Friday Thoughts
Hey! Can we discuss some Friday Thoughts?
I wanted to check in and give an update on many of the loose ends that we’ve discussed in the last few Friday Thought’s posts + share some of the random thoughts going through my head space that always make it into these posts. 🙂
Here we go! (I kind of feel like Henry the Polish Hen is very much summing up my reaction to 2021 so far.)
1) Catch Up:
- finally listened to Boys in the Boat and really, really liked it. We also watched the PBS documentary Boys of ’36 as a family, and it was very interesting!
- feeling called to repentance after my declaration of hating yoga in this post; I took your suggestions (dozens and dozens of them!) to give Yoga with Adriene a try, and, welp, you guys were right (no surprise). She’s really great. I’ve been doing her shorter videos, 10-20 minutes, several times a week, and I can definitely say I don’t hate yoga quite as much and my pesky hip pain is manageable. I’ve even converted several other friends, so I guess you could say I’ve gained a testimony of Yoga with Adriene, which is quite a miracle.
- delivered books to the elementary school; finally! With covid protocols, it took a while for the elementary school to open for visitors/donations, which delayed our simple cultural outreach book project. I was excited to finally deliver these books to our elementary school. Here is a list of the books we donated. We bought most of the books from EyeSeeMe bookstore. I hope to continue this cultural awareness/literacy project next year and get our community and other families involved!
2) Resolutions: I hope we can still be friends, but I’m not one for a lot of goal setting when the new year rolls around.
I almost always start each new year a tiny bit exhausted from the holidays (2020 took this to a whole new level), and I’ve learned that I get really overwhelmed with a bunch of new goals staring me in the face.
I do better focusing on getting through each day without completely inhaling an entire bag of chocolate chips. Just me?
When I do make goals, I try to keep them simple and achievable, like making time in my planner (yes, my devoted paper planner) for daily scripture reading and a couple days of exercise each week. Things like that.
A couple overall wishes I have for myself this year is to get rid of a few non-essential projects and stop managing other people’s emotions. Wish me luck. Haha.
Are you a new year’s resolutioner? What’s your style?
3) Holiday Game: thanks to my longtime blogging buddy, Rachel R., for sending me this game idea in time for the holidays. Klask {aff. link} was the ultimate holiday gift winner. It is so, so fun! I couldn’t wait until my end-of-year game gift guide to tell you about it. We are still playing it nonstop.
Not gonna lie, I’m pretty good. (16-year old is currently heatedly debating this fact with me.)
Any favorite Christmas finds/gifts to share?
4) Homemade gifts: for Christmas, we decided, or rather, I dictated, that the kids would make homemade gifts for each other. They always choose another sibling’s name for a Christmas gift anyway, but this year, the focus was on intentionally thought out homemade gifts. The only criteria: it had to be homemade and a level above popsicle stick binoculars.
Despite the moans and groans at the onset and some very last minute pushes (i.e. Christmas Eve) to get things finished, complete with a few moments of impatient mom-shouting (not proud, but it’s the reality), it ended up being one of the best moments of Christmas.
The kids loved opening and seeing what their siblings made them, and they were genuinely excited and grateful because they each had experienced the effort that went in to making a gift for someone else.
Let’s see, we had a crocheted scarf and painted treasure box, a hand-carved sword, and a homemade pillowcase, among a few other delights. I haven’t yet broken the news that we’re making this a yearly tradition.
Also, my 14-year old just said to me as I was typing up this post: “in a million years, I never imagined I’d be able to sew anything.” He followed that up with: “and I don’t plan to ever again.” And then finally: “are you going to pay me for posting my picture on the internet?”
5) Arthritis in My Hands: notwithstanding the fact that we literally cannot stuff one more blanket (or stuffed animal, for that matter) in our home, I decided to not be a hypocrite with the whole “make someone a homemade gift thing” and crochet each of the kids and Brian a blanket for Christmas.
I brushed off my very rusty crocheting skills, and got to work on this one-stitch pattern. Easiest pattern ever. The reason these blankets are unique and amazing is because of the bernat blanket yarn (JoAnns or Michaels with 40% coupons!), and the resulting blanket is addictively soft and cuddly.
I didn’t give myself a whole lot of time, and ended up crocheting into the very, very late hours of the night (er, morning) almost every night in December, but I finished by the skin of my teeth with gnarled, sore, arthritic hands and bloodshot eyes.
Now my goal is to get one made for myself so I don’t keep stealing Brian or the kid’s blankets when we’re watching a movie. Let’s hope my still-aching hands can get this last one made before 2025.
6) Rock Climbing: a new hobby for our family, and we are hooked thanks to Brian’s parents giving us a two month membership for a gift this year. Most of us got belay certified, and let me just say: it’s interesting putting ultimate trust in one of your kids to keep you safe as you scale up a freakishly tall wall.
And by “scale up a freakishly tall wall,” I mean, get about 5 1/2 feet up and demand to be lowered immediately, because your arms and legs are about to fall off from exhaustion.
My kids, on the other hand, have amazed me with their billy goat efforts to conquer certain routes.
7) Best Dry Shampoo Ever: listen, I’m not an expert in everything, but two things I know: chocolate chip cookies and dry shampoo. I’ve used about 384 brands of dry shampoo over the years, and this is the best stuff ever {aff. link}.
It’s pricier than other brands, but can you really put a price on being able to go a shocking number of days without washing your hair and not look like a greaseball? No, no you cannot. Also, I use less than other brands because it’s so effective.
8) Quick Thought: with the new year and a lot of focus on healthy eating, fitness goals, and new year’s resolutions, I’ve been reminded and have felt a lot of gratitude for how my perspective completely shifted when I read the book Intuitive Eating {aff. link} and started following Beauty Redefined (website/Instagram).
With absolutely no hyperbole, I can say that this book + account have been life changing for me as I work to develop body image resilience and teach my kids the same thing. At home, I only have to start saying “your body is…” before my kids start chiming in with “…an instrument not an ornament!”
I know this topic is akin to discussing politics: so.many.opinions, but I feel strongly about the ideas I’ve learned over the years.
Once I got mad (like, really mad) at diet culture and society’s irrational ideals and demands that women should not age (insert eye roll + throat punch), it helped free me from some of the confining thoughts I had been harboring about my body, nutrition, and a lot of other things…and I have been so, so much happier.
