Favorite Things
Hi friend! Welcome back to my weekly (or bi-weekly; don’t judge, life gets busy!) dose of my favorite things. In this week’s edition, I’m sharing about a change I made and how that impacted me in more ways than one!
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Tennis Life Lessons
I enjoy playing tennis for fun and I’m on a few competitive tennis teams, too. I recently made a bold move and switched teams.
This was a personal decision, one that ruffled a few feathers and left me grappling with the not-so-glamorous reality of disappointing others.
I’m a natural people-pleaser. I live for smiles, nod along with enthusiasm, and generally prioritize harmony over conflict. But this time? A niggling voice kept whispering, “A change would do you good.”
And you know what? I decided Sheryl Crow was right. So, I took a deep breath, swallowed my “yes-woman” tendencies, and made the switch.
The fallout, as expected, was a bit messy. A few raised eyebrows, a couple of awkward conversations, and the distinct feeling of being a disappointment.
But here’s the thing: amidst the discomfort, I discovered something amazing; being okay with disappointing others doesn’t have to mean you’re a bad person. In fact, it can be a sign of growth, of prioritizing your own well-being and authenticity over external validation.
This tennis-turned-life lesson has been a doozy. It’s thrown my people-pleasing comfort zone into a blender, forced me to face my fear of conflict, and ultimately, shown me the strength to stand my ground.
And guess what? The world didn’t crumble. Sure, some feathers remain ruffled, but my inner voice is singing a sweet melody of self-respect.
So, this week, my “favorite thing” is the unexpected courage to choose myself, to ruffle a few feathers for the sake of my own happiness, and the realization that it’s okay, even necessary, to disappoint others sometimes. It’s a messy, uncomfortable, but ultimately empowering victory lap around my own boundaries.
Bonus: This week’s self-care tip? Prioritize self-awareness. Listen to that niggling voice inside. It might just be whispering your next big leap. And remember, sometimes, the most delicious dish you can serve yourself is a plate of unapologetic authenticity.
What are some tough decisions you’ve had to make that ruffled feathers? I’d love to hear from you. Share your stories in the comments below!
Now, onto some other juicy tidbits!
Self-Care
Lately, my go-to self-care routine has been all about slowing down. A morning cup of herbal tea with my dog, Otis, curled up next to me, a long walk with Shawn, and rediscovering the joy of journaling—it’s all about simple moments of quiet connection with myself.
Home
I’m all about hygge these days. Do you know this concept? It’s a Danish word for cozy contentment, wrapped in the warmth of loved ones, flickering candlelight, and simple pleasures. It’s the exhale after a long day, the sigh of a happy soul nestled into the comfort of home.
So, if you’re craving a cozy winter vibe like me, try this: String fairy lights around your windows, bake a batch of vegan cinnamon rolls, and snuggle up with a good book by the fireplace (or a virtual fireplace on YouTube, no judgment!). Instant hygge right there in your living room.
Reading
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I’m diving into “Beyond That the Sea” by Laura Spence-Ash right now. I believe it’s a historical fiction novel about children who were sent from the UK to the United States in the 1940s to avoid the bombing as a result of World War II. So far, it’s a captivating blend of adventure and emotion, keeping me glued to the pages.
I also recently read, Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book was pretty good, but I’ll be honest, I was clueless about a major part of the book. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but let’s just say there’s a doozy in this one!
I tried reading This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs. Yes, that Susanna Hoffs. But the problem is, I’m an audio book gal and this book was read by the author. This is rarely a good idea. And that was the case with this book, too. I could not make it past the first chapter. So, it may be a good enough book to read, but it’s terrible as a listen.
Watching
We made time for TV this month, and here are some favorites:
- The Great British Bakeoff. Netflix. I absolutely love this show! I don’t know if the UK is just full of amazing people or if they do a wonderful job of picking people for this show, but I love all the bakers and even the judges. This latest season is proving to be lots of fun to watch!
- Everything Everywhere All at Once. We watched this one on Amazon Prime and it was very entertaining. I highly recommend it!
- Men of a Certain Age — Max. This stars Ray Ramano, Andre Bragher, and Scott Bakula. We discovered it when Ray Ramano was interviewed by Bill Maher on Real Time. This show is really good and worth a watch!
