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Scattered Sundays and Meal Prep

I have something stuck in my brain that I can’t let go of. I need some help.

If the east coast of the United States is in the “Eastern time zone”, why isn’t the Pacific time zone called the “Western time zone”?

Why?

WHHHHHHHHHY?

So what seems like a billion years ago, I was raving at your faces about how much I love the makeup from Alima Pure. All 18 dudes who read this blog are like “see yah”.

This makeup is from a Pacific Northwest company and made in Oregon. It’s affordable, good stuff, and um, it comes in butt-ass white which I need. Desperately. And no, this isn’t sponsored.

From their website:

Our products are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, phthalates, dimethicone, petroleum, talc, bismuth oxychloride, and nanoparticles. They’re absolutely never tested on animals.

If you’re also lacking on the pigment front I use the powder in color 01. As in the very lightest shade. It’s called “Dew” because apparently, their focus groups found “transparent”, “potentially dead”, and “vampire-like” did not sell well.

Anyhoo, this awesome make up is 20% off until July 23rd. Oh, and if you like it they also do refills which is rad from a packaging and zero-waste standpoint. Again, not sponsored. Buy as much or as little as you want; I get nothing.

Also, it’s probably fair to let you know that when I was younger I always thought the whole “never tested on animals” spiel was weird because I assumed it meant that bunnies were getting makeovers. Like I was picturing a rabbit getting mascara and lipstick applied.

And had a little perfume squirted on it’s ears to see how their bunny friends reacted. Like “ohh that little cottontail seemed repulsed by the Elizabeth Arden’s Sunflowers, but was really digging that Primo and Ex’cla-ma’tion.

Why would that be a negative? Sometimes even a bunny needs to feel good about themselves. A little pedicure. Maybe get their hare done.

…get their hare done! Thank you and goodnight. I’ll be here all week. Tip your waitresses.

The garden is pretty awesome right now.

Bennett started a little preschool camp this week and we can all collectively say “amen” to that. He has really leaned in and embraced being a dillhole of a two year old lately and we needed to see a bit less of his little attitude after a lot of constant togetherness.

The head of his preschool and his own teacher (remember, the one I called by the wrong name for two weeks? Sigh) put together a six-session camp. Three days over two weeks and it is three and a half hours each day. Get this – it’s only $40 a week. I know!

He is having fun, getting worn out, and having time with all the other little nose-pickers. We get relief from the high-pitched whining that is on repeat in the Cook house right now and are spending some extra solo time with Jack. Everyone freaking wins.

A week from today at the asscrack of dawn, Jack and I are leaving for Denver for a week! We’re going to see my bestie/one of his godmothers and he’ll be going to her son’s day camp learning more about Minecraft and how to (I assume?) make Youtube videos. Basically, tween crack.

Troy and Bennett are staying back in Washington with the help of my in-laws who will be watching Bennett a few nights/day when Troy is working.

Speaking of Denver: if you’re in the area I am trying to get a reader lunch going for either Monday the 23rd or Wednesday the 25th. Can you drop me an email or message me on FB or Instagram for details?

Lookey what I found:

This past week on Facebook I asked the Sustainable Cooks community to share the city they live in – with a gif. Little known fact: I can’t see your personal profiles because I have a business page. So these little snippets of getting to know my readers are so fun! It’s not too late to drop your gif in too.

Drop your gif in is my new pick up line.

Speaking of Facebook, can we do some boring housekeeping stuff for a second? Are you connecting with our crew on all the different channels? Are you on my email list? Part of our Facebook group? Pinterest stalker? Instagram lurker? Join us. We have cookies. Or at least recipes for cookies.

Also, I have updated my shop page where I share my favorite gadgets and cookbooks. What is the oddest item on there you have questions about? Don’t be shy. I’m nosy AF and you can be too!

Couldn’t explain to you why the formatting on this font is so weird:

On Sustainable Cooks This Week

Without planning it, everything I posted this week was green. All green! Kermit would be proud. And Captain Planet. He’s our hero. Gonna take pollution…I’ll stop now. And yes, for the first time readers, I was born in the 80’s.