Let’s not be too hard on ourselves, ok?
Thanks for being here (and a special reward for those that made it to the end of this post!).
I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts – any and all of them!
I appreciate when you share the “real” in your lives. The good, the bad, the hard. I have learned so much from all of you over the years.
I personally struggle with many, many things (anxiety being high on that list). And even though, lucky for you, I don’t outline all the struggles here, just remember that daily life holds so much more than what we read on blog posts and view in little square snapshots on Instagram.
Sometimes, it’s just really helpful and validating to know we aren’t alone – in the good moments and the hard moments. Love your guts.
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138 Comments on “Friday Thoughts”
Hi,
I just want to write to say thank you for the incredible recipes. I often come here for new ideas and I know whatever I make of yours will be loved by all.
I have made your recipes for grieving friends-the best pasta salad is a favorite-and I always make double so we can enjoy it as well.
I also want to share that I crocheted minimally about 20 years ago, and your Christmas post inspired me to pick it up again and I’m currently on blanket number 17. I have given them to my daughters (one graduated from high school this year and one from college) my husband, friends, and then made one for each of my daughter’s friends for graduation from high school gifts.
So, just wanted to say thank you for your inspiration and sharing your gifts. I am paying it forward and enjoying every minute.
pls do some more Friday Thoughts
luv them
Hi Mel,
I wanted to reach out to you to let you know what an inspiration you are to me!
I absolutely love all of your fantastic recipes and I share your website with many of my friends who ask for recipes when I’ve made and shared foods from your website.
I’m kind of old fashioned in that I don’t do Facebook or Instagram but I wanted to let you know how upset I am knowing people are making such rude and thoughtless comments to you about your recipes and other matters that you have been kind enough to share with us. My
Sister in law recently shared with me what you’ve been dealing with,
regarding thoughtless and cruel people who post rude comments and have left you broken emotionally.
I am forever grateful for all you have done….from great recipes to ingredient substitutions, to gift ideas, recipe tips and tricks, etc.
It takes a special person to do what you’ve accomplished and had to overcome….you are so talented and gifted!
Please know that I’m one of your biggest fans!
Patricia Pavelski
Stevens Point, WI
I have an afghan that is similar to the one mentioned. It was done with two strands of worsted weight yarn instead of chunky yarn and crocheted through both loops, not just the back loop. I made it when I was pregnant with my eldest daughter. She’s 40. The afghan is used daily.
Oh, man after 133 comments all you need is one more! Here it is. Our family did picture a Christmas one year. I have young married couples who don’t have two nickels to rub together because of school and well, being newlyweds. The last thing I wanted was for them to try to think of a meaningful gift that they could find for $10.
Thus, Picture a Christmas…..They needed to think of a gift that they would give that if money were not the object, but rather something that the other person would really like and they would enjoy giving. It was not an easy off the hook….they had to think about it and why and they had to find a picture and wrap it etc. We had more fun with this…. our Christmas lasted all morning as we laughed and enjoyed the “gifts” that were given. One of my daughters got married and had a bad hair experience. All she wanted was hair the color of Jennifer Anistons. Oh the tears that were shed when she ended up blond in August. Her brother remembered this and gave her a picture of Jennifer Aniston and recounted his view of her experience. Single 20 year old male right before leaving on his mission. We were very impressed he even got what happened and thought of this gift. I gave my husband a picture of a Ford truck and a 5th wheel trailer. I told him I could just imagine the adventures we would have. The idea of giving was there but no painful expenses. There you go. Thanks for letting me share.
Love ur friday thoughts
really cheer me up
pls do some more often
thanksss
Thanks so much for promoting intuitive eating and body resiliency (I like to use the term Body Neutrality). I started following Beauty Redefined a few years ago because I was really concerned about my girls growing up in this beauty-obsessed world. I just love what I have learned and continue to learn about this topic. It is so important to reject diet culture and get back to listening to our bodies. I am so glad that we can make healthy choices and still treat ourselves. It is so freeing! P.S. I love your recipes. I recently went camping with a friend and she premade a bunch of yummy stuff. I asked her where she got the ideas and she said that she was an avid follower of your blog. Neither one of us knew that the other followed you, too. It was a fun moment.
I love your thoughts on body image resilience! I started reading Intuitive Eating a couple weeks ago and really like it. I think I’ll check out Beauty Redefined account now, too. My biggest struggle right now is hair. I know a lot of wonderful women who have looking younger a priority by making sure their graying hair gets colored every few weeks, but I just don’t have it in me to add that to my list of things to keep on top of. So even though my son remind me this morning that while his hair is darkening, mine is getting whiter (he was exaggerating a bit- I’m in my mid 30’s. haha). I’m slowly realizing that even though women twice my age have not a single strand of gray hair and I find 13 new ones every morning, it really is ok. I’m trying to embrace the mindset that if I take care of my body I can age gracefully. So that’s my lifelong plan.
Also, go you for making blankets for your whole family! I had an idea a few years ago to crochet each of my family members a Christmas stocking and that has since been placed on the back burner. I need to improve my basic crocheting skills before I try to make beautiful, lasting Christmas stockings.
Mel, thanks for sharing! I love your Friday posts, as it gives mea glimpse into your normal family and personal life, not just your kitchen. I have incorporated several games from you over the years that our family loves. And my kids think you and I are best friends, even though we’ve never met. Love love love all the recipes! It makes my weekly planning so easy. You should open up with your anxiety, be more real about it. I personally don’t struggle with anxiety much, but I know several friends and a few sisters who really struggle. I’d love to know how better to help,support, and connect with them. And I think it would help them to know others are being open about it. It’s nothing to be ashamed about,-we all have our bucket of hard things. Thanks for being real on all you share.
Mel! I am so, so thrilled to see you purchased books from Eye See Me. It is my FAVORITE bookstore here in St. Louis and I am thankful you bought such important books from such an important business.
I’ve never commented before but I have to chime in with a huge AMEN to the thoughts on Intuitive Eating and Beauty Redefined. I found both a couple years back and immediately fell in love. Its been such an important paradigm shift for me to allow for gratitude for the incredible gift of my body and what it can do/has done, as well as helped me to move past the shame that I felt for having changed over the years. I feel like this perspective absolutely falls in line with what is more eternal in nature too.