Kitchen
Food Tips I’m Loving: My current kitchen obsession is roasted root vegetables. Toss them with olive oil, fresh herbs, and a sprinkle of sea salt, then roast until tender and caramelized. They’re the perfect side dish or a cozy lunch all on their own. For a sweet treat, I’m loving these energy bites made with dates, nuts, and seeds – healthy, delicious, and perfect for on-the-go mornings.
- No Knead Bread — I love making this bread because it’s so easy, flavorful, and healthy, too!
- Soup — We are all about the soups this time of year, especially our go-to favorite, Plant-Based Minestrone. We have a new favorite I’ll be sharing with you this week.
- Cookies — I made a lot of cookies this week. One of my favorite recipes is these Vegan Snowball Cookies. It’s a perfect cookie for the holidays.
- A New Sweetener — I watched this video about the health benefits of allulose and now I’m all about it. I ordered this Allulose Sweetener and it arrived within two days. Now I use it every day to sweeten my tea and sometimes I’ll add it to plant-based yogurt.
Reader Spotlight
Here’s a review of my creamy Plant-Based Ermine Frosting. Serve this less sweet frosting on your favorite cakes, like this vegan wacky cake recipe.
Reader Reviews
★★★★★
Auj
Excellent!! Brilliant!! Fantastic!! I have just made this for my chicory walnut cake and it is superb!
Recently On Namely Marly
Here are my recently published recipes.
Plant-Based Christmas Donuts
Strawberry Penguins
Silken Tofu Yogurt
Vegan Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Most Popular Posts This Week
- Dairy-free Chocolate Fudge — It’s not surprising that chocolate fudge is trending on Christmas week. This fudge is so easy to make – it must be why it’s everyone’s favorite!
- Dairy-free Evaporated Milk — This one came in as a surprise, but it’s a great addition to my vegan pumpkin pie recipe so maybe that’s why it’s trending!
- Vegan Xmas Crack — This tasty caramel chocolate treat is so easy to make and having a vegan version makes it popular this time of year!
- Christmas Chocolate Chip Sprinkle Cookies — I love making these cookies with Christmas sprinkles baked right in!
- Vegan Thanksgiving Casserole — All the flavors of the holiday season are baked into this casserole, with layers of stuffing, roasted potatoes, gravy, and protein-rich tofu on top.
Meal Plan
Here’s a 7-day meal plan starting on Monday with savory meals during the week and sweet treats on the weekend:
Monday: Day 1 — One-Pan Lemon Garlic Roasted Tofu with Asparagus (simple and flavorful)
Tuesday Day 2 — Spicy Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Avocado and Cashew Cream on toasted buns (satisfying and plant-based)
Wednesday Day 3 — Creamy Chickpea Coconut Curry with some easy Vegan Baked Naan on the side.
Thursday Day 4 — Sticky Sesame Chickpeas pair perfectly with this Vegan Rangoon Dip.
Friday Day 5 — Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with Mashed Potatoes (budget-friendly and hearty) (Add cooked lentils)
Saturday Day 6 — Make some Lentil Meatballs and serve them over spaghetti and marina sauce. Don’t forget these soft vegan breadsticks!
- Breakfast: Fluffy Fruity Pancakes with berries baked inside and served with maple syrup (light and decadent)
- Dinner: Vegan Beef Stew with sauteed mushrooms and No Knead Artisan Bread (impressive and cozy)
- Dessert: Plant-Based Apple Crisp with Plant-based Vanilla Ice Cream (warm and comforting)
Sunday Day 7
- Breakfast: Vegan Just Egg Quiche (quick and luxurious)
- Dinner: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Jackfruit Sandwiches with Vegan Coleslaw (perfect for leftovers)
- Dessert: Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with the perfect chocolate frosting (rich and satisfying).
Meal Plan Tips
- Substitute ingredients based on your preferences and dietary needs.
- Repurpose leftovers for lunch the next day.
- Batch cook grains like rice or quinoa on the weekend for easy sides throughout the week.
- Don’t forget healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, and nuts to keep you energized.
Closing Thoughts
Remember, friends, life is a banquet. Be bold, be true to yourself, and don’t forget to savor every little bite, both sweet and savory. Until next week, happy exploring, happy reading, and happy eating!
I’m so glad you’re here and a part of this journey. Thank you so much for your continued support. It means the world to me.
I’d love to hear from you — so feel free to leave a comment below or send me a note via email.
Wishing you positivity and delicious eats. Until next time!
With love and plant-powered vibes,
Marly