Each month I dive deep into research for this little site—testing recipes, studying ingredients, evaluating products, reading health articles and planning travel posts. That’s the “work” side of things. Inevitably I also get pulled into internet rabbit holes where one link leads to another, and suddenly I’m several pages away from where I started (often with a new Athleta top in my cart and a few SEO tips bookmarked).
Along the way I discover lots of inspiring, useful and delightful things—brands I love, websites I keep going back to, and bloggers whose work I admire. So I’m starting a new monthly favorites series: a roundup of the small discoveries and bright ideas I come across that I think you’ll enjoy, try or simply find entertaining.
Here are the highlights from this month:
- Harissa carrots with fennel and lentils that make me want to turn up the heat in the kitchen.
- If you’re at all drawn to creative pursuits (and who isn’t), Big Magic is a must-read—I finally finished it this month and it’s worth your time.
- A thought-provoking health question from Food Matters that really made me consider what health means to different people.
- I’m eyeing this skirt from Athleta for an upcoming Roaming Free adventure to Portugal—still a few months away, but it’s never too early to plan what you’ll wear.
- For anyone interested in living more naturally with confidence, Lily’s modern guide to being “an all-natural bad-ass” has some smart, practical tips.
- This passion fruit, lemon and ginger fresca sounds like the perfect thirst quencher for warmer days.
- As mentioned in a recent recipe I love, I’m obsessed with black lava salt right now—add it to your shopping list if you want a fun finishing touch.
- Vegan chai cheesecakes with Earl Grey fig sauce—need I say more? A decadent, tea-infused dessert that’s worth trying.
- Winter calls for bright citrus—five varieties that will lift your mood and brighten dishes all season.
- These wellness and fitness retreats around the world have me daydreaming about travel and self-care.
- A simple kale salad with pears is always a smart, flavorful option for lunch or a light dinner.
- Veggies stole the spotlight this month, and the “mother of all veggie bowls” is the kind of hearty, vibrant meal I keep returning to.
- One powerful message to start the year: don’t carry regrets. The clean-slate experiment video was emotional in the best way and a great reminder to let go and move forward.
That’s a wrap for this month’s favorites—small discoveries, tasty recipes and thoughtful moments that inspired me. I’ll be back next month with more finds to share.