Anyway, I totally get your anger, I was there for a while. Still feel angry occasionally when I see how diet culture affects those I love. But I wanted to say thanks for sharing and love your recipes!!
I decided to simplify my goals this year–traditionally I have made a long list, some I do some I don’t. This year I decided I want success in my goal setting.
My two goals this year are to get ice cream at Baskin Robbins at least quarterly. I also plan on stopping at the cupcake shop and getting a cupcake. Hubby and I share one, leaves you mostly satisfied. I think this needs to be a monthly goal. I also want to branch out on our eating out, aka drive thru or curbside. We are stuck on three or four favorites. Quarterly we need to branch our and go somewhere totally new to us. Now Mel, these are goals I can keep! Maybe we have just been making the wrong goals! Love your blog Mel. I purchase many of your gift recommendations. I like to hear your challenges in life, we can help each other. Sometimes its good to feel like maybe I’m not the only challenged parent, person. We can cheer each other on, you are doing better than you think you are. Love you much my virtual friend. If I lived by you I would be your real life friend, no doubt!
First of all those blankets!! Wow! I made no tie fleece blankets for my kids this year (2020 Christmas)They loved them! I just might have to try crocheting! When you said your trying not to control others emotions my ears perked up..I’m right with you! Early last year I signed up ($49 a month totally worth it) for a life coach. Jody Moore -Be Bold. She is an LDS life coach. Coaches on everything. She teaches and coaches on how to do many things..one of them being not controlling others and their emotions. For some reason “I’m convinced” at times that I actually have power to control others..doesn’t work so wellI love her! Check it out. http://www.jodymoore.com.
I really love and appreciate your Friday thoughts! And so good to hear that sometimes you lose the cool with your kids too. Again, right there with ya. Oh and New Years goals? Well, I take mine a day at a time. There’s too many goals I want to do better at, but then I get overwhelmed trying to decide which one to settle on. So I take it a day at a time. Like drink more water today!
Ps if you ever need books re-bound in a beautiful new genuine full grain leather or want a book restored to its former glory, my family owns a business that does these things! http://www.alpinecustombookbinding.com. We recently bound scriptures in a bright yellow for Al Carraway (tattooed Mormon) and Emily Bell freeman (light pink). Just a thought!
This is officially the longest comment ever. ❤️
We have a couple polish hens (and one of them has a male name – Hagrid- because the pictures we saw when we ordered her looked like big shaggy hair and beard!:) They are my favorite because they make me laugh with their crazy “hair!”
Klax is a new favorite game for us as well. Gotta love simple but fun games. (I have a hard time with games where the instructions come in book form).
Thank you for all the great recipes and for sharing your honest thoughts from time to time. I find it refreshing.
We will definitely need to check out Klask. All of your game recommendations are great, and tend to line up with our own family preferences. We got some fun new ones for Christmas (Dominion and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were a couple of favorites), but why do so many fun games only let you play with 4 people? Makes it hard for bigger-than-average-families like ours to get everyone in on the same game.
We have a homemade gift mandate too! Only we draw names and only have to do it for one person. I need to take your idea of requiring gifts to be better than popsicle stick grade. I’ve never thought to do that, but it would certainly improve the calibre of some kids’ creations!! But there have also been some real treasures and it’s a tradition that I love. Also, your blankets make me wish I had learned how to crochet. They look so great!
I love Beauty Redefined. I have a lot of beefs with the beauty industry and it drives me crazy that we as women are often the ones perpetuating the toxic culture that we’re trapped in. I’m looking forward to reading the new book. I’m not a big resolution maker either. Lately I’ve been trying to focus generally on healthy habits that are sustainable: listening to my hunger and fullness cues, eating well-balanced meals, moving my body regularly, getting enough sleep (<— that one's the hardest!).
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Mel! Thank you for the post 🙂 I can’t agree more with the positive body image quote. I wanted to share a quote that helped me this Christmas with a positive body image for myself. The quote is from the 1994 movie “Little Women”, where Jo, the oldest shares her desire to be admired and feel beautiful to others and her wise Marmie answers with… “I only care what you think of yourself, if you feel your value lies in being merely decorative, I fear that someday you might find yourself believing that’s all that you really are. Time erodes all such beauty but what it cannot diminish is the wonderful workings of your mind, your humor, your kindness, and your moral courage.”
I hope that speaks to you even personally Mel!
Blessings;
Lucy.
I love this quote from Little Women so much. It speaks volumes.!!! Thank you so much for sharing. As a 70 year old woman, I know those words are true. I wish it was not so difficult to convey to our youth-oriented society what really is most important in life. I still care about my looks, but my faith, family, friends, health, and knowledge sure takes priority. My body truly is an instrument. I am amazed and thankful everyday about what this 70 year old body can still do.
Love you Mel! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas with us!
Thank you, Camille!
I’ve been a silent but faithful follower for a really long time… like I don’t even know how long. I use your recipes almost exclusively. But today I feel the need to respond to this post. Thank you for using your platform to talk about Intuitive Eating and Beauty Redefined. I’m a health coach and Intuitive Eating certified counselor and any increased awareness is awesome! I love what you said and frankly you have been so easy to follow for years because of your balanced approach to food and enjoying it. You’re great!!!
Thanks for the comment, Brooke! I’ve wanted to bring it up and talk about it for a while, and felt like now was a good time. I love that you are an IE certified counselor – that’s amazing!! There’s so much more I need to learn, but it has been empowering.
Thank you for all you share… your thoughts, your experiences, your recipes. They all make a difference in your readers’ lives. Everybody in my house knows who Mel is now. It’s like you’re a family friend that we haven’t met yet. Thanks for being that kind of person!
Millie! Thank you so much. That was the sweetest comment and something that really lifted my spirits today. Thank you!
One of the (many) reasons I keep coming back here for over 10 years now is for both your balanced approached to meals and your balanced way of thinking. It is refreshing and encouraging visiting here knowing a diet or exercise plan won’t be pushed or foods won’t be labeled as “good” or “bad”. I’m so thankful for voices like yours in the food world that are healing, real, gentle, and sustainable.
I learned about the book “Intuitive Eating” as a 15 year old while my sister was in a eating disorder treatment center. It helped me start to recognize and reject so many prevalent and dangerous views about body image and dieting. The truths I learned at 15 in that book have blessed me since then.
Beauty Redefined I heard about later as a new mom and it was perfect timing to remind me at that vulnerable postpartum place the truths about our bodies and using them as instruments and not ornaments. I am so grateful to see you are sharing these amazing resources! Reading your post today reminded me that I can be more intentionally teaching these truths to my kids! I love that they can complete the instrument not ornament phrase! Thank you for sharing and for your courage to be real about life and it’s inherit struggles <3
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Rachel! I think part of what you said struck me – that it’s never too early to learn of these empowering truths about body image and eating (and never too early to start teaching them to our kids). I have a lot to learn, but it’s something I feel strongly about and am grateful so many others do, too. Thanks, Rachel!
I am always excited for your recommendations. Thank you for sharing. ♥️
Thanks, Lauren!
Love your thoughts on diet culture and body image. We live in such a twisted world and it’s so easy to get caught up in the comparison game. Thank you for the reminder of how important it is to stay true to ourselves!
The comparison game is real and super lame!! But we all fall prey to it. I love this comment thread filled with so many that want to resist and stick close to truth. Thanks, Meredith!
I used to be religious about making New Year’s resolutions and felt like a cheat if I didn’t do it every year. But last year I realized that my resolution should be to just keep trying, don’t give up, and try to be better than the day before. I continued that mantra this year and it felt so great to start the year not feeling the pressure of trying to succeed at some big goal. Frankly, it’s hard enough to succeed at the simple things like not feeling down on yourself when you lose your cool with your kids or act immature in a relationship. I’m always telling my kids “all you can do is try” and so that’s what I’m trying to do too.
Every year I buy games for my kids – I love playing games and so do they. We got Azul this year, and although it took a bit to get the hang of, we’ve had fun playing it. I also decided we needed to have a weekly game night and that has been a hit too. I’ve felt the need to work harder at strengthening our family relationships and this is a great way to do it.
Thanks for sharing the “reality” of your house. Love your guts AND your recipes 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Sharon!! I actually really like your form of goal setting. It kind of speaks to me, so thanks for sharing that. And I’m glad that you guys have enjoyed Azul. It definitely gets better with time and as you get the hang of it. You inspire ME. Thank you!
My goal for 2021> Celebrate that I survived 2020. Geez who can focus on self-improvement after last year? Who has the energy!? (If you do, are you selling any, by chance?) Aren’t we still in the pandemic? Let’s all cut ourselves some much-needed slack and offer it freely to others. I loved your book donations. Books can change the world (Intuitive Eating included). All the hugs and chocolate. -Theresa
Best goal ever, Theresa.
Just here to say that I love and so appreciate all of your thoughts and recommendations (to include all your amazing recipes of course!). So much goodness!! Thank you!
Thank you, thank you!
Hurrah hurrah! We love Klask so so much also- was major hit here as well. We also played 4 million rounds of Dutch Blitz here thanks to your gift guide -major hit with the teens! Also- as you know we are Bop It fans and my 17 year old adored the new one this year with 12 or more new actions (cradle it, comb it, selfie-it, phone it, sing it, drink it, hammer it, whip it etc ) – hilarious. Another
fab teen game that was a hit with 14 year old boy was the catch/ball game called Pindaloo. Great YouTube videos for tricks for Pindaloo online. Happy New Year Mel!
Oh gosh, I had no idea that Bop It had a new one with more actions. I’m not sure whether I should reveal that piece of info to my kids. Haha. We love Pindaloo! I have a super embarrassing Instagram story video showing how not good I am at it. Ha. I love that we love so many of the same games. Appreciate you, Rachel!
Can I just say that I love your blog? Your posts are my absolute favorite because 1) duh—delicious recipes to try, and 2) I never feel like you’re trying to sell me anything or make me feel like I need something “more” to make my life better. Thank you for your uplifting words ❤️
That being said, I’m not sure how you make money off this blog, but if my visiting the page and clicking on your posts helps, I will certainly keep doing that!
You are the sweetest, Stephanie. Thank you! I really appreciate you being here and also noticing that I haven’t sold out to all the sales pitches that have come my way over the years. I’ve told my husband to pull the plug on my blog if I ever do that. Haha. I honestly, truly, 100% just value every single person who takes the time to visit and sticks around. It means so much to me.
Thx for these great Friday posts, Mel. I am a big dry shampoo fan & find my hair kind of trains itself into going more days w/out washing~ I noticed the chicken pic – what’s the name of that insta acct w the farm animals – I’d love some more inspo-my six hens are 9 months old now & laying ev ry day~
Thanks for the great chatty post.
I have a question. Ages ago you mentioned via Instagram stories something about learning to do your make-up. I didn’t check it out right away and, of course, now i can’t stop thinking about it. Who were you following?
I find myself in the situation of being 36 and still not having a hot clue how to apply foundation.
Jeanette, I’m laughing because I’m the exact same! 36 and I’m certain every teenage girl is better at applying makeup than I am! Hoping Mel answers this one.
Jeanette and Erica, ok we are all in the same boat. Haha. I am worse than a tween or teen when it comes to makeup. But my friend, Rachel, who instagrams @lifesolovely was instrumental in me figuring it out. She taught me full on contouring…and I lowered that down about 1,000 levels until I got the hang of a little bit of coverup, eyeshadow, and (gasp) slightly darkening my eyebrows. I’ll highlight the things I learned in the next Friday Thoughts post!
Thanks so much! I will check her out.
I’m too, really really mad about diet culture. I was just sharing a thought about this to my mom the other day. She responded, “This is so deeply imbedded into what people believe, though.” As if there’s nothing I can do about it.
But I can do something. I remember being newly married and feeling so uncomfortable in my own skin all the time. I felt so less than and so insecure in my own body. I remember telling my husband, “I think I would feel better about myself if I knew that the women at church felt good about themselves.”
I wanted them to go first and give me permission.
But then I had a daughter and I feel that was Heavenly Father telling me, “Nope–you actually get to go first!” And I really have. This has been a lifelong struggle for me. But I have finally reached (with His help) a place of freedom in my body and nutrition. It’s glorious. The toxic teachings of diet culture need more of us to embrace the life without them.
I want you to know your account has been helpful (maybe even instrumental) to me in a journey to eating in balance. With newfound freedom in my body image/eating journey–I bake your treats so much more. I have become more confident in the kitchen with your guidance and my lack of fear of food and treats. I put extras in the freezer rather than eat them all. I share with neighbors.
