1st Week // JULY
TO READ (May): If you are one of the many that have ventured on the road to plant motherhood, this Ode to Pothos is for you. “A plant, then, is fertile ground to act out the trial and error inherent to emerging adulthood, a low-risk investment in discovering the type of person you are.” And as always with the internet, come for the article, stay for the comments. Like this one: “For every gorgeous house plant that I have, there are 3 that never made it. Get many different kinds of plants in your space, and keep the 25% that look good. I tell my friends ‘I am running a modeling agency here, not a soup kitchen for plants.’”
TO READ?EAT (Caroline): I’ve been on the kombucha train for a while, ever since it healed a patch of plantar warts on my foot (TMI?). And ever since, I’ve been tending to give western medicine the boot in favor of more homeopathic trends (but I’m too poor to really get on the essential oil train.) In my search through the Atlantic Magazine website's health section I found this article from about the many supposed health benefits of everyone’s favorite dairy product- yogurt. We all know the good stuff has probiotics, but it has been shown to help with inflammation and blood sugar levels, but scientists aren’t sure how. But honestly, who cares?! Grab a spoon!
TO MAKE (May): Let’s say you have a big party coming up and need a cheap, inexpensive side. You also want to avoid turning on your oven because it feels like your skin will melt off if you do. What about sweet potatoes in the crock pot? Wash and pat dry, prick each one all over, and place inside the crock pot. Cook for 1.5-2 hours on high (more if you have some large taters), checking periodically for doneness. Serve with browned butter and honey. Get the recipe here.
TO WATCH (Caroline): This movie is a couple of years old, but it continues to be my and my husband’s favorite. It’s called Hunt for the Wilderpeople and it’s the cutest, funniest, silliest, heart-warmingist movie ever. If you like chubby kids who think they’re super gangster AND liked Thor: Ragnorak, then you’ll adore this. It’s directed by the same New Zealand genius Taika Waititi. It’s not on Netflix, but it is on Hulu. You can also rent it on Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play, so there’s no excuse not to see it! Right now! May’s note: Caroline’s one request before she and Jono left St. Louis was to watch this movie together with her nearest and dearest. Her obsession quotient is high with this one.
TO TRY (May): When you love to cook and eat as much as I do, you also learn to love not hate exercise. I much prefer taking classes than going at it alone in the gym. I joined Classpass a few years ago at the recommendation of a friend (thanks, Lauren!) and 400 classes later, am still obsessed. I’ve tried just about everything: yoga (aerial, hot, restorative, vinyasa), boxing, barre, spin, pilates, circuit training, crossfit, dance. How it works: for a flat monthly rate, you get a certain number of credits that you can use towards their network of studios. Credit values differ for a class depending on the time of day and how many spots they have left. Depending on the plan, you can take up to 4 classes a month at a studio. And if you can’t make it to a class, the app has a repository of classes you can follow from home. If it’s available in your area, give it a try! Bonus: Sign up with this link for $30 off. Side note: this is not a paid advertisement. I just really like Classpass.
TO SEASON (Caroline): My family has sworn by McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning for the better part of two decades ever since my dad got a hot tip from one of his buddies. This fourth of July, sprinkle it on anything you’re grilling, and it will be a bomb of flavor in your mouth. My other favorite thing to do with it is sprinkle it on some roasted brussel sprouts just before they come out of the oven, then top with a little parmesan cheese.