Recent Revelations

Alternative post title: you probably already know this, but…

To whit: three recent revelations that have made a difference in my life, and might in yours, too.

Cottage cheese is actually… good.

Like many of our fellow Millennials, John and I are on a quest to add more protein to our diets. We’re drinking Chobani yogurt shakes, we’re eating grilled chicken, we’re switching to Banza, but it was only a matter of time before we came face-to-face with one of the most common protein-packing suggestions: cottage cheese. Pale, lumpy, suspicious-seeming cottage cheese.

Dubiously, I added some to my cart at the grocery store. We got it home, cracked open the lid, and set to experimenting. 

In a surprising turn of events, we were immediate converts, and we both eat it almost daily now.

Some of our favorite uses: anywhere we’d have put sour cream (like on tacos). Anywhere we’d have put mayonnaise (like on a turkey sandwich or to bind egg salad). Mixed with hot sauce and spooned generously over grilled chicken chunks for a quick lunch. Mixed with everything-but-the-bagel seasoning or Hidden Valley Farms powder as a ranch-like dip for raw veggies. Blended with fruit compote and a little honey then frozen (seriously so good – it tastes like cheesecake!). 

I know we are only at the beginning of our journey. Cottage cheese lovers, where should we head next?

If you want to move, wear athleisure.

While I know some of you would consider yourself recovering athleisure wearers, actively attempting to ditch the daily leggings and put on *real clothes* in the morning, as of this summer I’m a convert to the other side of the coin: ditching the jean shorts and underwire bras and embracing tennis skirts, tanks, and sports bras on a daily basis. 

Why? Yes, it’s a bit more comfortable, but my main motivation was noticing how much more willing I was to move throughout the day when already wearing workout clothes: I was more likely to go for a quick walk in the morning or at lunch, to run some stairs, to squeeze in a quick workout, to do some squats and lunges on the sidelines of a soccer game, to go for that evening walk with John. 

In a Southern summer, simply walking outside can cause instant sweating. Wearing a sports bra, in particular, makes it easier to accept this and move past it. 

I have a sedentary job, and I know that’s not healthy. Moving throughout the day matters to me. Right now, it matters more than wearing a cute outfit and coordinating accessories. Opting for athleisure most days when it’s hot is a simple way to incorporate more of what matters on a daily basis. 

And also, of course, it can be cute! You all already know about my game-changing tennis skirt and tank; my beloved Vuori tennis dress is also still going strong. My newest love is Eby bras, which marry the flexibility of a sports bra with the support and shape of a regular bra – no underwire required! I just ordered my second Relief bra yesterday and have signed up to be notified when the T-Shirt bra comes back in stock. Everything on their site is 25% off right now, too!

Packing is easier when you keep your electronics ready to go.

In the division of labor around traveling, John is the keeper of cords. He makes sure the devices that need to be charged are charged, and that both the devices and the chargers are then packed. In a modern household, this can be a lot, and gathering it all up each trip takes a small but not insignificant amount of time. 

When I traveled for work this past spring, we unearthed some of our duplicate cords to ensure that both John and I would have a set when we were apart. I popped them all in a little pouch (shout out to a circa 2007 Vera Bradley number I unearthed in my closet) and tucked it in my backpack. When I got home — since these were all extras — I just left the pouch in my backpack. A few weeks later, when packing for a weekend away, it was a revelation to know that every cord was already accounted for. 

Of course, I’m now scheming other ways we could put this revelation to use: duplicate toiletries that stay packed? Maybe some kid items? Let’s brainstorm in the comments.

And in case it’s helpful, here’s what’s currently in our electronics bag:

— iPhone charger
— Apple Watch charger
— My wireless headphones (so comfy!) and charger
— The tiniest white noise sound machine 

Now, over to you: any recent revelations in your life? Are you already a fan of cottage cheese, choosing athleisure on the daily, or keeping things packed for travel? I’d love to hear!

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