I must tell you. I lost 20 pounds last year without dieting. (I wanted to drop some of the extra weight I had gained after a pregnancy and on a medication). I didn’t count a single calorie. You helped with that. I looked to make foods that were nutritious but also delicious–enter Mel. I had your breakfast smoothie almost daily, in the summer we grilled heaps of chicken breast with your Hawaiian chicken recipe or coconut chicken recipe and topped them on salad for lunch every day, and in the winter/colder months I ate your loaded cheesy cauliflower soup. And I moved my body.
I feel so healthy, so much more confident in my ability to cook, and I don’t feel beholden to toxic beliefs. It’s still a battle to fight that so I thank you sharing your experience with intuitive eating and hopefully help share the light with so many others.
Oh my goodness, Shar – I legitimately got goose bumps reading your comment. Your experiences are powerful!! And I’m so grateful you shared them. I feel like body image is very complex…and is definitely tied to our divine nature and how God created us. I’ve had some similar tender experiences that have taught me that I need to stand up and stand strong about body image resilience, especially for my children (but mostly for me). You’ve inspired me to continue doing so – so that maybe someone else who is listening or watching at church or in a friend group knows that I’m standing there and they can stand up, too. Thank you!
Can’t wait to try the dry shampoo. I totally relate to your last comment about aging and body positivity. I think that is one blessing that came out of 2020 for me. I have spent almost all of my 45 years worrying and striving to lose weight, keep it off or being self conscious about it. I finally am at peace. It is a very freeing feeling. Looking at old pictures are sometimes hard after losing weight on one of the many diets I have done, (gaining it back and not looking like that now) but I am working on that as well. Thanks Mel for sharing your thoughts!
You are amazing, Renee! I’m so, so happy reading that you are at peace. Honestly, that just made me so delighted for you (even though I know this particularly journey to loving our bodies no matter what is really, really hard)
Totally agree with you on resolutions. I hated yoga then tried Adrienne and it was much better. I recently found another live slow flow yoga that I love even more. Check out RebeccaBly.com
So very impressed with your blankets!
Thank you for the recommendation!
I always await your Friday thought posts with eager anticipation. You are the perfect blend of being “real”, genuine, relatable and also filling others cup full of faith and goodness. Love your guts!!!!!
So glad I know you in real life, Kara!
Mel. Bullet point 8 is everything! Have you read Beauty Redefined’s brand spanking new book “More than a Body”? So good! Also Intuitive Eating is amazing. Thank you for taking time to bring awareness these important topics.
I have it but haven’t read it yet. Can’t wait!
Thanks for writing these posts! I love reading them and getting recommendations and suggestions and another look into your life. I was at the store the other day and had the Living Proof and a different dry shampoo in my hand and ended up getting the other one instead. Bummer! The other kind is much better then I’ve ever used (IGK Brand) but now I wish I would have gone with the Living Proof Dry Shampoo.
I especially love living my farm dreams through you. It is something I will probably never be in a situation to do (maybe chickens) so it is fun to hear your pigs chomping and your donkeys reversing until they get some scratches. I’m also not a huge fan of yoga but maybe I’ll give this thing another try. Went grocery shopping today and found Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips on super clearance I instantly thought of you. Wish I could send you a whole box!
Not gonna lie, Keri, wish you could send me a whole box too. 🙂 j/k kind of haha
Such a refresh to read this. Thank you for posting. I don’t set New Years resolutions, I’m working on myself little by little everyday. Sometimes it’s a small step forward or half step back, that’s life.
I appreciate the real that you share. I’ll have to look into that dry shampoo, thanks!
That is TOTALLY life, Gwendolyn. And I’m so glad other women are facing the same “life steps” – it feels validating and hopeful.
I just want to take the opportunity to thank you for all that you do. Some things I especially appreciate:
*Your responses to questions that readers ask about your recipes. Sometimes I feel silly asking them, but your responses are always helpful. I also learn a lot from other readers’ questions, and your answers, and the remarks from readers about their experiences and adaptations. .
*Your game guides and reviews. These have helped me keep our house well stocked for our grandkids’ visits! I would not be able to keep up-to-date on games without your help. Your gift guides are also great.
*The food!! So many of your recipes have become “keepers” at our house, and have been shared with family and friends.
I hope you can keep your website going for many years. But even if you never made another post, you have spread so much knowledge, good food, and happiness through your efforts.
Thank you!
Ellen, your comment meant so much to me. THANK YOU. It’s been a hard(er) couple of weeks for me, and to be quite honest, I’ve wondered about the direction of my blog and if I can dedicate as much time to it as I have in the past based on some personal circumstances right now, but reading your comment has me renewed that it’s ok if my blog and posting schedule doesn’t look like any other food blogger out there – even if the posts are few and far between. I appreciate knowing you’ll still be here and that you respect and understand why I might not be as present. Thanks for your intuitive comment – I needed it!
Love you Mel! You don’t know me but I feel like I know you. You are amazing and I so look forward to reading any and all posts from you. You are literally the ONLY one I follow consistently. In other news, I’m SO excited to try the dry shampoo and yoga. Rock climbing is so fun and I haven’t done it for about 19 years. That’s all, you’re the best!
Love your guts, Erica! Thanks for being here!!
Two things, well three…
1. I love these Friday posts.
2. My husband loves your white sandwich bread, I finally made it and it’s absolute perfection. Thank you!
3. My husband saw a doctor this year that said, “forget about “the latest” eat three balanced meals each day (breakfast being the largest) and exercise an hour each day. That’s it. Now go be healthy.” We started eating a large protein heavy breakfast and it has changed my life. I don’t have weird cravings and I still have 3 unopened bags of chocolate chip in the cabinet. And we both feel great! Who knew it could be so simple?
Love these, especially #3! I’m going to try it.
Thanks for the advice, Nina! I’ll take all of it!! (although I’m slightly alarmed at the three unopened bags of choc chips – haha).
I love these Friday Thoughts posts. They really are a treat. I’m here for the dry shampoo test results, game recommendations (Mel saved Christmas shopping again in 2020!), parenting tips/insights/venting, … here for it all!!
