I especially like the soft blue and coral hues in the second image. I might just go that route.

My essentials for any tabletop? Taper candles + pretty holders, wine glasses, a floral/green arrangement, and a charming napkin design.

Upcoming on VE

Miles and miles of cycling and a healthier running approach come into discussion in this week’s training log. I follow up on Tuesday with a savory tortellini idea and a big, healthy, vegetarian (and vegan-friendly!) taco salad. Thursday’s treat is beyond decadent and perfect to chow down on for game day or stow in the recipe box for summer, and Friday’s cocktail is a sweet and unique vodka-based libation. We finish the week with a Saturday Sandwich (I like alliteration), and Sunday is all about sharing joy, as usual.

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Joys of the Week, Episode 7

1. Running by feel

I more or less dropped my 10k cycle after my ankle flareup, and since coming to the realization that I wasn’t really enjoying intense efforts as much with a self-induced schedule of completion. This week I set very few goals in my running and even so managed one day of faster running and lots of feel-good, aerobic miles of which I loved every minute. Proof, folks, that sometimes you just have to slow it down and enjoy the present instead of reaching for more-more-more.

2. Fairy Lights

So cozy, so beautiful for styling photos! I bought these garland-style lights and use them primarily for styling my cocktail recipes – they add such an ambient, warming vibe to any photo. We also strung some on the stairwell ledge and they light up every night around dusk, illuminating the lilies and a random glass of sparkly ornaments from Christmas.

3. WandaVision

J and I swept through the first three released episodes of WandaVision, and even though I have no idea what’s going on (we speculate, but can’t be certain at this point) I was thoroughly entertained by the premise and the wit. I’m not a huge Marvel nerd and haven’t followed any of the comics aside from what theatrical interpretations offer, so whether this show has any merit in relation to the written versions is beyond me, but for what it is, I’ve liked it. I also forget constantly that Wanda’s actress is an Olsen sister…

4. Plant Fusion Protein Powder

I swear by Plant Fusion. Whenever my afternoon snack is not cereal (who else loves Honey Nut Cheerios?!) I’m tossing Red Velvet Cake Plant Fusion in a blender with banana, frozen berries, spinach, and some kind of nut butter. The result is a massive pile of cold, creamy excellence that also fills me up between lunch and dinner. Check out Plant Fusion here! No sponsorship here, just pure love. I’d love to try their collagen supplements and perhaps some of their capsules as well, at some point.

5. A few of my favorite mushroom recipes

Sometimes I don’t feel like navigating meat substitutes for J and I’s meals, so mushrooms come to the rescue since he likes them just as much as I do (I’d imagine more than tofu). They’re meaty, versatile, and absorb almost any flavor you throw them in. In fact, this week involves a mushroom-laden recipe!

Ideas for dinner: