heat wave

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Things I Love Lately: Surviving Summer Edition

Welcome to another blog post where I jabber on about something completely inconsequential while trying desperately to pretend Everything Is Okay. 

(I clicked on an article this morning about how scientists have detected a continent-destroying “heartbeat” beneath Ethiopia because things really do feel increasingly apocalyptic and I like to know all the ways the universe is trying to purge itself of humanity. TL;DR: this new threat shouldn’t emerge for another million or so years.) 

Drastic tone shift! 

It’s summer! And super hot! I haven’t worn pants or styled my hair in days! Every time I step outside my skin turns into a puddle! 

Here’s how I am surviving:

Iced Chai: Thanks to Trader Joe’s, I have traded in my morning cuppa Earl Grey for a tall glass of iced chai. I pour in about a quarter cup of the spiced chai black tea concentrate, add enough water to fill the glass half way, add ice, then fill the rest of the way with skim milk. I also add a little topper of half-and-half, as a treat.

Pool Time: I realize that we are super lucky to have our own pool, but I think I would be dragging myself and my child to any pool possible. It’s not like I enjoy wearing a swimming suit, or even being in the water. But it feels less gross to be a sweaty mess at the pool than anywhere else, and I like feeling like it’s acceptable to lie around in nearly no clothing, and I like the ability to pop into the water when I feel like I’m about to sublimate. We’ve pulled out the pool toys (and I got an electric air pump so no one has to hyperventilate whilst filling up a flamingo or anything; the air pump is magical), we’ve set up the outdoor furniture, we’ve been really making use of the pool and I am very grateful. By the way, these are my favorite pool floaties because your body remains partially submerged while you drift around in the currents made by a cannonballing child.

Pants Free Living: I am living in these jersey dresses from Boden, and occasionally this similar dress I got last summer from Amazon. They all feel like I’m wearing pajamas AND they have pockets. I am also a huge fan of these shorts and tank top from Quince. Okay, while I was searching for the link to the Boden dress, I came across this one and bought it immediately. (If you want 20% off your Boden order, you can use this link.)

Supportive Sandals: I ordered a third pair of these orthotic flip flops because I love them so much. I wear one pair inside the house to stave off plantar fasciitis and now I have a pair of black ones and a pair of navy ones to wear anytime I leave the house. They are so comfortable.

The Perfect Sunscreen: Now that we have sunshine I am even more diligent about slathering my face with sunscreen every time I pop outside. I am in love with this Neutrogena sunscreen serum and have been using it for a few years now. It’s hydrating, it’s super lightweight, it absorbs completely (rather than sitting on my skin like some sunscreen), and it has some component that gives my skin this lovely glowy sheen, which is so different from most sunscreens, which leave me with a chalky pallor. It’s also compatible with my super-sensitive prone-to-breakouts face and does not bother my skin in the least. It’s become one of my favorite skincare products and the instant I get close to running out I order a backup.  

Wet Hair, Don’t Care: I am surviving summer with cold showers and without my hair dryer. Shampoo, leave-in conditioner (I’m currently using this one), throw the whole mane up in a claw clip. Does it look cute? Not really, no. Do I care? Not enough to endure hair drying. 

Cool Sleeping: I persist in being a terrible sleeper; last night, I went to bed at ten, then proceeded to wake up at 12:20, 1:30, and 3:00 and then couldn’t get back to sleep until after 4:00. I feel like I am doing All The Things (except taking a sleep aid, I guess) and I am so constantly tired I want to cry. My husband has tried everything in his power to help me sleep better, and one of those things was buying this ridiculously expensive cooling comforter. It is worth every penny. Now, I am never too hot because of the comforter (only because of my internal wackjob thermometer). Every time I slip beneath the sheets (which are also stupid expensive; we’ve got a spendy cooling duvet cover too) I feel cool and comfortable no matter how hot it is outside.

Bug Shield: The worst thing about being outside is mosquitos, and our mosquito repellent device continues to do an amazing job of keeping the nasty critters away. 

Indoor Fun: We’ve been enjoying the outdoors, but when it’s just too hot Carla and I have been retreating to the cool of the house to play board games. Since it’s just the two of us – or three when my husband is home – we stick with games that are fun with two players, like SkipBo or Clue or Exploding Kittens. I’ve heard good things about Monopoly Deal so I may have to add that to our collection. 

What are your summer must-haves? 

Lenny has discovered the joy of Being on the Counter and takes any opportunity to find out what’s happening up there.

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Nearly No-Cook Dinners This Week

We are in the midst of a heat wave and I am still expected to provide meals for my family. I may have scoured every blog post and online article about “best no-cook meals.” No, I will never make gazpacho, every blog post and online article about “best no-cook meals.” My husband and I discussed the options I bookmarked and landed on a good meal plan for the week. There are a lot of chickpeas, quinoa, and pesto on the list. The dinners are kind of cilantro heavy, though, so if you hate cilantro, consider yourself warned. 

Dinners for the Week of June 23-June 29

  • Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto: The original recipe calls for goat cheese, but I am going to swap that out for cotija. I am also going to get us some grilled shrimp from the prepared foods section to add as our protein.
  • Ground Beef Tacos in the Crockpot: The taco meat requires cooking, but I’ll make it in the crockpot to keep our kitchen cool. I usually heat up corn taco shells in the oven, so I will have to figure out if I can stand doing that or if I can make them in our air fryer.
  • Pesto Farmer’s Market Salad with Grilled Chicken: My husband and I are weary of the (delicious) salads in our regular rotation, so we’re going to give this one a try. Instead of my go-to balsamic, this salad calls for a pesto vinaigrette which is intriguing. I will “grill” the chicken in our air fryer.

I am hoping that many of these dinners produce leftovers because I don’t want to use my oven for lunch, either.

When you think of Good Bread, what do you think of? My husband requested sourdough; I am happy to oblige. What’s your favorite summery salad? What else do you like to eat when you refuse to use the oven?