I too have just recently found Yoga w/ Adriene – she’s bringing me back from a decade without much yoga. I’m tight, sore, feeling creaky but two weeks into her January challenge and I’m feeling improvements. It’s a happy stage to be in – improving.
I just want to pass along that I’ve also found some great yoga on YouTube by searching “restorative yoga” + hips/chest/back or whatever spot feels like it needs some extra love that day. If you haven’t already, i have found purchasing yoga blocks, bolsters, and a belt are really worth the investment. I haven’t found that Adriene uses yoga props much, but you can really use them to assist with deeper relief in hips, etc.
Thank you for sharing your life with us via blog posts and MKC & Faux Farm IG posts. It’s a bright spot in my day. Happy New Year – hope it’s a great one!
Feeling creaky – you and me both! Thanks for the restorative yoga recommendation. I think that could be revolutionary for my poor hips. I actually never knew a yoga belt existed, but I’ll be checking. I have yoga blocks and they make a huge difference. Thanks for the comment, Meghan!
Gosh, I love every bit of this, but thank you for using your space to bring attention to Intuitive Eating and the message of Beauty Redefined!! There is not much in life that I feel more passionate about. I read IE a few years ago and even though I’ve never struggled with a legit eating disorder it was life changing for me. It was like truth that once you see it, you can’t un-see it. I’m with you – diet culture ticks me off and I hate that January is so saturated with it. You’re so great Mel, and so many of us appreciate you posting delicious recipes again and again so we can feed our families well and feel so confident in the kitchen.
I feel like you summed up how I feel – now that I know about IE and Beauty Redefined, I can’t pretend like it doesn’t exist. Life changing is not at all hyperbole in relation to these two amazing things! Thank you, friend.
A few years ago my sister decided to forgo New Year’s Resolutions and just choose a word to focus on for the year. She choose the word “joy.” The next year she choose “productive.” 2 weeks into the New Year she was feeling overwhelmed so she decided to go back to focusing on joy. I think this is the third year in a row she has chosen “joy.” I loved that idea so last year I chose the word “prayer.” Last year was a really hard year and so “prayer” proved to be the perfect word for me. This year I choose the word “gratitude.” Each day I look out for things that I can be grateful for and write them down at night in a journal. It has been so amazing the change it has had on my outlook. I feel so much more hopeful and less anxious. There is always good to be found. Just so you know Mel, you have already made the gratitude list.
Thank you for sharing this, Sarah! I love that idea – just choosing a word and focusing on it. I find it interesting your sister abandoned productive to go back to joy – definitely tells me which is the more important of the two.
We love you, Mel!
I’m so pleased you plan to continue and grow your cultural outreach and literacy advocacy! It’s so important for helping our children to become their best selves and citizens! I will check out Eye See Me Books the next time I’m ordering for my family, thank you for the recommendation.
Whoops, I didn’t mean to post the above as a reply to Andrea’s comment, but I certainly agree with her! 🙂
Thanks, JP! (And Andrea) 🙂
Thank you Mel! I love this. Intuitive Eating and Beauty Redefined changed my life for the better too. Those ideas brought so much peace into my life. It takes a lot of courage to live and not try and cover and manipulate who we are. I am still working on it but I am so thankful that there is a better way to live then just jumping from one diet to another. You are a hero of mine. Thanks for being so real with us and for sharing your top secret recipes (yesterday I was making your chicken pot pie recipe and my 4 year old daughter asked ‘where did you get this secret recipe?’ And I said, ‘From Mel, she shares all her secret recipes!)
I’m definitely still working on it too, Leah! I feel encouraged reading these comments that so many of us are striving for the same positive ideals. I laughed about the top secret recipes. I’m going to start thinking of every recipe I post like that (and ignore all the negative comments in favor of thinking: aren’t they so lucky to get my top secret recipes!! – haha)
I like resolutions, and this year it really struck me how perfect it is that we celebrate the birth of Christ, and then a week later we celebrate a clean beginning at the new year.
That said, I am really lousy at keeping resolutions. Recently though I’ve started focusing on monthly goals. For January my goal is to exercise 1000 min and work on my cross stitch 1000 min. A little more than 30 min a day, and if one day is busy, I can still catch up. But it keeps me from skipping a lot of days (or entire weeks for that matter…).
I love your goal variation – the 1,000 minute goal! And I also appreciate you sharing that about the birth of Christ followed up by a new start.
I love you mel! Im trying thr book! Thank you for being so honest…anxiety suck!
Thanks, Jill!
I have struggled with wanting to make a list of goals this year. I love knowing what’s truly important to me and making time to do those things. I’ve been pondering goals this month, though, and I can feel a couple pushes and ideas forming. I love the freedom to make goals as I feel inspired.
Our game of December was Sleeping Queens. It is a huge family favorite! Some of us still love Play Nine and Skyjo, with adding in Gnoming Around fun a variation.
Love reading your Friday thoughts. I am not a yoga fan yet. Maybe one day. I have been trying out the new Fitness + app with my Apple Watch and that is my new favorite! I exercise to feel good physically and mentally.
Keep up the awesome recipes! 🙂
Hey Sandee! I love hearing what other games families love. I’ve also heard good things about the fitness + app! Glad it’s working for you!
A game recommendation! I don’t think I’ve seen it here before but if so, sorry. We got Splendor this year and have loved playing. It’s by far everyone’s favorite family game. From 8-41. Also Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. That’s hilarious silly fun.
Thanks for the game recommendations! We’ve played splendor but not the taco cat one!
Each time you write one of these Friday thoughts posts I am reminded how much I adore you! After nearly 9 years of following you and honestly feeling like you are one of my dearest friends .. I know someday we are going to hang out in person .. I love your perspective and you speak to my soul. Intuitive eating and body positivity have changed my life too .. it’s the way to be a truly happy person in the dishonesty that is the diet culture ! You’ve really made me want to crochet something .. I had been thinking about it recently and now I’m convinced I should ! I used to love to as a teenager, I think I should make something for my first grand baby that is joining the family in April ❤️ Those blankets look awesome !! You’ve almost convinced me I need to try dry shampoo again .. I’ve always had terrible luck with it ! And finally, I don’t make big goals and resolutions .. I pick a word that is my focus .. write it in my paper planner notebook and choose a few reasons I chose the word .. then I try my best to survive on the daily .. keep my anxiety in check and keep my kids and hubby physically and emotionally and happy .and healthy .. that’s more than enough for me to handle without an additional list of expectations of myself. Thanks for your wisdom Mel and for being here ❤️
I can’t believe it! Your first grandbaby! How exciting, Helen! Sure appreciate you still being here after all of these years.