How to Make Amazing Refrigerator Dilly Beans – Learn the secrets of how to make amazing Refrigerator Dilly Beans. This easy recipe for pickled beans involves zero canning and will help you “put up” the summer bounty in a delicious and snackable way.

Two jars of dilly beans with garlic and red peppers on a wooden board

Life-Changing Homemade Green Goddess Dressing Recipe – A delicious and healthy take on the classic Green Goddess Dressing recipe. Avocado and fresh herbs make a life-changing dressing that is Whole30 compliant, paleo, and vegan (adaptable).

A container of green goddess dressing on a plate with a salad and fork in the background

Homemade Peppermint Extract – Learn how easy and affordable it is to make your own Homemade Peppermint Extract! Homemade mint extract makes wonderful Christmas and holiday gifts.

A bottle of homemade peppermint extract with mint and lavender on a wooden board

Anyone see my reflection with the camera in the jar? Proof once and for all I am not actually a vampire despite my total lack of pigment.

The Five Most Popular Posts This Week

  1. Whole30 Bruschetta Chicken
  2. How to Make Chapstick
  3. Healthy Sweet Tea Recipe
  4. Healthier Fried Zucchini Chips
  5. Homemade Lara Bars

Meal Plan

Monday:: New recipe I’m working on

Tuesday:: Chef salads, bread for the boys

Wednesday:: Hamburgers, corn on the cob, grilled zucchini

Thursday:: Tacos, cauliflower rice, and black beans

Friday:: Popcorn, leftovers, movie night.

Saturday:: My sis’ birthday dinner

Sunday:: Family dinner for Troy and Bennett. Jack and I will be in Denver!

What We Bought This Week

We have no photos of food this week. I don’t know what in the heck was wrong with us!

Smith Brother’s Farms: $19.98. No photo. It was all bacon.

Butcher Box: $129. It was ground beef, chicken breasts, steaks, and ribs. Want your own? Right now Butcher Box is offering free bacon and ribeyes. Um, yes, please.

Farmer’s Market:$32. My favorite vendor isn’t back this year and I can tell based on my spending. He used to give me mad discounts yo!

 

What are you having this week?

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14 comments on “Scattered Sundays and Meal Prep”

  1. Alima Pure is my new favorite thing! Thank you for recommending it. I ordered their sample foundation kit and found two (TWO!) that match my very fair skin and cover redness like a champ. And they weren’t called “death pallor” or “chalk” or match Sherwin Williams swatches. Amazing!

  2. Aw man. I’m about an hour north of Denver too, and I have all-day super exciting training scheduled for the entire week next week. Wish I could join in!!

  3. What is cauliflower rice and how do you make it?

    • It is cauliflower that has been chopped into tiny pieces and looks like rice. People who make it usually pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until it is tiny. Many stores sell it already “riced”. You can use it like rice (steam it), as the base for cauliflower mashed potatoes, but what I like to do is treat it like fried rice and fry it in a wok with veggies. I don’t like cauliflower but I find it delicious!

  4. Since I eat a low carb, healthy fat diet, I can’t eat most of your offerings, but I hang around anyway because you say things that are funny AF. I have a batch of peppermint extract brewing. I’m going to try some low carb peppermint patties after it’s ready. Or at Christmas anyway.

  5. Well, technically, the time-zone farthest east on the continent is Atlantic Time. Which I never realized until I flew to Nova Scotia and it was an hour later than I expected it to be. LOL

  6. I just got Emma back after she spent three weeks in NH with my sister and her boys. It was awesome getting a break, but I’m so glad she’s home, tween attitude and all!

    And, we brought my youngest nephew (he’s nine) back with us for two weeks!

    Not sure how I missed the mint extract recipe. Gonna check it out after we hit Michael’s to stock up on craft supplies.

    • Did her horse miss her so much?? How fun to have your nephew with you for a few weeks too. What a great gift you and your sis are giving each other – to be down a kid for a few weeks in the summer.

  7. I live about an hour north of Denver and would love to do a reader lunch. I’d have to bring my two rugrats though. My son is 11 and my girl is 8. If it’s not doable, I get it. Damn children.Â