Here’s an update of what I’ve been into this month. Summer, please don’t go! ☀️
Eating
Core Life Eatery has been open near us for well over a year and I JUST started eating there this month. What took me so long? So many great salad and bowl options that are healthy and filling. Glad to see more fast options like this open up lately since you can only eat so much Chipotle.
Doing
The Bar Method. This new barre studio opened up in Wexford and I love it! Usually, I just kind of wing it at barre. I even didn’t like it when I first tried it. But Bar Method actually fixes and helps you the entire class, calling you by name personally. I love their approach and the owner Mandy, and studio director Carrie are just so nice. I can’t wait to take a class before the Liberty Mile run downtown Pittsburgh on August 9.
Being a dog mom! My husband and I adopted Hugo last weekend from The Foster Farm are so in love with this sweet guy! Getting a dog had been on our radar but nothing serious, but when our neighbors fostered him and we met him, we knew he was ours. I am loving it.
Summer Friday-ing: Gotta take advantage of these summer days! Last week I played tennis with a friend then grabbed a paddleboard and hit the water for an hour. I discovered paddleboarding about five years ago and absolutely love it (and paddleboard yoga).
Watching
The Chef Show on Netflix. Ever see the movie Chef with Jon Favreau? He was trained by chef Roy Choi, so the two of them have taken the movie to the streets and make amazing dishes (from the movie and beyond) with chefs and celebrities. I almost had to leave the house at 10 p.m. when I saw the episode where they made the Cuban sandwich!
Reading
100 Things to Do In Pittsburgh Before You Die
A few weeks ago I went to a book signing for Rossilynne Skena Culgan (she is also the director of The Incline, one of my favorite Pittsburgh newsletters). She wrote the new edition of 100 Things to Do In Pittsburgh Before You Die, a Pittsburgh bucket list for all. At her signing at Penguin Book Shop in Sewickley (cutest bookstore), Rossilynne dropped some Pittsburgh knowledge I had never even known about, and I’ve lived here a long time! This book is helpful for fun ideas for gifts, out of town guests or visitors to Pittsburgh, or just a fun way to change up your weekend.
The Toll: Women Have To Be The Best, And That Has A Cost
Read a recent Forbes article that was super interesting (and frustrating). It stated that women who are told (or perceived) they can’t do something often feel pressure to prove that stereotype wrong, and it leads to a reduction in cognitive ability and increased anxiety. They try to overperform and this backfires. It’s hard to excel when you are constantly told you can’t. Read it here.
The Antidote to Hustle Culture
Another great Forbes read from the perspective of 1-800-GOT-JUNK founder Brian Scudamore.
“In my opinion, hustle culture has missed the point of what work is all about. It’s not about spending every ounce of brain power to #riseandgrind. To me, being the last person in and the last person out doesn’t prove your worth. There’s something to be said for knowing your limits and having the freedom to take a break.”
YES, Brian! Read more here.
5 Grown-Up Versions of Your Favorite Childhood Recipes
Ain’t no shame in still eating mac and cheese and chicken fingers. Loved this article with the grown-up versions from Pure Wow.
And on a final note, my birthday is Wednesday, so I’ll be ringing in 35 in style this week! 🥂