Your thoughts were just what I needed today-thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much, Jasmine!
Two of my absolute favorite things are in this post, and those are Yoga with Adriene (which I also started doing because of hip pain) and Klask. We got my husband Klask for Christmas 2019 and we all love it!
Glad we share these two favorites!!
I love you Mel! I’ve never met you in real life and I feel kind of like your internet stalker as I need your advice, Recommendations, recipes all the time for everything it seems lol
Every time I read your posts I’m like, man, we think so much alike. You are way cooler than me, insert: rock climbing, and little farm, but just know I appreciate you and the internet space you created for me to escape to
My kids got the battle of the ufo game and my daughter got enchanted forest for Christmas and they are instant loves! The ufo game has brought more laughter, smiles, and competitive spirits into our home than any other. I love it!
They also received the game, taco vs. burrito and it is so so fun to play! Easy as anything but so fun!
Have you read the novel, the shack? My goodness that book changed my perspective on so many things. It’s a must read if you haven’t read it yet! So good and gives you lots to ponder.
Anyway, have a great weekend!
Oh gosh, trust me, I am not remotely cooler than anyone!! And today after cleaning up so.much.manure, I’m pretty sure I want to leave our faux farm in the dust.
I’m so happy you got those games and loved them! I’ve heard about taco vs burrito but haven’t played it before. And thanks for the book recommendation!
I’m totally going to watch that documentary! It’s been several years since I read Boys in the Boat, but it’s one that has really stuck with me. (Perhaps living 20 minutes from Lake Washington while I read it and living in Eastern Europe at other times provided deeper connection?)
My husband’s birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, and it’s always hard for me to figure out what to get for him so soon after Christmas. Now I’m excited about that game!
I’m also not much of a resolutionary. (I just made that word up. I think.) Sometimes, a scripture verse starts pressing on my mind in November/December and I post it where I can see it for the coming year, but that hasn’t happened this year. My Intuitive Eating learning process has taught me that I want to live my life as “evenly” as possible. Not stopping and starting according to rigid rules, but continually listening to what I need and making small course connections from there.
As for the anxiety, I’ve been there. I still am. Right now, I have moderate social anxiety, which has never been an issue for me before—even when “regular” anxiety was a thing for me. Last year, I took Brooke Snow’s Christian Meditation course and it really has helped me to move past my anxiety in a lot of ways. I invested in some of the music Brooke recommends and found it to be soothing to my brain. If you’re interested, look up Meditones by Tahlee Rouillon. And you need to listen to it in headphones.
Yes! I have been doing Brooke Snow’s meditation course too. It has been life changing. She also has a book called Living in Your True Identity and between the applying the principles from her book and the meditation I am managing my anxiety better than I ever have.
That’s amazing, Jamie! Thank you for sharing!
Amanda, I officially love the word “resolutionary.” Thank you for the recommendation on the meditation course and the Meditones. I appreciate it!
Mel, We finally got Skull King for Christmas and our family couldn’t stop playing it! So much fun, so loud with 4 boys but it brought us together for hours each day.
I’m so excited to hear that!!
❤️❤️❤️ I have always loved you and now you are even loved more: “society’s irrational ideas that women should not age” so today I am embracing my wrinkles…
Besides all that you are truly inspiring. I love cooking and I love your recipes. I love yoga too. My husband is even hooked. He has been doing baron baptists yoga for years. Just a video at home. Could never get him to a studio.
I should get Brian hooked on yoga, too. Both of our bodies feel like they are falling apart at the seams right now as we enter our mid-40’s. We need some restorative yoga!
1. Your Azul recommendation was our family success game.
2. Sounds like I need to do some reading on Intuitive Eating and body image.
3. I wasn’t one of the people who told you about Yoga with Adrienne but I am also a convert. She is wonderful!
4. I can understand if you aren’t comfortable but as a fellow anxiety sufferer I would love it if some time you shared a little of your experience and what helps you.
Thanks, Emily! I wouldn’t mind at all sharing more about anxiety. It’s such a personal thing for everyone (as in, those of us who have anxiety deal with it differently), but I’ll put together some thoughts for next time!
Thanks for this post. We are officially friends now (in my mind).
Haha – yay!!
Intuitive eating has freed my mind more than anything. I had no idea that I didn’t have to obsess about what I ate or what I was going to eat and how it affected my weight. I’m not even a dieter! But somehow the dos and don’ts crept into my head. Now I think about food less and when I do, it’s in a good way, like “what sounds good? What’s that recipe of Mel’s I was going to make?”
I totally agree! I’ve never been a dieter either, but man, I was stressing so much over all the unspoken “rules” of eating that are shoved at us all day every day. It’s been so freeing to approach it another way!
Thanks for this great post, Mel! I just stuck the game in my Amazon cart. If you say buy a game, I pretty much do immediately. Intuitive Eating! I listened to the older version of this book last year by the same authors, and it was life changing for me, as well. We should always focus on health and being capable as opposed to just being thin. We are roughly the same age, and I’ve had five babies, too. Healthy and capable is the best mantra!! My kids make homemade Christmas gifts for each other also – an excellent Christmas tradition. As for goals, I’m a Young Women’s leader so I’ve vowed to set one goal in each area with the girls – Physical, Social, Spiritual, and Intellectual. I like keeping goals realistic, too. Anxiety is such a thing for most of us right now! We can hang in there together. Thanks for your great blog! My family would starve without it and I always appreciate all of your ideas, food and otherwise.
Healthy and capable! YES! I love that. And I like the idea of following the YW/youth program goals. I think I could get behind that
I trust you so deeply that I will be getting Klink and Living Proof Dry Shampoo (and maybe a rock climbing pass for the fam) with confidence in the life-changing properties of each. Thank you!
Also, I’ve had my own journey with Intuitive Eating and Beauty Redefined that actually has changed my life, and I’m so grateful. May I recommend Emily Fonnesbeck RD on Instagram? She keeps the Intuitive Eating content coming in such a gentle, but also kind blowing way. Love her.
For all those reading the comments, I’m seconding Emily Fonnesbeck! Love her approach to intuitive eating.
I’m adding a third to Emily Fonnesbeck!!!
Thank you for all the recommendations for Emily – just started following her on Instagram!
I just have to say that I love YOUR guts. Especially because it brings delicious food my way . But also because of your realness. I’m a toddler mama here, and seeing your posts about family and life with older kids makes me feel like it will all work out. You’re doing awesome! Thank you for sharing your precious life with us. It’s makes us all a little better ❤️
Thank you for your kindness, Baylie!
Klask came up as the “#1 best seller in drinking games” on Amazon I thought it was really funny. I can’t wait to buy that one and give it a try!
Oh dear…
Oh my goodness, the “throat punch” so funny!! But seriously, I do hate how the world has things just so wrong as far as body image. I liked your thoughts and the quote you shared about our bodies being an instrument. We’ve always said that our bodies are a temple but I think my kids now associate that more with not coloring markers all over themselves, it took me a few years to bring markers back into our home after lots of those moments. I feel like your quote will be understood more as my kids are getting older thanks!! For holiday games we got Pandemic on an awesome Black Friday sale and have been loving it! We’ve never played a co-op type game before, it’s been a very nice thing for my super competitive husband ha! He won’t even play games if he doesn’t frequently win said games. I definitely play to win games but I find it more as a challenge to do better next time if I don’t win. Although when playing with our little kids he will let them win to make it exciting for them… I can’t. They have to learn to beat me if they want to win against me, ha! Apparently we both have some growth we could do in our game playing dept. Anyways, that was random, but thanks so much for all your posts I enjoy and read them all through!! You’re awesome!
Haha, I was laughing out loud at the competitive parents that live in your house. 🙂 🙂
That rock climbing gym is amazing. My daughter has been a few times. It’s on our family to do list. We made gifts one year as a kid. I still remember what I made but not what I got. I guess that’s the point! Our kids did that last year. It was great. My New Years resolution is to make my bed every morning. It’s continued from last years. Also finish the quilt I started seven years ago. Thanks for all the recipes! My teenage son has had a gingerbread cream cheese bar for dessert (after every meal) lol
Love those new year’s resolutions, Heather!
I went back to finish my bachelors degree in Community Health Education when I was 43. My favorite class was called Weight Management, Body Image and Self- Esteem. Our only textbook was Intuitive Eating. That book changed me. It makes me so happy when I hear that other people have been exposed to it!
I love your blog! Thanks for sharing such great recipes and ideas!
What an amazing class, Polly!! (And also, speaking of amazing…YOU are amazing for going back to finish college – my undergrad is in public health but we didn’t have a cool class like that back then)
I have recently become a huge intuitive eating fan also. I love it. It’s so freeing and shows so much self love and compassion. It’s the best. Also I really want to make one of those blankets now! They look so cozy. Thanks for your thoughts!
They are so super cozy!
Our game winner this year is Telestrations. Kind of a mix between the game Telephone and Pictionary. Lots of fun! We also got I believe its called The Upside Down Challenge Game??? Put glasses on that flips everything upside down then there are challenges etc….so so funny! There are ways to keep score in both but we played them just for the entertainment!
That upside down game sounds hilarious! We love telestrations and your comment is a good reminder we need to pull it out more!
I just love how real you are. And inspiring. I love your yearly game and gift guides and you have never steered me wrong. Every suggestion has been a hit!
I think we are a lot alike (except that I do not love cooking—I wish I did!). I also have four boys and then got my girl.
I love how similar our lives seem, Felicia – if it makes you feel any better, I definitely grew into my love of cooking!
Cracking up at the comments from your 14 year old!! Yoga has been on my mind so I appreciate your research and I now have a starting point for when my thoughts turn to action…ha! I always enjoy a “thoughts” post from you.
Thanks, Melanie!
No, I love your guts! I saw your update and then was trying to decide if I would read it immediately or save it for later in the day as a reward for getting things done…..so I quickly skimmed because I had to know what’s going on and will sit down later today for a slow read to think, visit links, and comment.
I heard this idea recently which I like. Set a small (baby step) goal each month instead of starting with waaay too much in January. I’m going to try it.
Adding Klask to our wish list now. I love your tried and true recommendations for games. We added a holiday spin off of Taco Cat (Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman) and it’s been a hit with our teens.
Love reading about you experience with Beauty Redefined and teaching your kids. May I suggest the books Body Kindness and/or Beauty Sick?
You are so cute, Emily! I’m so glad you like the Friday Thoughts posts. I enjoy putting them together – they are my favorite! Thank you for the book recommendations (and the game!).
I love your Friday Thoughts posts and appreciated the quote: “your body is an instrument not an ornament.” I find myself saying something similar to my toddler who is into everything!!! When he’s trying to climb into the oven, dishwasher or washing machine, I say, “The [fill in the blank with any appliance large or small] is not a toy. It’s a tool and we need to treat it with respect.” I may have to modify this to body image as he gets older. Sewing is hard! I made an Ursula costume complete with tentacles for my step-dad’s Halloween costume this past year, and I’d be lying if I said a a few choice words didn’t slip out of my mouth. Props to your 14-year-old and props to you for keeping life real and acknowledging that the holidays are wonderful and exhausting. I let myself recover in January and really start focusing on the year ahead in February—whatever that might entail. Happy New Year!!
A – my jaw dropped when I read about the Ursula costume COMPLETE WITH TENTACLES. I will forever bow down to your sewing prowess. Amazing.
Wow Mel, what dedication and leading by example, the blankets are gorgeous. Now my daughter (16) taught her self to crochet a number of years ago, think I might persuade her to make mum a nice warm blanket!
Last year our daughter made her dad a personlised homemadegift (with her crafty skills) that you just couldnt buy and the feeling she got from her dads elation, for her, was irreplaceable!
I also suffer with anxiety but over the years have learned to acknowledge it in the moment and slow down.
As for ‘image’ and how you ‘should be or look’ I to am learning to focus on feeling healthy, bought myself a spin bike for my birthday and I’m slowly finding my rhythm (something is better than doing nothing) no goals just being realistic with my self.
Well if you stayed to the end well done!! We all love your guts to Mel : )
I think that’s a great plan, Faye! Convince your daughter to make her dear mom a blanket! I like it! Thank you for your thoughtful comment!